M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Argentum nitricum 6CH and Lycopodium clavatum 6CH in the individualised treatment of patients suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome. These two homoeopathic remedies are well known for their effect on the gastrointestinal system, especially when the gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with emotional stress. 60 subjects participated in this single blind, placebo controlled study. Each subject underwent an initial evaluation in order to ascertain their symptoms prior to treatment. They were then given their appropriate remedy to be administered three times daily for one month. The subject's symptoms were monitored through questionnaires completed at two week intervals. The homoeopathic medication appeared to reduce the Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, with the Lycopodium clavatum group achieving slightly better results than the Argentum nitricum group. It is, however, recommended that further similar studies using a larger sample group for a longer duration be conducted in order to verify these findings.

M.Tech. / On several occasions since the 1994 elections, the South African Department of Health has committed itself to establish appropriate and practical mechanisms for the integration of complementary practitioners and therapies into the National Health System. Although Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) are already used mainly by the higher socio economic groups, Homoeopathy is considered well suited for use in developing countries where the adequate infrastructure, equipment and medicines needed for conventional treatment can not always be provided. There is currently no market-related research available on the awareness or usage of homoeopathy or homoeopathic medicines amongst the lower income groups, those most reliant on the public health care system. To rectify these issues, comprehensive market research needs to done amongst the lower socio-economic groups to determine their levels of awareness of homoeopathy, and if awareness exists, what their level of use is. Well developed, appropriate marketing strategies could lead to commercial expansion into this undeveloped area and the possible inclusion of services and medicines in the public health care system. This study formed part of a three-part study investigating the current public perceptions towards Homoeopathy in South Africa. The research was conducted in the form of a door-to-door survey using a questionnaire. The independent market research company, Research Surveys (Pty) Limited, under the supervision of the researcher, conducted the surveys. The total sample group for all three studies consisted of 2000 respondent interviews conducted in the seven major metropolitan areas of South Africa. These included Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, East London and Port Elizabeth. A total of 1260 Black, 385 White, 240 Coloured and 115 Indian interviews were conducted Sixty three percent of the sample group fell into L.S.M. Groups 2 to 6. This amounts to a total of 1200 respondents. After analysing and discussing the results of the surveys it can be concluded that the consumers from L.S.M. Groups 2 to 6 have a very low level of awareness of homoeopathy, especially when compared to L.S.M. Groups 7 to 10. In general the consumers from this group perceive homoeopaths to be well trained and homoeopathic medicines effective but will still rather consult a medical doctor about certain illnesses. It appears that consumers from this group are not likely to see a homoeopath in the future but would like to see it as a treatment option in provincial hospitals. The lack of interest to see a homoeopath in the future does not seem to be associated with a perceived high cost of consultations.

Dr. A.J. Ford Dr. R. Razlog

M.Tech.

M.Tech.

M.Tech.

M.Tech.

M.Tech. / Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is an initiator and promoter of cardiovascular disease and end organ damage. Primary or essential hypertension is an elevated blood pressure due to an unknown or unidentifiable pathology. Secondary hypertension may be caused by underlying pathology or certain medication. Although a number of allopathic drugs are available, hypertension may remain uncontrolled despite lifestyle changes combined with adequate allopathic treatment. This is termed as refractory hypertension. Poor patient compliance, inadequate diuretic therapy, inappropriate drug combinations, and obesity are the leading causes of uncontrolled or refractory hypertension. Crataegus oxyacantha θ is a homoeopathically prepared mother tincture (θ) that has been clinically used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular complaints. However there is insufficient research to confirm its efficacy in the treatment of hypertension. The aim of this study is to ascertain the efficiency of Crataegus oxyacantha θ in the treatment of refractory hypertension in adult males aged between thirty-five and sixty-five years, currently taking allopathic treatment, namely Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors combined with a diuretic, and to evaluate the effect of Crataegus oxyacantha Ө on associated symptoms of hypertension. These include headaches; palpitations; vertigo; blurred vision and tinnitus. The study was a placebo controlled double-blinded trial that extended over a period of 12 weeks. Thirty male participants between the ages of thirty-five to sixty-five, that were pre-diagnosed with refractory hypertension for a minimum of two years with a fluctuating blood pressure reading above 150/95 mmHg and currently on allopathic medication i.e. ACE-inhibitor with a combined diuretic were recruited for the study by means of advertisements placed at the University of Johannesburg health clinic, pharmacies and community clinics. Participants were randomly placed in either the experimental or the control group. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria underwent a physical examination and consented to the study (Appendix A). The participants blood pressure was measured on both arms as advised by Milne in the South African hypertensive guidelines 2003 (Annexure A), at the first visit and for two consecutive mornings in order to obtain a baseline reading. He was randomly assigned in either the experimental or the control group. The control group received a 50ml bottle of the 20% alcohol placebo and the experimental group received a 50ml bottle of the homoeopathic remedy, Crataegus oxyacantha θ. He was instructed to take 10 drops in 125ml water twice daily after meals. During the trial period the participant’s blood pressure was assessed every 2 weeks against the measured baseline readings for a period of 12 weeks. The severity of the following symptoms was assessed every 2 weeks, headaches; palpitations; vertigo; blurred vision and tinnitus and other symptoms that he may have experienced. These results were graded and recorded on the progress form (Appendix C). The data obtained from the participants was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). The blood pressure of the experimental group was compared to the control group as obtained at the first consultation and each of the six follow-up visits. Groups were compared using the Chi-Square test and the Non Parametric Mann Whitney U test. Statistical analysis showed significant differences, P <0.05 for the systolic blood pressure between the experimental and control group. There was a significant decline in the diastolic blood pressure of the experimental and the control group. The diastolic pressure of the control showed a significant decline between day one and week six, however remained constant from week six to week twelve. This implies that the placebo may have provided some benefit towards the lowering of diastolic blood pressure in adult males. The associated symptoms were investigated and the results obtained indicate that headaches and blurred vision remained a constant mild symptom that was experienced throughout the twelve week trial period. Due to the statistical difference between the experimental and the control group in favour of the experimental group, the null hypothesis was rejected. Preliminary findings suggest that Crataegus oxyacantha Ө, is effective in reducing elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adult males with refractory hypertension, however more research over a longer period of time is needed to confirm theses findings.

M. Tech. / Insomnia is defined as inadequate sleep due to difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up too early, and not being able to get back to sleep. In Western industrialised nations, between 30% and 40% of individuals suffer from at least occasional periods of sleep disturbance. The significance of sleep lies in its impact on the Central Nervous System as extended periods without sleep will result in disturbances in mental function. The remedy used in this study was Coffea cruda 200cH. This homoeopathic remedy is used clinically for its sedative and calming effect on the nervous system, in the homoeopathic treatment of insomnia. Although there is some research evidence that Coffea cruda has an effect on sleep in animals, there is no research on its effect on human subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a homoeopathic remedy Coffea cruda 200cH in the treatment of insomnia that is characterised with a difficulty in falling asleep. The quality of sleep was assessed in terms of duration of sleep, changes in sleep pattern, and satisfaction with sleep. This was a double blind placebo controlled study. The duration of the clinical trial lasted for four weeks. A total of thirty participants, meeting the inclusion criteria (Appendix B) were recruited via advertisements (Appendix E) in local newspapers, pamphlets and emails, sent in and around the University of Johannesburg Health Clinic, the University of Witwatersrand Sleep Unit, campuses, shopping malls and residential areas. Participants were also recruited via advertisements on a local radio station. At the initial consultation the participants were requested to sign a consent form (Appendix A). The researcher then completed the questionnaire (Appendix B) to assess suitability for the study. Participants were given a 50ml bottle of medication in liquid form, and were requested to shake the bottle and then take ten iv drops under the tongue just before going to bed, for four weeks. A homoeopathic pharmaceutical company blinded the medication. By selecting a medication, the participant automatically allocated themselves to either the experimental or control group. Participants were also given a sleep diary to be completed every morning (Appendix C). There were follow up visits with participants on the second and fourth week where the sleep diary was checked to improve compliance and a case history was taken (Appendix D). All results were compared to the initial assessment and changes were recorded. Data were analysed according to the General Linear Model: Repeated Measures, Mann-Whitney test (non-parametric test), Cross-tabulation, Fisher’s exact test and Regression Analysis. Statistical data proved that both the experimental and control groups had statistically significant results. It is unclear why the control group behaved in the same way as the experimental group. A longer trial is required to distinguish if this was purely due to the placebo effect.

M. Tech. / Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) of the shoulder is a condition that results because of poor posture, stress and a lack of sufficient rest periods between working schedules. This study attempts to demonstrate the effect of the homoeopathically prepared complex remedy Spascupreel® S in the treatment of RSI. Thirty participants were selected for the study and completed the study. The study was conducted over a period of five weeks. Fifteen participants formed part of the control group, and fifteen participants formed part of the experimental group. The control group received placebo (saline solution) injections, and the experimental group received Spascupreel® S injections for the duration of the study. All the participants were assessed by means of questionnaires, algometer readings and physical examinations throughout the study. The results were statistically analysed using the independent-samples t-test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Friedman test and McNemar test. The results showed that treatment with Spascupreel® S indicated a tendency towards statistical significance in improving the symptoms of RSI.