Strength of vital force in classical homeopathy: bio-psycho-social-spiritual correlates within a complex systems context.
OBJECTIVE
To explore associations between a global rating for the classical homeopathic construct of vital force and clinician and patient ratings on previously validated bio-psycho-social-spiritual questionnaires.


METHODS
Sixty-two (62) community-recruited patients with fibromyalgia (FM) were assessed at baseline prior to a clinical trial of individualized homeopathy. Two homeopaths jointly performed case-taking interviews. A conventional medical provider independently evaluated patients with a standardized history and physical examination. Homeopaths rated each patient's vital force (five-point Likert scale, with 1 = very weak to 5 = very strong). Homeopaths and the conventional medical provider rated their Clinical Global Impression (CGI) of the severity of illness (1 = normal; 7 = among the most extremely ill). Patients completed self-rating scales on pain, global health, mood, quality of life, coping style, health locus of control, multidimensional well-being, spirituality, sense of coherence, positive states of mind, and social desirability.


RESULTS
Greater vital force ratings (mean 2.9 standard deviation [SD] 0.6) correlated moderately (p < or = 0.005) with less severe CGI illness ratings by the homeopaths (r =-0.59), decreased patient-rated mental confusion (r =-0.43), higher vigor (r = 0.38), and greater positive states of mind (r = 0.36). Vital force also showed correlations (p < 0.05) with lower CGI ratings by the conventional medical provider (r =-0.32), better selfrated quality of life (r = 0.33), lesser fatigue (r =-0.31), better global health (r = 0.29), greater sense of coherence (r = 0.28), powerful-others health locus of control (r = 0.27), increased emotional well-being (r = 0.27), and higher social desirability (r = 0.27), but not with age, pain, or illness duration.


CONCLUSIONS
Homeopathic vital force ratings reflect better perceived mental function, energy, and positive dimensions of the individual, beyond absence of disease.
Bell
Iris R
IR
Department of Medicine and Program in Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85724-5153, USA. ibell@u.arizona.edu
Lewis
Daniel A
DA
Lewis
Sabrina E
SE
Brooks
Audrey J
AJ
Schwartz
Gary E
GE
Baldwin
Carol M
CM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006304:Health Status; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D019413:Qi; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors