Nieuws over homeopathie

Homeopathy effective for children with ADHD Bron: EccH

Homeopathy is effective in treating children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD suffer from disturbances in mood, behaviour and school performance. About one child in every school class suffers from ADHD1-2. Up to 64 % of parents of children with ADHD choose complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat their children4-3 and homeopathy is one of the preferred treatment modalities4-6.

No curative conventional treatment exists, but homeopaths have considerable positive experience in treating children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, as well as children with other types of concentration, learning and behavioural difficulties7-20. Research supports homeopaths’ positive clinical experience.

Research – evidence of improvement with homeopathic treatment

Four clinical trials including a total of 263 children diagnosed with ADHD treated with classical homeopathy have been published21-24. Three of these were so-called randomised double-blinded trials where the children, their parents, practitioners and researchers did not know whether the child had received a homeopathic medicine or an inactive placebo pill until after the study was finalised22-24. Results suggest that beneficial effect continues long after treatment has been completed.

The study of highest methodological quality showed a significant effect of homeopathy over a 12 week period22. One and a half years later the children were still 63 % better. Their mood was more stable and they had improved short time memory.

A second study showed a significant effect of homeopathy compared to placebo and children were still 57 % better 2 months after treatment24. A third study found significant improvement in both the homeopathy and placebo groups, which indicates that the homeopathic consultation may also positively influence the state of these children23. A fourth (non-blinded) study showed that a minimum of 73% improvement in 75 % of 115 children diagnosed with ADHD21.

Conventional drugs can have serious side effects – homeopathy is safe

No serious side-effects were reported in any of the homeopathy trials with children diagnosed with ADHD. The safety of homeopathy is one of the main reasons why parents choose homeopathy for their children. Conventional treatment in ADHD is inadequate and includes the risk of adverse effects. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning that conventional ADHD drugs may cause cardiovascular disease25-26.

Sufficient time and more research is needed

More research should be carried out to further determine the effect of homeopathy for children suffering from ADHD. A minimum treatment period of one year should be allowed for in order to properly treat these children and to assess potential long-term benefit.

For safe and effective homeopathic treatment of their children, parents should make sure that the practitioner they consult is a registered member of an ECCH or ICH Member Association. For information, please refer to www.homeopathy-ecch.eu and outside Europe www.homeopathy-ich.orgADHD facts • ADHD is persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in people at a comparable level of development27 • One of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents28-29 • Frequency: Estimates range from 3-5 % in some studies1, and 1.7-16 % in others2 • ADHD may negatively influence • Social skills • Academic performance • It is often accompanied by30 • Low self-esteem • Anxiety • Depression • Antisocial behaviour • Drug abuse • Sleep disturbance • Diagnosis is made by ruling out other conditions AND considering patients’ symptoms • No curative conventional therapy exists • Conventional treatment consists of combinations of medication and psychosocial behavioural treatment30, but conventional drugs may have serious side-effects25-26

References

1. Lahey B.B., Applegate B., McBurnett K., Biederman J., Greenhill L., Hynd G.W., Barkley R.A., Newcorn J., Jensen P., Richters J. (1994) DSM-IV field trials for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Am J Psychiatry, 151:1673–1685.

2. Pritchard D. (2006) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. BMJ Clinical Evidence, 01 Mar. [online] last accessed 20 April 2007 at URL http://www.clinicalevidence.com/ceweb/conditions/chd/0312_background.jsp

3. Stubberfield T.G., Wray T.A., Parry T.S. (1999) Utilization of alternative therapies in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Pediatr Child Health, 35:450-453.

4. Bussing R., Zima B.T., Gary F.A., Garvan C.W. (2002) Use of complementary and alternative medicine for symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatric services; Sept, 53,9:1096-1102.

5. Brue A.W., Oakland T.D. (2002) Alternative treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Does evidence support their use? Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Jan/Feb. Vol.8, Iss.1;68-73.

6. Kenyon J.N. (1993) Hyperactivity: a consideration of the alternatives. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Apr, 1(2):78-80.

7. Cannell M. (2000) Boy with hyperactivity and clumsiness. British Homeopathic Journal, Jan, 89(1):32-35.

8. Fontaine P. (2002) My son needs consciousness. A case of ADHD. Homeopathic Links, Winter, 15(4):219-220.

9. Hardy, J. (2000) Treating serious physical pathology, seminar report Ramakrishnan A.V. The Homeopath, Spring, 77:26-27.

10. Heron K. (1997) Heron’s cases, Hyoscyamus niger, Mary, 12-year-old girl, May 13, ReferenceWorks Pro, version 3.0.3.

11. Johnston L. (1996) Attention deficit disorder case: inability to screen out outside stimuli (Phos). Homeopathic Links, Summer, 9(2):81-82.

12. Lowe J.S. (2000) Goat boy. A case of Lac caprinum. Homeopathic Links, Vol.13(3):161-167.

13. Marchand J. (1999) A case of ADD. N Engl J Homeopath, Spring-Summer, 8(1):71-75.

14. Pitt R. (1998) A case of ADD with violence. Simillimum, Fall, Vol XI(3):35-43.

15. Reichenberg-Ullman J. (1996) Aranea ixobola: Children with Attention Deficit Disorder: Two cases: (spider) Homeopathic Links, Summer, 9(2):82-84.

16. Reichenberg-Ullman J., Ullman R. (1996) Ritalin free kids. Safe and effective homeopathic medicine for ADD and other behavioural and learning problems. United States of America: Prima health.

17. Reichenberg-Ullman J., Ullman R. (1997) Ritalin-free kids. Mothering; 83:78-83.

18. Reichenberg-Ullman J., Ullman R. (1999) Rage free kids. Homeopathic medicine for defiant, aggressive, and violent children. United States of America: Prima health.

19. Reichenberg-Ullman J., Ullman R. (2000) Ritalin free kids. Safe and effective homeopathic medicine for ADD and other behavioural and learning problems (2nd Edition) Roseville, Ca: Prima Publishing.

20. Zaren A. (1993) A case of recurrent sinusitis and hyperactivity. Homeopathic Links, Spring, 6(1):16.

21. Frei H., Thurneysen A. (2001) Treatment for hyperactive children: homeopathy and methylphenidate compared in a family setting. British Homeopathic Journal, 90:183-188.

22. Frei H., Everts R., von Ammon K., Kaufmann F., Walther D., Hsu-Schmitz S.F., Collenberg M., Fuhrer K., Hassink R., Steinlin M., Thurneysen A. (2005) Homeopathic treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial. Eur J Pediatr, 164:758-767.

23. Jacobs J., Williams A.L., Girard C., Njike V.Y., Katz D. (2005) Homeopathy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot randomized-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med, Oct, 11(5):799-806.

24. Lamont J. (1997) Homeopathic treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a controlled study. Br Homeopathic J, 86:196-200.

25. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2006) Drug safety and risk management advisory committee meeting, Feb 9 and 10. [online] last accessed 22 April 2007 at URL http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/06/briefing/2006-4202_00_TOC.htm

26. Nissen S.E. (2006) ADHD drugs and cardiovascular risk. N Engl J Med, Apr, 354(14):1445-1449.

27. American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2000) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Fourth Edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

28. Baumgaertel A., Wolraich M.L. (1996) The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder based on the new DSM-IV criteria. Peabody Journal of Education, vol.71. [online] last accessed 22 April 2007 at URL http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=95829561

29. Medical News Today (MNT). (2006) Determining prevalence of ADHD adverse medication events, AACAP and APA pledge to work with FDA. 11 Feb. [online] last accessed 20 April 2007 at URL http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=37573

30. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2004) NIMH research on treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): The multimodal treatment study – questions and answers. National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 04/09. [online] last accessed 20 April 2007 at URL http://www.nimh.nih.gov/childhp/mtaqa.cfm