Monitoring improvement in health during homeopathic intervention. Development of an assessment tool based on Hering's Law of Cure: the Hering's Law Assessment Tool (HELAT)

Brien, Sarah B., Harrison, Hugh, Daniels, June and Lewith, George (2012) Monitoring improvement in health during homeopathic intervention. Development of an assessment tool based on Hering's Law of Cure: the Hering's Law Assessment Tool (HELAT). Homeopathy, 101 (1), 28-37. (doi:10.1016/j.homp.2011.10.002). (PMID:22226312)

Abstract

Introduction: Hering’s ‘Law of Cure’ is considered important in homeopathy and
thought to predict a positive outcome to treatment. No formal outcome measures are
currently available to monitor response to homeopathic treatment on the basis of these
assumptions. We describe a simple assessment tool, the Hering’s Law Assessment Tool
(HELAT) to identify and differentiate patient responses to homeopathic treatment as corresponding
to Hering’s Law from other symptomatic responses. We describe the development
of the tool and assess its face, content and predictive validity.
Method: The HELAT was initially developed through literature review, discussion between
homeopaths and clinical experience. In phase one, the tool was reviewed by three
experienced homeopaths to assess face and content validity. In phase two, we tested its
predictive validity by hypothesizing that the HELAT total score may predict changes in
a clinical response (using standard validated rheumatological outcome, the American
College of Rheumatology (ACR)20%) in 32 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving
homeopathic intervention over 24 weeks as part of a clinical trial.
Results: The HELAT was piloted and changed to improve face and content validity and
the final version was then employed for phase two as a predictor of outcome. HELAT total
score predicted patient’s clinical response (ACR20) [B = 1.142, SE = 0.462, P = 0.013]
which was independent of practitioner assessing the patients treatment response
[B = 1.04, SE = 1.01, P = 0.302].
Conclusion: The initial data suggests that the HELAT may hold promise for a potential
clinical and research outcome measure in homeopathy. Further work is now needed to
formally assess its reliability and validity for potential use in clinical practice and trials.

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Contributors

Author: Sarah B. Brien

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