An example of Research being undertaken by the Homeopathy Research Institute

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) randomised controlled trial

A collaboration between researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, and clinicians and patients at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. More

Overview:

It is often suggested that the improvement patients report from homeopathy is due to the ‘time and attention’ they receive during the consultation with the homeopath. Others believe that the improvement reported by patients is due to the therapeutic effect of the homeopathic medicines. Researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield are working with clinicians and patients at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to address this question.

Current status:

NHS Research Ethics Committee approval and NHS Research Governance approval have been obtained. This study is currently recruiting patients to the observational study from which some patients will be randomly selected to receive usual care plus treatment by a homeopath or usual care plus ‘supportive listening’. The condition chosen for this study is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – a common, chronic disorder that affects an estimated 10.5% of the population (Wilson, Roberts et al. 2004). IBS is one of the most common conditions treated by NHS homeopaths (Mathie 2006; Spence et al, 2005) and there is promising clinical research regarding the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines and treatment by homeopaths for this condition (Owen 1990; Rahlfs 1976, Rahlfs 1979, Gray, 1998).

Team:

Dr K Kapur – Consultant Gastroenterologist, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Dr E Said – Registrar Gastroenterology
Mrs J Raw – Registered Homeopath
Mrs C Walters – Registered Homeopath
Dr C Relton – Research Fellow, School of Healthcare, University of Sheffield, Registered Homeopath                                                                                                                                      Ms Emily Peckham – PhD student, School of Healthcare, University of Leeds
Professor K Thomas – School of Healthcare, University of Leeds
Dr CM Smith – Research Fellow in Acute Care, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Miss E Goodwin – Acting Research Fellow, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Mrs Bowen – Patient Representative 

Principal Investigator:

K Kapur

Funding:

Project has secured the bulk of its funding and is currently seeking a final £10K.

For more information go to

http://www.homeoinst.org/research-projects

A gentle miracle post by David.