Homeopathic Treatment of Children
with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
A Randomised, Double Blind,
Placebo Controlled Crossover Trial.
Heiner Frei, Regula Everts, Klaus von Ammon, Franz Kaufmann, Daniel Walther, Shu-Fang Hsu-Schmitz, Marco Collenberg, Katharina Fuhrer, Ralph Hassink, Maja
Steinlin and André Thurneysen Abstract from the European Journal of Pediatrics
An increasing number of parents turn to homeopathy for
treatment of their hyperactive child. Two publications, a randomized, partially blinded trial and a clinical observation study, conclude that homeopathy has positive effects in
patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to obtain scientific evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy in ADHD. A total of 83 children aged 6-16 years, with ADHD diagnosed using the
Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria, were recruited. Prior to the randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover study, they were treated with individually prescribed homeopathic medications. 62
patients, who achieved an improvement of 50% in the Connersrsquo Global Index (CGI), participated in the trial. Thirteen patients did not fulfill this eligibility criterion (CGI). The responders were split into two groups and received
either verum for 6 weeks followed by placebo for 6 weeks (arm A), or vice-versa (arm B). At the beginning of the trial and after each crossover period, parents reported the CGI and patients underwent neuropsychological testing. The CGI
rating was evaluated again at the end of each crossover period and twice in long-term follow-up. At entry to the crossover trial, cognitive performance such as visual global perception , impulsivity and divided attention, had improved
significantly under open label treatment (P<0.0001). During the crossover trial, CGI parent-ratings were significantly lower under verum (average 1.67 points) than under placebo ( P =0.0479). Long-term CGI improvement reached 12 points
(63%, P<0.0001). Conclusion: The trial suggests scientific evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, particularly in the areas of behavioural and cognitive functions. |
