| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2629278 | Complementary Therapies in Medicine | 2008 | 7 Pages |
SummaryObjectivesTo assess, over a period of 12 months, whether homoeopathic treatment could influence eczema signs/symptoms and quality of life (QoL) compared with conventional treatment.DesignProspective multi-centre cohort study.SettingChildren with eczema aged 1–16 years were recruited from primary care practices.InterventionsConventional versus homoeopathic treatment.Outcome measuresPatients (or parents) assessed eczema symptoms by numerical rating scales as well as disease-specific Atopie Lebensqualitaets-Fragebogen (ALF) and general quality of life (KINDL, KITA) at 0, 6 and 12 months.ResultsA total of 118 children were included: 54 from homoeopathic (mean age ± S.D. was 5.1 ± 3.3 years; 56% boys) and 64 from conventional practices (6.2 ± 3.8 years; 61% boys). Eczema symptoms (assessed by patients or their parents) improved from 0 to 12 months for both treatment options, but did not differ between the two groups: 3.5–2.5 versus 3.4–2.1; p = 0.447 (adjusted). Disease-related quality of life improved in both groups similarly. In the subgroup of children aged 8–16 years the general quality of life showed a better trend for conventional treatment compared with homoeopathic treatment (p = 0.030).ConclusionsThis observational study is the first long-term prospective investigation to compare homoeopathic and conventional treatment of eczema in children. Over a period of 12 months, both therapy groups improved similarly regarding perception of eczema symptoms (assessed by patients or parents) and disease-related quality of life.
