Current methodology of therapeutic causality assessment can be traced back to four underlying paradigms: (1) empirical scientific judgment relies on experimentation (paradigm of experiment), (2) causality assessment requires repeated observations (paradigm of large numbers), (3) observed results must be compared with results of control observations (paradigm of comparison), and (4) observed objects or patients must be distributed to verum and control group by chance (paradigm of randomization). Problematic aspects of conventional methodology and the historical evolution of contemporary causality assessment illustrate the necessity and possibility of methodological alternatives. A fundamental alternative is offered by figural correspondence and figural experiments, which allow valid causality assessments in single-case situations without blinding, randomization, comparison, or large numbers of observations. The epistemological foundation of such single-case causality assessment is explained. Examples from clinical judgment are presented. Single-case causality assessment may be particularly appropriate for therapy judgment in complementary medicine.

Citation: Kiene, H., & Von Schoen-Angerer, T. (1998). Single-case causality assessment as a basis for clinical judgment. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 4, 41–47.

Summary
If clinical evidence for the effectiveness and specifity of homoeopathic potencies further accumulates, preclinical research into the nature of homoeopathic dilutions will develop into an important research area of pharmacology. General methodological standards for preclinical investigations of homoeopathic potencies are discussed in order to improve the quality of future research. Beside the classical standards of the experimental sciences, special attention has to be given to the preparation of homoeopathic potencies and corresponding controls. A combined use of i) agitated but not diluted solvent and ii) untreated solvent is proposed as the most appropriate control within an investigation into possible effects of homoeopathic potencies.

Key Words
Methodology, Preclinical research, Homoeopathy, Anthroposophical medicine, Homoeopathic dilutions, Potencies

Citation: Baumgartner, S., Heusser, P., & Thurneysen, S. (1998). Methodological Standards and Problems in Preclinical Homoeopathic Potency Research. Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 5, 27–32. https://doi.org/10.1159/000021071