Alternative und integrative Medizin

Evaluation of Semi Standardized Individualized Homeopathic Treatment of 77 Women with Premenstrual Disorders: Observational Study with 9 Months Follow-Up

Abstract

Klein-Laansma CT, Jansen JCH, Van Tilborgh AJW and Van Vliet M

Background: A large proportion (8-32%) of women in the fertile age suffers from premenstrual syndrome/symptoms (PMS/S). Individualized homeopathy could offer relief and this should be further investigated. Semi-standardized treatment with a limited number of homeopathic medicines and strictly defined prescription criteria could minimize prescription variability and increase reproducibility of the individualized treatment. 1.2. Objective: In an extension of a previous pilot study, the utility of a semi-standardized algorithm with 11 medicines for individualized homeopathic treatment of women with PMS/S was further evaluated in daily practice with 9 months follow-up. 1.3. Methods: Women completed symptom diaries during to 2 months to confirm PMS/S. Women diagnosed with PMS/S were included, consulted a homeopathic physician and completed a questionnaire with keynote symptoms for 11 homeopathic medicines. A computerized algorithm would process the answers and indicate the first homeopathic prescription. At follow-up visits change of prescription was possible. Main outcome measures were frequencies and proportions of (non-) algorithm-based prescriptions during the study and percentage of responders (≥50% drop in PMS scores). Secondary outcome measures were mean changes in PMS scores over time. 1.4. Results: 77 women were included, 52 completed the study. The usefulness of the semi-standardized treatment protocol was confirmed. In 30 (57.5%) of the 52 analyzed women, PMS scores had dropped by ≥50%. For the estimated mean changes in PMS scores, it made no difference if women had used one or more of the 11 algorithm-based or also other homeopathic medicines (p=0.765). A significant association was found between symptom severity at baseline and changes in mean PMS scores (p<0.001). 1.5. Conclusions: A semi-standardized individualized homeopathic treatment of women with PMS/S with 11 medicines proved useful in daily homeopathic practice, with improved reproducibility of individualized treatment. This treatment could be further tested in effectiveness research