Homeopathy for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To carry out a preliminary trial evaluating the effectiveness of two types of homeopathy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled.


METHODS
Private medical clinic, Seattle, WA.


METHODS
Women with a history of breast cancer who had completed all surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment and who had an average of at least three hot flashes per day for the previous month.


METHODS
Subjects were randomized to receive either an individualized homeopathic single remedy, a homeopathic combination medicine, or placebo. Patients were seen by homeopathic providers every 2 months for 1 year.


METHODS
Hot flash frequency and severity, Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), Short Form 36 (SF-36).


RESULTS
There was no significant difference found in the primary outcome measure, the hot flash severity score, although there was a positive trend in the single remedy group during the first 3 months of the study (p = 0.1). A statistically significant improvement in general health score in both homeopathy groups (p < 0.05) on the SF-36 after 1 year was found. Evidence of a homeopathic "drug proving" in the subjects receiving the homeopathic combination medicine who were not taking tamoxifen also was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Small sample size precludes definitive answers, but results from this preliminary trial suggest that homeopathy may be of value in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and improving quality of life, especially in those women not on tamoxifen. Larger studies should be carried out that also include healthy women who want to avoid hormone replacement therapy.
Jacobs
Jennifer
J
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. jjacobs@igc.org
Herman
Patricia
P
Heron
Krista
K
Olsen
Steven
S
Vaughters
Lucy
L
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome