Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / This study was intended to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic simillimum in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The sample group consisted of women between the ages of eighteen and forty, living in the greater Durban area. PMS is a condition characterized by nervousness, irritability, anxiety, depression, and possibly headaches, oedema, and mastalgia, occurring during the 7 to 10 days before and usually disappearing a few hours after the onset of menses (Beers and Berkow, 1999:1932-1933). 75% of all women suffer from PMS to some degree (Hayman, 1996). A total of 39 participants with PMS were selected for the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria (Chapter 3). Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups (treatment and placebo) according to the randomisation sheet. There were 12 withdrawals from the study. 27 of the participants completed the study of which, 14 were on placebo treatment and 13 on active treatment. The treatment followed the initial consultation, which consisted of 3 powders containing either active ingredient (i.e. simillimum) or matching placebo and a 20ml bottle of liquid containing either active ingredient or placebo. Each participant was required to take one powder daily for three days from day 10 of their menstrual cycle followed by liquid treatment daily till onset of menstruation. Each participant had 3 consultations with the researcher over a 3 month period; each consultation a month apart. Menstrual Distress Questionnaires (Appendix A) were completed by the participants at each consultation. The data accumulated via the questionnaires was evaluated using non-parametric tests and analyzed statistically using the Wilcoxon’s Signed rank iv test and the Kruskal Wallis test. The results were analysed at a 95% confidence rating with p ≤ 0.05. Data was analysed using the SPSS (version 15.1 ®) for Windows ® statistical software suite. The intra-group analysis showed statistically significant changes in the subgroups of water retention (p=.020) and appetite changes (p=.010) in the Treatment Group. The Placebo Group showed statistical significant changes in the subgroups of concentration (p=.029), autonomic reaction (p=.013) and appetite changes (p=.035). The inter-group analysis failed to reveal any statistical significance. Therefore, the conclusion is that homoeopathic simillimum was not effective in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). There were clinical improvements noted by participants during the study which suggest that more research into the treatment of PMS should be conducted. Studies with a larger sample group over a longer time frame with daily outcome measures would give a better indication of the efficacy of the homoeopathic simillimum on premenstrual syndrome.

Menopausal symptoms are common causes for women to seek treatment. The severity of symptoms vary from patient to patient and reduces the quality of life for many women. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, some not until 60 and some at an early age in their thirties or forties (Stoppler, 2008). Aim This study aimed to offer an alternative form of treatment for women that are experiencing the unpleasant symptoms that are experienced with menopause, since hormone replacement therapy, may have adverse effects in some women (Wang-Cheng, 2007). This double-blind placebo controlled study investigated the efficacy of a complementary formulation of Folliculinum D6 and Five-Flower Formula™, (Folliculinum D6, Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum ) in the treatment of menopausal symptoms in terms of participants’ perception of the treatment. iii This formula is currently available commercially as an unregistered product trading under the name of Femme Rosa. This formula was developed by Dr Maharaj, and is prepared by Natura®. The formula consists of Folliculinum D6 and Five-Flower Formula™. Methodology A total of 60 female participants who were going through natural menopause and currently experiencing menopausal symptoms took part in the study. They were randomly assigned according to the randomization sheet drawn up by the supervisor, 29 participants to the treatment group and 31 to the placebo group. The study was conducted over a period of six weeks and participants were required to attend two consultations at the Homoeopathic Day Clinic at the Durban University of Technology. Participants were recruited according to the inclusion criteria set out. During the first consultation the participants completed the Greene Climacteric Scale questionnaire and a concise case history was taken, thereafter each patient was handed two hot flush diaries to be completed one week before treatment and during the sixth week of treatment. Each participant was required to take one tablet every morning and evening for 6 weeks. Six weeks after the first consultation participants attended the second consultation and the Greene Climacteric Scale was completed for the final time and the hot flush diaries collected. iv Results The results of the first questionnaire and hot flush diary were used as a baseline for statistical analyses. As each group consisted of 29 and 31 subjects, non-parametric tests were used for data analysis. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 15.0. Conclusion An improvement was demonstrated in both treatment and placebo groups after treatment yet this improvement was not statistically significant. The only symptoms that improved in the treatment group were the hot flushes and psychological symptoms however, there were no significant differences between the treatment and placebo group. It was concluded that the complementary formulation of Folliculinum D6 and Five-Flower Formula™ was not statistically effective in the treatment of menopausal symptoms in terms of the participants’ perception of the treatment.

No description available.

The number of women living with a breast cancer diagnosis will continue to increase with growing breast cancer incidence rates, greater utilization of early detection, and longer length of survival times. The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is likely to increase as well, making it important to determine the nature and extent of CAM use in this population. This study explored CAM use and the influence of the control constructs in the context of the theory of cognitive adaptation. Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed with 551 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Portland, Oregon. Results indicated that two-thirds (66%) of the women used at least one CAM therapy during the past 12 months. The majority of women had high perceptions of cancer control and believed the CAM therapies were important in influencing the course of the cancer. Logistical regression analysis found that significant demographic predictors of CAM use were younger age, higher education, and private insurance. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to refine and test the construct validation of the Cancer Locus of Control scale. Results supported a three-factor model (control over cause of cancer, control over course of cancer, and religious control of cancer) of the scale. Results of multinomial logistical regression indicated that higher perceptions of control over the course of the cancer significantly predicted CAM use in three categories. Religious control over the cancer was not a predictor of CAM use. The findings from this study will help health care professionals and policy makers identify patient needs that go beyond surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and address patient-centered health-related goals and outcomes for optimal health and recovery from breast cancer. / Graduation date: 2002

Agitated behaviours in dementia elderly predispose to negative outcomes. Music intervention is an evidence-based intervention that could help to ease the situation. The integrative and systematic review studies provide evidence that music intervention is effective in reducing agitated behaviours in dementia elderly. The assessment of the implementation potential, the feasibility and transferability demonstrate the music intervention can be implemented in local setting. An evidence-based guideline based on the reviewed papers is developed to use in local HK hospitals or nursing homes. With the help of an effective communication plan to the stakeholders, it is believed that the intervention can be smoothly implemented. Further evaluation helps to review the potentials for sustaining the intervention in the long run. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / This study was intended to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic simillimum in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The sample group consisted of women between the ages of eighteen and forty, living in the greater Durban area. PMS is a condition characterized by nervousness, irritability, anxiety, depression, and possibly headaches, oedema, and mastalgia, occurring during the 7 to 10 days before and usually disappearing a few hours after the onset of menses (Beers and Berkow, 1999:1932-1933). 75% of all women suffer from PMS to some degree (Hayman, 1996). A total of 39 participants with PMS were selected for the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria (Chapter 3). Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups (treatment and placebo) according to the randomisation sheet. There were 12 withdrawals from the study. 27 of the participants completed the study of which, 14 were on placebo treatment and 13 on active treatment. The treatment followed the initial consultation, which consisted of 3 powders containing either active ingredient (i.e. simillimum) or matching placebo and a 20ml bottle of liquid containing either active ingredient or placebo. Each participant was required to take one powder daily for three days from day 10 of their menstrual cycle followed by liquid treatment daily till onset of menstruation. Each participant had 3 consultations with the researcher over a 3 month period; each consultation a month apart. Menstrual Distress Questionnaires (Appendix A) were completed by the participants at each consultation. The data accumulated via the questionnaires was evaluated using non-parametric tests and analyzed statistically using the Wilcoxon’s Signed rank iv test and the Kruskal Wallis test. The results were analysed at a 95% confidence rating with p ≤ 0.05. Data was analysed using the SPSS (version 15.1 ®) for Windows ® statistical software suite. The intra-group analysis showed statistically significant changes in the subgroups of water retention (p=.020) and appetite changes (p=.010) in the Treatment Group. The Placebo Group showed statistical significant changes in the subgroups of concentration (p=.029), autonomic reaction (p=.013) and appetite changes (p=.035). The inter-group analysis failed to reveal any statistical significance. Therefore, the conclusion is that homoeopathic simillimum was not effective in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). There were clinical improvements noted by participants during the study which suggest that more research into the treatment of PMS should be conducted. Studies with a larger sample group over a longer time frame with daily outcome measures would give a better indication of the efficacy of the homoeopathic simillimum on premenstrual syndrome.

中風後抑鬱症（ Post-strok Depression, PSD ）的發生率，在中風後患者中佔有較大比例，嚴重影響患者的康復。國外研究結果顯示中風後抑鬱症的發病率為28%-56%而國內臨床相關文獻提示中風後抑鬱的患病率大致為20% - 50%。臨床中存在有許多繼發於中風的抑鬱患者，診療未受到關注的現狀。而一些接受治療的病人，也因長期口服抗抑鬱藥導致副作用愈發突出。與此同時，針灸治療抑鬱的臨床優勢已經得到國內外醫學界的重視與肯定。本文著重以近10 年來針灸治療中風後抑鬱症的文獻為主進行研究，總結關於該病因病機及有特色針灸療法的最新研究進展，歸納選穴處方的規律特點，進而在已有研究基礎上融人自己的見解，對於PSD 這種身心疾病的治療提出相關值得探討的問題與對今後研究的展望。新近的國內外研究提示，在針灸治療中風後抑鬱領域目前主要有毫針針刺和特種針法，並結合電針、配合藥物以及心理健康教育等方法，可以促進中風後患者抑鬱情緒的調整，且一定程度上也加強其他肢體功能以及神經功能的康復。同時針刺在治療的臨床研究方面也已取得較大進展，部分實驗已設立自身前後對照研究及其他藥物或針刺對照比較觀察，在診斷及評定療效標準時使用了量表及統計分析，增強了療效的可信度及可比性。一些課題也已進入實驗室研究，從神經遞質、神經內分泌方面探求針刺治療PSD 的機制，並取得一定的進展。本研究得出今後應該加強隨機大樣本對照的前瞻性設計實驗的結論，認為中風後抑鬱症的臨床分型、穴位配伍、針刺手法、刺激量大小以及療效評價等方面，均將成為針灸治療本病的繼續研究之探索方向。

M. Tech. / Cervical Facet Syndrome is a condition characterised by neck pain and decreased mobility of the cervical spine (Bovim et al., 1994). It is essentially the dysfunction of the posterior joints in the neck where muscle hypertonicity causes the ligaments to shorten (Gatterman, 1995). There is a high prevalence of Cervical Facet Syndrome in industrialised countries leading to a loss in productivity and costly expenditure in terms of treatment (Jordan et al., 1998). The aim of this research study was to assess the efficacy of treatment with injectables of the Anthroposophical medicine Disci comp. cum Argento on the symptoms of Cervical Facet Syndrome. These symptoms include pain and a decrease in range of motion. Pain was assessed using two questionnaires, namely the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain (Annexure D) and the Vernon Mior Neck Pain Disability Index (Annexure E). Range of motion was measured using the Cervical Range of Motion Goniometer (Annexure F). This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty participants, male and female between the ages of 18 and 40 who had been pre-diagnosed with Cervical Facet Syndrome were recruited to participate in the research study. The study was conducted over a period of three weeks. On day one, participants were requested to complete a Consent Form (Annexure B), a Participant Profile (Annexure C), and the two questionnaires used to assess pain. Range of motion was measured by the researcher. The group was then randomly divided into two groups with 15 participants per group. The experimental group received subcutaneous injections of Disci comp. cum Argento and the control group received subcutaneous injections of saline. These injections were administered by the researcher and repeated three times a week for two weeks so that each participant received a total of six injections. A final assessment without treatment was completed in the third week. The two questionnaires and range of motion measurements were repeated at the third, sixth and seventh or final assessment. . The results of this study indicated that although both the remedy and placebo groups showed improvements, there was no significant difference in these improvements between the groups for the results obtained for the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain, Vernon Mior Neck Pain Disability Index and measurements of flexion, left rotation and left lateral flexion. There was however, significant differences in improvement between the visits in favour of the remedy group for measurements of extension, right rotation and right lateral flexion.

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Insulin resistance is defined as the impaired ability of plasma insulin to facilitate peripheral glucose disposal, suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis and inhibit very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) output (Caceres et al., 2008). Insulin resistance is not a disease, but rather a feature and attribute of the Metabolic Syndrome, which is associated with a high risk of developing type two diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (Brewer, 2005). Insulin resistance (IR) is globally regarded as the common and fundamental aetiological factor of the various components of the Metabolic Syndrome namely abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance and hypertension (Zimmet, 1991; Haffner et al., 1992 Stern, 1997; Beck Nielson & Groop, 1994; Tsai et al., 2012). Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a rapidly growing worldwide epidemic, but only diagnosed once the underlying metabolic abnormalities have caused damage. The fact that many recently diagnosed diabetic patients already suffer from so called “late complications of diabetes” indicates that the pre-diabetic condition is harmful to health and needs to be addressed promptly to slow down or avoid the progression to diabetes mellitus type 2 (Beck Nielson & Groop, 1994; Brewer, 2005; Tsai et al., 2012). Treatment of insulin resistance proves very difficult as dietary and lifestyle choices play an integral role in the development, treatment and management of insulin resistance; and insulin resistant patients also seem resistant to changing their behaviour (Brewer, 2005). Current conventional treatment options are limited in efficacy and may be associated with significant side-effects (Brewer, 2005; Snyman, 2009; Neal, 2003), while coherent studies on combination complementary forms of treatment are lacking (Chen et al., 2003; Guan et al., 2000; Hull, 2008; Verma et al., 1998; Winston & Kuhn, 2007; Ye et al., 2001). This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the herbal and nutritional formulation Glucostate™ in FoodState® form, on the HOMA index of insulin resistant patients. This was a collaborative randomized double-blind and double-dummy placebo controlled quantitative research study that included 40 participants. Due to the inherent nature of associated race, age and gender bias, participants were matched according to these criteria and randomly allocated to either an experimental or control group (Appendix C). The placebo group was shared between two collaborative studies. Participants volunteered to participate in the study, were between the ages of 20-45 years and consented to the procedures of the study. Participants in the treatment group received Glucostate™ tablets and placebo drops and the participants in the placebo group received placebo tablets and placebo drops. The research study was conducted over a period of 16 weeks per participant at the University of Johannesburg Health Training Centre, Doornfontein Campus. Participants were asked to maintain their original lifestyle and diet and continue as is normal for them, as alterations in weight have an effect on insulin levels. Participants were screened using blood pressure, abdominal girth, height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI); these measurements were repeated at weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16. Fasting blood tests consisting of a lipogram, fasting glucose and fasting insulin level were done prior to and at the conclusion of the study. The Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index was calculated from the fasting insulin and glucose values. Results acquired from the research study were statistically analyzed by Statkon at the University of Johannesburg by means of descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric tests. The only parameters which showed statistically significant improvement for the Glucostate™ group and not the placebo group were systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p=0.004) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.050). There was no statistically significant change in any of the other parameters when compared to placebo. This research study determined that Glucostate™ was not effective in reducing insulin resistance and the parameters directly associated with its measurement especially when compared to the effects of placebo.

M.Tech. / The plants Salacia leptoclada and Warburgia salutaris possess antioxidant properties and are commonly used in Southern Africa for the treatment of inflammatory and other diseases. In order to determine their therapeutic use in crystalline silica-induced injury, the extracts of S. leptoclada and W. salutaris were investigated on silica-induced increased levels of (i) TNF-a, IL-113, INF-y, (ii) the activation of the transcription factor NE-KB, and (iii) the induction of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. Through its antioxidant property, W. salutaris exhibited a protective effect against crystalline silica-induced inflammatory cytokine expression, NF-KB activation and DNA strand breakage. The extracts of W. salutaris also inhibited cellular membrane peroxidation induced by crystalline silica. Similarly, the extracts of S. leptoclada showed protection of cells against crystalline silica-induced membrane peroxidation. However, S. leptoclada proved ineffective in protecting against silica-induced DNA damage, proinflammatory cytokine expression and NF-KB activation. Since crystalline silica-induced inflammation, NE-KB activation, DNA damage and lipid peroxidation are involved in the process of crystalline silica-induced fibrogenecity and carcinogenicity, W. salutaris may be a potential therapeutic agent against crystalline silica-induced cellular injury.