M.Tech. (Homeopathy) / Insulin resistance (IR) is a metabolic derangement and a documented clinical feature of the metabolic syndrome. It is an important risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is often characterized by an increased Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index and hyperinsulinaemia, but it may also be present without increased insulin levels. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors characterized by visceral adiposity (a girth exceeding 102cm in men and 88cm in women), dyslipidaemia (low HDL and raised triglycerides levels), hypertension and dysglycaemia, particularly raised fasting blood glucose levels, predisposing individuals to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Diaglukon™ Dr Reckeweg R40 is formulated as an adjunct in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus to assist in lowering the blood glucose (hyperglycaemia). The aim of the research was to evaluate and document its efficacy in the treatment of insulin resistance. A cohort of forty five participants between the ages of nineteen to forty five years was randomized into a double blind placebo controlled, 16 week, clinical study. Participants were matched according to age, race and gender. Anthropometric evaluation consisted of weight, height, BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure readings; these were recorded at 4 weekly intervals for sixteen weeks. Metabolic data included fasting insulin, glucose and a full lipogram at baseline (Week 0) and at study conclusion (Week 16). The insulin and glucose was used to calculate the HOMA index as a measure of insulin resistance (IR). Non parametric statistical analysis was conducted on all parameters using the SPSS statistical programme...

M.Tech. / This research was conducted to determine the effect of homoeopathic treatment on acute gout patients. Putterman (1994) conducted a research study on the effect of the homoeopathic remedy Colchicum autumnale in gout, and found partial improvement in the clinical picture of gout. No research has been conducted in South Africa on the efficacy of homoeopathic medicines in acute gout patients. This study focused on the homoeopathic Law of Similars, where a single most similar homoeopathic remedy was chosen according to the unique characteristic symptoms displayed by each participant suffering with acute gout. This was a qualitative study that used ten subjects who presented within five days of acute gout and participated in the fifteen-day study period. Participants that complied with the American College of Rheumatology (formerly American Rheumatism Association, ACR) criteria for gout were selected. Serum uric acid tests were taken on day 0 and day 6 to assess hyperuricemia. On day 0 a thorough case history and examination was taken followed by administration of the indicated remedy. Treatment efficacy was evaluated on day 1, 3 and 6, based on daily subjective impression of participant involvement, objective analysis and comparative analysis of serum uric acid. Re-examination for relapses or rebound attacks followed on day 15. In a study using allopathic remedies in acute gout, resolution of all acute gout symptoms occurred at an average of 8 days using indomethacin and 7 days using triamcinolone (Alloway et. al., 1993). In this study using homoeopathic similimum treatment, resolution of all acute gout symptoms occurred at an average of 6 days. One episode of a rebound gout attack occurred and serum uric acid decreased in 80% of patients. Homoeopathic similimum prescribing is an effective alternative treatment for acute gout. Although more research is required, the preliminary findings of this study suggest that the correct homoeopathic similimum treatment is an effective treatment for the symptoms of acute gout.

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Influenza is a highly infectious illness caused by the influenza A or B viruses. Together with the high infectivity rates, relatively short incubation period and the genetic lability of the influenza virus, influenza can cause overwhelming epidemics and thus become extremely problematic to world public health (Bannister et al., 1996: 131-134). Influenza and influenza-like syndromes are responsible for one third of absenteeism in the workplace and it is due to this that prophylactic and curative measures have become necessary (papp et al., 1998: 69-76). In homoeopathyit is known that treatment of an epidemic with the genus epidemicus remedy should be effective in the majority of cases (Kent, 1979: 33-39). This remedy is carefully chosen on account of its similarity to the main presenting symptoms displayed in all cases of the respective year's influenza picture. The aim of this study . was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the genus epidemicus remedy indicated for the current year's influenza epidemic, namely Arsenicum album. It was administered in a 30CH potency. The efficacy of the genus epidemicus remedy in the treatment of influenza was assessed by investigating the intensity and duration of influenza symptoms over a specified period of time, this being four days, in a suitable sample group. The sample group was selected and obtained in a clinical setting. The sample group was randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group of fifteen participants respectively. Symptoms were monitored with the use of a questionnaire (Appendix C). Placebos were administered to the control group and Arsenicum album 30CH was administered to the experimental group. The medication was administered as a single dose of five pillules three times daily. The first dose of medication was administered in the clinician's office on commencement of the study and the following. six doses were to be taken three times daily, in the morning, at lunch and in the evening, by the participants themselves. Data was analysed by means of the Mann-Whitney statistical test. The experimental and control groups were analysed separately. Group A was determined to be the control group and Group B was determined to be the experimental group. Effectiveness ofArsenicum album 30CH in the treatment of influenza was defined as a statistically significant greater decrease in the symptom severity over time in the experimental group, Group B, as compared with the control group, Group A. From statistical evaluation it was determined that the homoeopathic remedy, Arsenicum album 30CH, was the indicated genus epidemicus remedy for the influenza epidemic of the winter of 2001. It was further determined that Arsenicum album 30CH was effective in reducing the severity of symptoms of influenza or influenza-like syndrome and was thus effective in the treatment of influenza and influenza-like syndrome.

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Chronic tension-type headaches (CTTHs) affect 30-40% of the population and account for a number of absences from, and decreased performances at, work and school as well as recreational activities. CTTHs typically occur at least 15 times a month or at least every second day, and present as an achey or tight sensation that is felt around the head. The pain may last from 30 minutes to several days and varies in intensity. Conventional treatment is palliative, consisting of analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may produce adverse effects and analgesic rebound headaches. Lacticum acidum 30CH is a homoeopathic remedy that has been shown to have potential benefits in the treatment of CTTHs. Homaccords are the preparation of one remedy in multiple increasing potencies in a single vehicle. There has been no research done to date on Lacticum acidum Homaccord in the treatment of CTTHs. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Lacticum acidum Homaccord in the treatment of CTTHs, using the modified Headache Diary and the Headache Disability Inventory. The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled matched pair study which took place at the Homoeopathic Health Centre at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Doornfontein campus, over a period of four weeks. A randomised sample of 34 male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 45 years who suffered from CTTHs were recruited by means of purposive sampling via advertisements placed on the UJ campus. At the initial consultation (day 0), prospective participants were requested to sign the Participant Information and Consent Form. The participants were then requested to complete the Screening Questionnaire to assess their eligibility for participating in the study. Participants’ meeting the diagnostic criteria for CTTHs, and those whose symptoms matched at least eight out of the twelve Lacticum acidum headache-related symptoms, were eligible to participate in the study. Participants’ were placed into matched pairs, according to gender and age. Participants in both groups received one 30 mL bottle of their respectively dispensed and labelled medication. On days 1-28 the participant was requested to complete the modified Headache Diary at the end of each day and to take 5 pillules of the medication in the morning and in the evening of each day. The first follow-up visit occurred on day 14; here participants completed the Headache Disability Inventory; the completed headache diaries were exchanged with new ones, a physical examination with vital signs was conducted and an additional bottle of medication was given. The second and final follow-up vi visit occurred on day 28, where the participant completed the Headache Disability Inventory, and a physical examination with vital signs was conducted. The average duration (time), intensity, frequency of headaches, and medication use was recorded on a daily basis and the level of perceived disability from CTTHs was measured weekly. This was conducted by completing the modified Headache Diary and the Headache Disability Inventory respectively. The data from the study was evaluated and analysed using frequencies and descriptive tests, cross tabulations, the Shapiro Wilk test, the Mann-Whitney test, and the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests ...

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / The climacteric describes the ongoing changes and symptoms, of the phase or transition period that may last 15-20 years in a woman's lifecycle, when ovarian function and hormonal production declines. Menopause is the permanent cessation of the menses, identified retrospectively after one year without menses and occurs within this period of climacteric (Bernstein et al. 1996). The most common symptoms of climacteric include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, nervousness, depressive moods, feelings of vertigo, inability to concentration, joint pain, headache and heart palpitations. The most commonly used allopathic medication to palliate these symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are adverse side effects and risks associated with this treatment and not all women feel better on HR.T (Stoppard, 2001). The aim of this research study was to determine the efficacy of the Homoeopathic complexes Dr Reckeweg RI0® and R20® (Homoeopathic complexes) in relieving the symptoms of the climacteric. The methodology and Ethics were accepted by Higher Degrees Committee and Academic Ethics Committee on the 25 August 2008 (Ethical clearance no: 40/08). Participants were recruited by advertisements (Appendix A) at the University of Johannesburg, in health food shops and in pharmacies. This was a double blind, placebo controlled study involving thirty-two participants who were divided into two matched groups based on the severity of the menopausal symptoms. Volunteers were selected . using the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Volunteers meeting the inclusion criteria completed the information and consent form (Appendix B), and a patient profile and case history (Appendix C) were taken. The participants were randomly allocated to an experimental or control group, and given sets of medication (Remedy A and B, 50ml bottles) to take for a period of eight weeks (Appendix D). The participants took 10 drops of Remedy A (R10® or placebo) in the morning and Remedy B (R20® or placebo) at night. The participants were requested to complete the abbreviated Kupperman Menopause Index (KMI) weekly. The abbreviated KMI (Appendix E) scores were added...

M.Tech.

M.Tech.

M.Tech. / Psoriasis vulgaris (plaque psoriasis) is a chronic recurring inflammatory skin disease that manifests most commonly as well-circumscribed, erythematous papules and plaques of varying sizes, covered with silvery scales (Beers et al., 2010). The condition itself is considered to be difficult to treat and manage by many types of healthcare practitioners, due in part to its unknown aetiology/trigger and partly due to the nature of the disease itself (Medonça and Burden, 2003). The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of a Homoeopathic complex remedy on psoriasis. A group of twenty seven participants completed the study. Participants were of both sexes, had to be between the ages of 18 and 65 and had to have been previously diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. The study was conducted over four consultations, two weeks apart, over a six week period. The study followed a double-blind, placebo controlled format. Participants were grouped into matching pairs in terms of age and severity of disease and were then randomly assigned into either the treatment or placebo group for the study duration. Participants were evaluated at each consultation using the three primary assessment tools, namely: the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) used to assess erythema, thickness and scaling of lesions; the psoriasis disability index questionnaire (PDI), a subjective participant-orientated evaluation of the psychological impact of the disease and the 5-D itch scale used to quantitatively rate the subjective experience of pruritus. The secondary tools used at each consultation were for monitoring purposes only and were used to determine: changes in selected lesion area, as well as the effects of the intervention on the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by psoriasis. The TBSA tool was also used to determine whether new lesions developed during the study period. Using non-parametric analyses, the results of the study demonstrated statistically significant improvement in three of the five variables tested. This includes improvement in: lesion appearance (erythema, scaling and thickness) as determined by PASI; improved psychological experience of the disease quantified by PDI and improvement in the degree of pruritus. It was noted that non-parametric analyses also showed improvement in lesion area. However, lesion area measurement was a secondary tool used for monitoring purposes and it was noted that the use of the tool demonstrated short-comings with regards to consistency and reliability. Parametric analyses showed improvement of statistical significance in one of the five variables tested, namely that of pruritus levels as determined by the 5-D itch scale. It was concluded from this study that the homoeopathic complex remedy was found to be effective in the treatment of certain symptoms of psoriasis and as such should be considered as an adjunct therapy in its treatment.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / The purpose of this randomised double blind study was to evaluate the efficacy of the homoeopathic complex (Cantharis vesicatoria 12CH, Equisetum hyemale 12CH, Sarsaparilla 12CH, Delphinium staphysagria 12CH, Uva ursi 12CH) in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis with regard to the number of wet nights per week. It focused on children between the ages offive and eighteen, residing at children's homes in the greater Durban area. It was hypothesised that the homoeopathic medication would reduce the weekly incidences of bed wetting and thus provide a, safe, viable and effective alternative to existing treatment options. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Diploma in Technology in the Department of Homoeopathy at Technikon Natal, 1994. / The object of the present research trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a single homoeopathic medication, Cholesterinum, in the ninth atcenuation (9CH) in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. Special attention was paid to its effect on total choles~erol (TC) levels and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/ low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C/LDL-C) ratio. / M