Br Homeopath J 2001; 90(04): 189-197
DOI: 10.1054/homp.1999.0511
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2001

Observational study of quality of life in patients with headache, receiving homeopathic treatment

G Muscari-Tomaioli
a   Study Group on Non Conventional Medicine of the Medical Association of Venice, Italy
b   Homeopathic Medicine School of Verona, Italy
,
F Allegri
a   Study Group on Non Conventional Medicine of the Medical Association of Venice, Italy
,
E Miali
a   Study Group on Non Conventional Medicine of the Medical Association of Venice, Italy
,
R Pomposelli
b   Homeopathic Medicine School of Verona, Italy
c   Belladonna Homeopathic Association, Milan, Italy
,
P Tubia
a   Study Group on Non Conventional Medicine of the Medical Association of Venice, Italy
b   Homeopathic Medicine School of Verona, Italy
,
A Targhetta
a   Study Group on Non Conventional Medicine of the Medical Association of Venice, Italy
,
M Castellini
b   Homeopathic Medicine School of Verona, Italy
,
P Bellavite
d   Observatory of Complementary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Morphological Sciences of Verona University, Italy
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received30 April 2001
revised30 May 2001

accepted09 July 2001

Publication Date:
28 May 2018 (online)

Abstract

This study describes the results obtained from a prospective observational research of homeopathic treatment for patients suffering from headache (migraine with- and without aura and tension-type headache). Fifty-three patients were asked to complete the SF-36 questionnaire at the beginning of the treatment and after 4–6 months. The homeopathic medicine and potency were not pre-defined, but were adapted to each single patient according to individualised homeopathic prescription. Most patients (73.6%) completed the study. There was heterogeneity in the answers (patients in very poor health as well as those with only slight disorders). Analysis of the data according to the concept of ‘intention-to-treat’ showed that after therapy, the mean and median scores of all life quality dimensions rose. More than 60% of the cases experienced an improvement in pain and the limitations caused by pain, as well as in limitations in social activities and health in general. All the differences between pre/post treatment were statistically highly significant, with the strongest results in the ‘bodily pain’ and ‘vitality’ parameters (P<0.0001).