Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Diploma in Technology: Homeopathy, Technikon Natal, Durban, 1994. / The atm of this study was to determine if homeopathy has a role to play in the treatment of warts. This study focuses only on external warts (excluding genital warts). A sample of thirty patients was taken from the greater Durban area, and from this sample fifteen were treated with Homeopathic simillimum treatment and the remaining fifteen received placebo treatment. The study was conducted using the double blind protocol with all medications being prepared and dispensed by a neutral homeopathic pharmacist. Every twenty SIX days for the duration of the six month trial, patients' warts were photographed and questionnaires completed, regarding the patients' perception to the treatment. The study was divided into three sections viz. Subproblem one, two and three. Subproblem one was the objective analysis of the treatment by means of colour photography. Trace outlines of the warts from the photographs were scanned onto a computer which calculated the surface area of the warts. Each group (i.e. the control and treatment group) was then compared with themselves (i.e. before and after treatment) using the paired T-test, With the control group p= 0.670, indicating there was no statistically significant difference. With the treatment group p = 0.264, indicating there was no statistically significant difference. When comparing the surface area of the warts treated with homeopathy as opposed to those treated with placebo using the unpaired T-test no significant difference was found between the two groups (p= 0.947). Subproblem two was concerned with the subjective analysis of the treatment by measuring the patients perception to the treatment with a questionnaire. Each .group was then compared with themselves (i.e.before and after treatment) using the paired T-test. With the control group p = 0.623, indicating there was no statistically significant difference. With the treatment group p= 0.1002, indicating there was no statistically significant difference between the beginning and end of the treatment (although this value was closer to 0.05 than the Il value of the control group and thus more significant). When comparrug the patients perception to the treatment of those treated with homeopathy as opposed to those treated with placebo using the unpaired T-test p= 0.947, indicating there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Subproblem three was a comparative analysis of subproblem one and two. There was a positive correlation between the wart surface area and the patients perception to the treatment with those patients recervmg Homeopathic treatment (p= 0.0225, Jr= 0.8246). 60% of the treatment group patients improved, 20% worsened and there was no agreement between subproblem one and two with 20%. There was a poor correlation between the wart surface area and the patients perception to the treatment with those patients receiving Placebo treatment (p= 0.9957, r= 0.0025). 33.33% of the control group patients improved, 46.67% worsened and there was no agreement between subproblem one and two with 20%. It was thus concluded that although there was not a statistically significant difference between the control and treatment groups, there was a difference measured (as can be seen considering the frequency of occurrences) and therefore homeopathy does have a role to play in the treatment of warts. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / From the world wide sales of homeopathic products for 1997, which were estimated to be $1.15 billion homeopathy is growing and becoming an important aspect of healthcare. In South Africa homeopathy is relatively new and there seems to be limited awareness of homeopathy amongst the public and healthcare authorities. A collection of basic data on treatment and prescribing patterns is urgently needed. A clinical audit, namely, practice based clinical research that allows the effectiveness of homeopathy to be evaluated under 'real-life' circumstances, is required. ABSTRACT A clinical audit includes three areas, quality assurance, treatment outcomes and economic outcomes. The study addressed the first two of these areas. Quality assurance includes documenting practitioner and practice demographics, procedures of diagnosis, care and treatment. The treatment outcomes were assessed by the practitioner and the patient. Patients also gave feedback on consumer satisfaction. The study was carried out by using the survey method and the measuring tool was a series of six questionnaires. The sample of practitioners (n = 30) was drawn from registered homeopathic practitioners of Kwazulu Natal (KZN). Data from 158 patients was collected. The study was completed in 5 stages. Stage 1, was a telephonic contact of all registered homeopaths by the researcher. In Stage 2, a face to face interview of participating practitioners was conducted by the researcher. Stage 3 was the initial consultation, where both the practitioner and patient completed questionnaires. Stage 4 consisted of a follow-up consultation where again the practitioner and patient completed post treatment questionnaires. Stage 5 was the exit questionnaire administered to drop out patients by the researcher telephonically. / M

Approved for Final Submission Master's degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, Durban, 2004. / The purpose of this study was to compare the communication patterns in the homoeopathic first consultation between qualified practitioners and student practitioners. The overall patterns were also compared to standard medical literature on patient practitioner dialogue. Patients and methods The research groups consisted of two groups of ten participants: one group of qualified registered, and practicing homoeopaths and the other of student interns at the Homoeopathic Day Clinic at the Durban Institute of Technology. Each participant conducted two consultations which were taped for research purposes. These were conducted in the setting of either their private practices or in the Homoeopathic Day Clinic. These tapes were used to generate a data set that described the relative frequencies of certain utterances according to the Rater Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). This data set was analysed statistically to give a comparison between the two groups, as well as being used to describe the patterns of communication in a homoeopathic setting in the larger context of medical interactions. IV Results Significant statistical differences were noted in the communication patterns of practitioners as opposed to student homoeopaths. / M

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M.Tech.

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. (Homeopathy) / Please refer to full text to view abstract