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Background: Classical naturopathy and complementary medicine proceduresare used in all industrial countries, the only difference being the extent to which they are used. However, information pertaining to effects, safety and costs of such therapies remains incomplete. An important aim of this study was to establish to what extent women’s hospitals and clinics in Germany adopt complementary medicine and naturopathy as a means of treatment and how often they are used and by whom. Materials and Methods: In a questionnaire regarding the use of complementary medicine and naturopathy, we contacted 1,054 gynecology/obstetrics institutions. Of the 1,054 contacted, 481 (45.6%) of the returned questionnaires could be analyzed and evaluated using descriptive statistical methods. Results: Altogether per clinic an average of four different complementary medicine therapies was named which were used in the field of gynecology and obstetrics. Acupuncture (used in 94.1% of responding clinics) and homeopathy (used in 83.0% of responding clinics) were without doubt the two procedures that were used most often. Clear differences regarding both choice of therapy and frequency of use of a given therapy could be seen when comparing areas of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) with those of the former Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). No differences could be found pertaining to the comparison of university and non-university hospitals. Conclusion: Interesting tendencies could be seen regarding the willingness of hospital departments to widen their therapy spectrum by adopting complementary medicine procedures. These in turn led us to valuable conclusions as to the various strategies of patient care. Given the frequency of use of complementary medicine therapies in the field of gynecology and obstetrics, it must surely be concluded that research into complementary medicine approaches in such areas must be intensified.

Results show a stabilisation of patients during follow-up, demonstrating the long-term effect of the applied treatment. This is of special importance of naturopathy, as the temporal dimension of treatment is important in this context, and as it is often asserted that a manifestation of a therapeutical success is obvious mainly on a long-term basis.

In order to better understand the global approach and country differences in physicians’ usage, knowledge, and attitudes towards natural remedies and homeopathy in pediatric practice, an online survey involving 582 general pediatricians and general practitioners treating pediatric diseases was conducted in 6 countries. Overall, 17% of the pediatric prescriptions refer to phytotherapy and 15% refer to homeopathic preparations. Natural remedies and homeopathic preparations are more frequently used in upper respiratory tract infections, infant colic, sleep disturbances, and recurrent infections. In the majority of cases, they are used together with chemical drugs. Both treatment options are typically used if parents are concerned about side effects of conventional drugs or prefer natural remedies for themselves. Physicians express high interest in natural remedies and homeopathy; however, their knowledge is variable. Lack of proven efficacy, knowledge on mechanism of action, and information on indications are main factors that limit their usage.

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Background. In the last decades, several hospitals have adopted this concept of integrative medicine for the treatment of chronic and acute states of illnesses in in-patient treatment. The aim of this paper was to summarize the current evidence for a possible effectiveness of integrative on-patient treatment in patients' quality of life by means of a meta-analysis. Material and Methods. The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsycInfo, PsycLit CCMED, and CAMbase were screened to find articles. We also screened publisher databases to find relevant information. Articles were included if patients were treated in a hospital. To guarantee comparability SF-36 was the predefined outcome measure for patients' quality of life. Data of pre/posteffects on the mental and physical scores of the SF-36 were extracted and effect sizes were calculated and entered into a random effect meta-analysis. Results. Eight articles published between 2003 and 2010 were included in the final meta-analysis. Random effect meta-analysis of the eight studies revealed an overall effect size of 0.37 (95% CI: [0.28; 0.45]) in the physical score and 0.38 (95% CI: [0.30; 0.45]) in the mental score of the SF-36. I 2 statistics indicate a high heterogeneity in the effects in both the physical and mental scores of the SF-36 (I 2 = 91.8%, P < 0.001, resp.; I 2 = 86.7%, P < 0.001). Discussion. This meta-analysis might help to rediscover the importance of integrative in-patient treatment for patients, physicians, and stakeholders.

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Evaluation of Inpatient Naturopathic Treatment – the Blankenstein Model. Part II: Effect Size and Health Status of Patients in the Course of Time Background: In order to check the possibilities and limits of naturopathic treatment within the field of inpatient care, in January 1997 a model department of naturopathy was established at the Hospital Blankenstein, Hattingen. For a period of 3 years (starting on July 1,1999) it has been scientifically accompanied by the Chair of Medical Theory and Complementary Medicine at the University of Witten/ Herdecke. Aim: The scientific evaluation focuses on the following question: How does a 3-week inpatient treatment with naturopathic methods effect different outcome parameters regarding a pre-post comparison and a half-year follow-up? Methods: A prospective observation study with 4 defined times of measurement (hospitalization, discharge, 3 and 6 months after the end of the inhospital stay) and an analysis of the subgroups of patients with rheumatic diseases. The data of 1026 patients of the department of naturopathy were considered, who have been treated because of rheumatic diseases, metabolic diseases, chronic-bronchial diseases and allergic discomforts from July 1, 1999 to December 13, 2000. The mean value of age was 57.3 years, the median 58.5 years. 69.4% of the patients were capable of gainful employment (17–65 years). The patients were treated with classical naturopathic methods (hydrotherapy, phytotherapy), individually adapted to the patient’s situation. Outcome parameters were quality of life (measured with the HLQ and the SF-36), mood (measured with the Bf-S), physical complaints (measured with the GBB24) and pain perception (measured with the SES) of the patient. Results: All subscales as well as the total scores of the psychometric test instruments showed highly significant changes (t test, p < 0.01) between the time ‘hospitalization’ and ‘discharge’. Within the follow-up these values were stabilized on a level significantly higher than the initial level. Patients with rheumatic diseases showed a profile different from that of patients with similar diseases. Conclusion: The results show a stabilization of the patients within the follow-up, which proves the long-lasting effect of naturopathic treatment. This is of special importance for the section of naturopathy, where the temporal dimension of treatment plays an important role and it is often asserted that therapeutical effects can above all be recognized in the long term.