Journal of Palliative Care & Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Purpose: Persistent insomnia is highly prevalent complaint in cancer survivors, but is seldom satisfactorily addressed. The adaptation to cancer care of a validated, cost-effective intervention may offer a practicable solution. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of homeopathy for insomnia. Patients & Methods: Randomized, controlled, pragmatic, two-center trial of homeopathy versus treatment as usual (TAU) in 160 patients who had completed active therapy for breast, prostate, colorectal, or gynecological cancer. Primary outcomes were sleep diary measures at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Actigraphic sleep, health-related quality of life (QOL), psychological distress, and fatigue were secondary measures. Homeopathy treatment was individualized along with cancer treatment. TAU represented normal clinical practice; the appropriate control for a clinical effectiveness study. Results: Participants who received homeopathy treatment had significantly better subjective sleep indices (daily sleep diary, Insomnia Severity Index), a lower frequency of medicated nights, lower levels of depression and anxiety, and greater global quality of life at post-treatment compared with participants of TAU. The therapeutic effects were well maintained up to 6 months and were clinically significant. Conclusion: Homeopathy for insomnia may be both clinically effective and feasible to deliver in real world practice.

Biography

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