M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Neck pain is a common condition usually experienced due to mechanical or degenerative problems (Colledge et al., 2010). The onset of neck pain may be acute and associated with asymmetrical restriction of neck movements and a history of awkward posture or sudden onset. Acute neck pain is an aching pain in the cervical paraspinal muscles and ligaments. It is associated with muscle spasm, stiffness and tightness in the upper back and shoulders that lasts up to six weeks. Headaches may be present (Bickley & Szilagyi, 2009). Causes of neck pain can be mechanical, inflammatory, metabolic, neoplastic, due to referred pain or other underlying aetiologies (Colledge et al., 2010). The most common treatments for neck pain are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, chiropractic adjustment or therapeutic massage (Taylor, 2010). The NeuroTrac® MultiTENS device provides a non-invasive, drug-free method of controlling acute pain by transmitting mild electrical impulses via surface electrodes through the skin (Verity Medical Ltd., 2013). There have been many studies done on Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices, but little on its immediate effect on acute neck pain. The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effect of the NeuroTrac® MultiTENS device on acute neck pain, using the Neck Pain Disability Index, Visual Analogue Scale and the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM). This study was an unblinded, single-group experimental design (Brink, 2010). The study took place at the University of Johannesburg Campus Clinic. Recruitment took place by means of advertisements (Appendix H) placed at the University of Johannesburg campuses. Inclusion criteria consisted of males and females between the ages of eighteen to fifty years. Participants had to be suffering from aching pain in the cervical paraspinal muscles and ligaments with associated muscle spasm, stiffness and tightness in the upper back and shoulders that was present for more than one day and no longer than one week, with decreased range of motion on CROMs (Appendix G) and a minimum score of 10 on the Neck Pain Disability Index (Appendix D). Exclusion criteria consisted of participants suffering from severe headaches with meningeal signs associated nausea, blurred vision, photophobia and phonophobia or fever; a history of thrombus formation or transient ischaemic attack (Longmore et al., 2010); if they had a pacemaker or if they have had any head and neck surgery; if they suffered from cardiac arrhythmia or myocardial infarction; pregnancy or suspected pregnancy; if they had a general skin sensitivity or known allergy to adhesives or if they have had a recent chiropractic adjustment. A total of forty participants were selected. The participants acted as their own baseline control. The researcher was only required to see participants once for one forty minute session to determine the immediate vi effect of the NeuroTrac® MultiTENS device on acute neck pain. Participants were asked to fill in an Information (Appendix A) and Consent Form (Appendix B). Participants came in for an initial consult where a history was taken on the type of neck pain experienced and the cause of the pain experienced. Vital signs were recorded on a case taking form (Appendix C). Thereafter participants were asked to fill in the Vernon and Mior Neck Pain Disability Index (Appendix D) relating to the neck pain they experienced and to complete a Visual Analogue Scale to rate their neck pain (Appendix F). The CROM goniometer device was placed on the participant’s head to measure all cervical spine ranges of motion, to the limit of pain (Appendix G). All forty participants received treatment at a frequency of 90Hz with a 200μS pulse width with the electronic pads placed on the shoulders. NeuroTrac® MultiTENS device treatment was administered for forty minutes to the participants in a seated position. The treatment was administered by the researcher. Once the treatment ended, participants were asked to fill in an amended questionnaire (Appendix E) that assessed if they noticed a change in the neck pain they were experiencing, to complete the Visual Analogue Scale (Appendix F) and their vital signs were again recorded on a case taking form (Appendix C). The CROM goniometer device was again placed on the participant’s head to measure all cervical spine ranges of motion to assess if there was a change in the readings recorded (Appendix G). The data obtained was statistically analysed by the researcher with the aid of a statistician at Statkon. The Shapiro-Wilk test and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test (non-parametric test) were used (Van Staden, 2014) ...

M.Tech.

Some species of sundew (Drosera spp.), harvested from the wild for use in homeopathic cold remedies, are now endangered. This research consisted of two experiments in hydroponic production of sundew. The first investigated the effects of four nitrogen (N) fertilization levels (0.0, 5.1, 25.5 or 51.0 mg/L added N) and three harvest methods (after two months, four months, and sequential harvest at two and four months) on the growth of Drosera adelae (F. Muell.). In addition, the effect of N on the production of a medicinal active ingredient in D. adelae was examined. The second experiment investigated effects of the same nitrogen treatments in combination with three substrates (long fiber sphagnum, peat or rockwool) on growth. The growth rate of D. adelae was greatest at low levels of nitrogen fertilization, and slowed after two months of growth. Plants that were sequentially harvested had the lowest growth rate among all the harvest method treatments. Young plants and plants that received little or no N fertilizer had a greater water concentration than the other plants. Substrate and N level interacted, but generally peat and rockwool produced greater yields than did sphagnum. The medicinal compound plumbagin and a similar but unidentified compound were detected in the leaf extracts of D. adelae. However, whether N fertilization influenced the concentration of these compounds remains inconclusive.

Thesis (MSc (Phytomedicine))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2018. / Background : Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the inclination or compulsion to fall asleep whilst intending to stay awake; it is believed to negatively affect occupational and social functioning and may be a predisposition towards accidents (Hayley et al. 2014), low productivity and interpersonal problems (Fong et al. 2005). Excessive daytime sleepiness is one of the most common sleep-related symptoms and it affects an estimated 20% of the population (Pagel .2009). The causes of EDS are numerous and include intrinsic sleep disorders (e.g. narcolepsy, obstructive apnoea/ hypopnea syndrome, idiopathic hypersomnia), and extrinsic disorders (Banerjee et al. 2004). Sleep deprivation is probably the most common cause of excessive daytime sleepiness. This clinic trial intended to evaluate the effectiveness of a homoeopathic complex (Nux moschata D6, Phosphoricum acidum D30, Helliborus niger D6, Opium D30) in the management of EDS in terms of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Johns, 1991) and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (Hoddes et al. 1973). And this randomised, double-blind placebo controlled study also aimed to provide a safe and effective alternative therapy for EDS. Aim of the study : The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a homoeopathic complex (Nux moschata D6, Phosphoricum acidum D30, Helliborus niger D6, Opium D30) and placebo in the management of EDS in terms of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS). Materials and Methodology : A sample group of 35 participants was selected voluntarily to conduct the study on basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were than randomly divided into two groups; a treatment group consisting of 23 participants and a placebo group consisting of 12 participants. Each participant had to attend three consultations in total with the researcher over a period of four weeks at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Homoeopathic Day Clinic. At the first consultation a comprehensive case history (appendix F) was taken and physical examination (appendix E) was performed by the researcher but no medication was handed at that point. At each consultation the participants with the help of the researcher completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the seven days’ baseline Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) was handed to the participants at the first and second consultation which the participants completed without the help of the researcher throughout the trial till their last consultation. Results : Results from the two measuring tools were statistically analysed with SPSS version 24.0. the participant’s level of sleepiness improved in both the treatment group and the placebo group. Intra-group analyses of ESS means revealed that both groups improved significantly over time, intergroup ANOVA analysis however revealed no significant differences between the groups. Section analyses however using the Fisher’s Exact Tests did reveal statistically significant differences within certain variables at some points of the study. Intra-group analyses of SSS data revealed no statistically significant change in SSS scores over the three weeks in both the Homoeopathic Complex and the Placebo Groups, as well as the Inter-group Fischer’s Exact tests revealed no statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusion : Barring a few exceptions described in Chapter 4 & 5 it can be concluded from the results of the study that statistically the Homoeopathic complex (Nux moschata D6, Phosphoricum acidum D30, Helliborus niger D6, Opium D30) was not superior to placebo in the treatment of EDS. The data shows that both the Homoeopathic Complex and the placebo interventions had a positive effect on EDS and were effective in improving the level of excessive daytime Sleepiness. Irrespective of the general lack of statistical significance between groups a closer analysis of the intragroup and inter-group data does reveal a trend suggesting clinical significance in support of the effectiveness of the homoeopathic complex in the treatment of EDS however this needs to be further explored and confirmed in subsequent studies. / M

Orientador: Adriana Aigotti Haberbeck Brandão / Banca: Adriana Aigotti Haberbeck Brandão / Banca:Ana Lia Anbinder / Banca: Rosilene Fernandes da Rocha / Resumo: A osteoporose, doença caracterizada pela perda de massa óssea, tem sido alvo de estudos nos últimos anos. Fraturas decorrentes da osteoporose são muito comuns e podem apresentar consolidação mais lenta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do risedronato (medicamento alopático) e da Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (medicamento homeopático) no processo de reparo ósseo em ratos machos com osteoporose induzida por castração. Para tanto, foram utilizados oitenta e quatro ratos de três meses de idade separados em quatro grupos de vinte e um animais, sendo três grupos submetidos à castração e um grupo a falsa cirurgia (sham). Um mês após, foram realizadas lesões ósseas monocorticais na tíbia de todos os animais e a partir do dia seguinte, os respectivos tratamentos foram iniciados de acordo com os seguintes grupos: CR - castrado/ risedronato (1mg/kg/dia); CCp - castrado/Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (três gotas/dia); CP - castrato/placebo e SP - sham/placebo que receberam apenas três gotas ao dia de água destilada. Os animais foram sacrificados aos sete, catorze e vinte e oito dias após o início do tratamento e as tíbias removidas. Radiografias digitais foram realizadas e avaliadas pelo programa Image Tool para obter a densidade óptica na área do defeito. Então as tíbias foram descalcificadas e processadas para a realização das análises histológicas. A histomorfometria mediu a porcentagem de osso formado utilizando um retículo graduado colocado no centro da lesão através do programa Image J. Para a análise estatística, os dados foram submetidos aos testes de ANOVA, Tukey e Dunnett, ao nível de 5%. Segundo a análise da densidade óptica, o grupo CCp apresentou os melhores resultados aos sete e catorze dias, mas foi superado pelo grupo CR aos vinte e oito dias. Segundo a histomorfometria o grupo SP apresentou o melhor resultado aos sete dias, ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by progressive bone loss, has been the target of several studies lately. It results in a much higher risk for fractures and might cause slower bone consolidation. The aim of this work was to study the effects of Risedronate (allopathic medicine) and Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (homeopathic medicine) to repair bone lesions in male rats with osteoporosis, induced by castration. For this, eighty-four three-months-old rats were used divided in four groups of twenty-one animals. Three groups where castrated and one group was submitted to Sham surgery. One month later, monocortical lesions were made in all animals' tibiae and after one day they began the different treatments according to the following groups: CR - castrated/Risedronate (1mg/kg/day); CCp - castrated/Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (3 drops/day); CP - castrated/placebo and SP - Sham/placebo that received 3 drops/day of distilled water. The animals were sacrificed at seven, fourteen and twenty-eight days after the beginning of treatment and had their tibiae removed. The tibiae's digital XR was analyzed in order to evaluate optical density, using the Image Tool program. Then, they were decalcified and processed for histologic analysis. Histomorphometric measures of bone percentual formation were evaluated using a graticule in the central area of the lesion, with the Image J program. Data was submitted to ANOVA, Tukey and Dunnett tests (5% level). According to the optical density, the CCp group showed the best results at seven and fourteen days, but it was surpassed by the CR group at the 28th day. The histomorphometrical analyses showed that the SP group had the best result at seven days but the CR group formed more bone than all the other groups at 14 and 28 days.Measuring the bony callus, the CR group had the thicker callus at seven and 28 days. It... Complete abstract, click electronic address below) / Mestre

Dissertation approved for final submission in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy at Technikon Natal, 1997. / This study was conducted to determine the perceptions that the veterinarians in South Africa have to acupuncture and homoeopathy regarding the role that they have to play in veterinary medicine. / M

M.Tech (Homoeopathy) / The aim of this study is to determine the influence of homoeopathically prepared Ginkgo Biloba 6X potency compared with that of phytotherapeutically prepared Ginkgo Biloba Extract; on the results of psychometric tests used to ascertain short-term memory loss in the geriatric subject. 21 elderly volunteers received; Ginkgo Biloba Extract (500mg), a homoeopathic 6X potency of Ginkgo Biloba and a placebo according to a double blind design. One hour after administration of the treatment, volunteers were subjected to psychometric testing namely the Reading Comprehension Test, which serves to assess the status of the short-term memory. No statistically significant changes from the placebo were observed in either of the groups. Adjusted scores for education and Mini Mental Status Exam scores however revealed a positive trend in favour of the homoeopathic 6X potency of Ginkgo Biloba Further evaluation with a larger study sample could provide more conclusive evidence as to its efficacy

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Menopause is the natural or iatrogenic termination of menstrual periods as a result of decreasing ovarian function. Natural menopause begins when menstrual periods have been absent for one year (Beers et al., 2006). The Climacteric is the period which encompasses the transition from the reproductive state to the non-reproductive state. Menopause, therefore, is a specific event that takes place during the climacteric (Collins et al., 2010). The symptoms are usually treated conventionally with Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT), but a large number of adverse side-effects are associated with its use (Harvey and Champe., 2009). De Schepper (2001) states that the true Homoeopathic Similimum strengthens a person’s vital force which results in the improvement of disease symptoms. Barton (2008) states that it is very difficult to accurately find the Homoeopathic Similimum for each case; therefore, Grant Bentley and his team have worked to develop a system of analysis, to facilitate the identification of the Similimum for each case. The Grant Bentley Method requires photography of the face and analysis of the facial features necessary to ascertain the miasmatic category into which the participant falls (Barton, 2008). There is no research verifying the effectiveness of this method in the treatment of climacteric symptoms. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the Homoeopathic Similimum, using the Grant Bentley-method, on Climacteric symptoms. The study was carried out in the form of case studies over a twelve week period. Eleven females, between the ages of forty and sixty-five years, who were experiencing climacteric symptoms and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited, using purposive sampling, by placing advertisements (Appendix A) in local newspapers, pharmacies and medical practices in the Vanderbijlpark area and at the Doornfontein Campus of the University of Johannesburg. The process of the study was explained to the participants and consent forms were signed (Appendix C and D). Participants, with the researcher’s help, completed a Suitability Criteria Questionnaire (Appendix B). During the first consultation the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) (Appendix E and F) was completed and evaluated (Appendix G). The Homoeopathic case studies took the form of one-on-one conversations in order to complete a Case Taking Form (Appendix I) and incorporated a relevant physical examination and a Grant Bentley Evaluation of each participant’s facial features from which their miasmatic categories were determined (Appendix H). The participant’s case information was examined in accordance with the principles of homoeopathic classical prescribing, based on the entirety of symptoms. From this process the similimum was determined and given according to homoeopathic principles...

M.Tech. / This research was conducted to determine the efficacy of Choresan (R36) ® on children with “Specific Learning Disabilities”. Choresan (R36) ® is a complex homoeopathic formulation indicated for use in mild nervous disorders, physical restlessness, tics and spasms and muscular twitching (Dr. Reckeweg and Co. GMBH, 2009). Choresan (R36)® contains a combination of homoeopathic remedies that lend to usage for the symptomology associated with Specific Learning Disabilities. Specific Learning Disabilities are defined as a group of basic psychological processes which affect the understanding and use of language (written and spoken). Individuals present with an inability to learn as well as restlessness or hyperactivity (Webb, 2008). The management of Specific Learning Disabilities is two fold, namely education and scheduled drugs. The use of antipsychotic and stimulant drugs have problematic long term efficacy with adverse side effects (Matson and Neal, 2009). This study was conducted to determine if homoeopathic medicine may be able to suggest a safer, side effect free alternative.