Quality Assessment of Physical Research in Homeopathy

Becker-Witt, C; Weißhuhn, Thorolf E.R.; Lüdtke, Rainer; Willich, Stefan N.

doi:10.1089/107555303321222991

Cited by 51 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…A global discrimination of frequencies that are 'sensitive' or 'insensitive' to aqueous potencies is obvious. We followed criteria for quality standards that were often absent in physical basic research on homeopathy [11], among them randomization and blinding, replicating, and an adequate statistical analysis, after preparation and storage influences have been determined [13]. Special care was taken to standardize samples and measurements: Predefined procedures were observed and contamination was tracked by conductivity measurements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally (E, F) we looked for influences of container materials and sample ages. Plain solvent, potentized to remedy potency, served as control [11]. Each experiment included 8 samples: 3 independent preparations each of remedy C30 and control C30 that were measured blind, and 2 baseline samples of plain solvent, measured not blind before and after the potentized samples.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Contributions may come from unexpected sides [10]. And worse, those experiments that have been tried to prove a physical feature of potencies were seldom performed with a convincing methodology [11], sometimes more obfuscating than elucidating the field. We thus remained skeptic when we found reliable differences between potentized remedy and potentized water in randomized, blind experiments involving a new technology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High Homeopathic Potencies Are Different from Potentized Solvent when Investigated with the REDEM Technology

et al. 2005

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Objective: To determine in a series of randomized blinded experiments using the REDEM technology whether differences between high homeopathic potencies and similarly potentized solvent can be detected. Design and Analysis: A REDEM device was employed as a black box. Samples were measured in a capacitor that was connected to 60 individual oscillator circuits at frequencies between 250 and 930 KHz; their oscillation damping was recorded. In two experiments (3 and 4 replications) stable differences between a potentized ‘mother tincture’ and potentized solvent were assessed. Statistical analysis was done using ANCOVA. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.01) between remedy and control were found, mostly at the same oscillator frequencies. Those differences found for only one remedy always were at frequencies adjacent to frequencies with differences for other remedies. Visual analysis: Where output curves were not near 0, remedy values were higher than controls. Curves within a replication ran parallel, their distances varied. Between replications, curve shapes and remedy- control differences were similar, however, control curves varied in height. Control and remedy curves between experiments varied in shape. Effects increased with time and sample conductivity. Ethanol 43% as solvent eliminated the observed effects, use of polyethylene containers considerably attenuated them. Conclusions: A probably physical difference was seen between potentized homeopathic remedies and potentized solvent. The differences are associated with sample age, solvent, and container material. The REDEM technology requires further investigation to determine the nature of the underlying mechanisms of the observed differences.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High Homeopathic Potencies Are Different from Potentized Solvent when Investigated with the REDEM Technology

et al. 2005

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“…An example of the former is a 2003 meta-analysis of experiments, 14 each examining the ability of homeopathic preparations to alter physical properties of solvents. Of the 44 papers reviewed, 38 claimed to have found positive results for homeopathy, meaning that the dilutions were active in some way.…”

Section: Physical Experiments In Dilution Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Where Does Homeopathy Fit in Pharmacy Practice?

Johnson¹,

Boon²

2007

Am J Pharm Educ

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Homeopathy has been the cause of much debate in the scientific literature with respect to the plausibility and efficacy of homeopathic preparations and practice. Nonetheless, many consumers, pharmacists, physicians, and other health care providers continue to use or practice homeopathic medicine and advocate its safety and efficacy. As drug experts, pharmacists are expected to be able to counsel their patients on how to safely and effectively use medications, which technically includes homeopathic products. Yet many pharmacists feel that the homeopathic system of medicine is based on unscientific theories that lack supporting evidence. Since consumers continue to use homeopathic products, it is necessary for pharmacists to have a basic knowledge of homeopathy and to be able to counsel patients about its general use, the current state of the evidence and its use in conjunction with other medications.

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“…This study clearly showed the complex interdisciplinary expertise required to conduct high-quality research in homeopathy. 71 A review of all extant literature on physical studies trying to identify a materially active component and methodologically rating the studies concluded that most studies were rather weak from a methodological point of view 72 (see Table 1 for an overview). Together, this very weak literature shows that no viable evidence for stable water clusters (required for so called "water memory") currently exists.…”

Section: Basic Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on Homeopathy: State of the Art

Walach

Jonas²,

Ives³

et al. 2005

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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In this paper, we review research on homeopathy from four perspectives, focusing on reviews and some landmark studies. These perspectives are laboratory studies, clinical trials, observational studies, and theoretical work. In laboratory models, numerous effects and anomalies have been reported. However, no single model has been sufficiently widely replicated. Instead, researchers have focused on ever-new models and experiments, leaving the picture of scattered anomalies without coherence. Basic research, trying to elucidate a purported difference between homeopathic remedies and control solutions has also produced some encouraging results, but again, series of independent replications are missing. While there are nearly 200 reports on clinical trials, few series have been conducted for single conditions. Some of these series document clinically useful effects and differences against placebo and some series do not. Observational research into uncontrolled homeopathic practice documents consistently strong therapeutic effects and sustained satisfaction in patients. We suggest that this scattered picture has to do with the fourth line of research: lack of a good theory. Some of the extant theoretical models are reviewed, including placebo, water structure, silica contamination, energy models, and entanglement models. It emerges that local models, suggesting some change in structure in the solvent, are far from convincing. The nonlocal models proposed would predict that it is impossible to nail down homeopathic effects with direct experimental testing and this places homeopathy in a scientific dilemma. We close with some suggestions for potentially fruitful research.

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Quality Assessment of Physical Research in Homeopathy

Cited by 51 publications

References 36 publications

High Homeopathic Potencies Are Different from Potentized Solvent when Investigated with the REDEM Technology

High Homeopathic Potencies Are Different from Potentized Solvent when Investigated with the REDEM Technology

Where Does Homeopathy Fit in Pharmacy Practice?

Research on Homeopathy: State of the Art

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