Homeopathy 2026; 115(01): A1-A26
DOI: 10.1055/a-2746-0351
Oral Presentation Abstracts

Homeopathy as a Personalised Adjuvant Approach in Treating Major Depressive Disorder: An N-of-1 Study and Physicochemical Analysis of Homeopathic Preparations

Authors

  • Ubiratan Cardinalli Adler

    1   Department of Medicine/Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos (São Paulo), Brazil

  • Maristela Schiabel Adler

    1   Department of Medicine/Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos (São Paulo), Brazil

  • Renan dos Santos Nogueira

    2   Federal University of Ceará, Walter Cantídio University Hospital/Medical Residency Program, Brazil

  • Márcio Normando Borges Coelho Filho

    2   Federal University of Ceará, Walter Cantídio University Hospital/Medical Residency Program, Brazil

  • Eugênio de Moura Campos

    3   Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine/Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil

  • Patrícia Andréa da Fonseca Magalhães

    4   Research Management Unit, Brazilian Hospital Services Company (EBSERH), Fortaleza, Brazil

  • Antonio Brazil Viana Júnior

    4   Research Management Unit, Brazilian Hospital Services Company (EBSERH), Fortaleza, Brazil

  • Anderson Carneiro Costa

    5   Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.

  • Raelle Ferreira Gomes

    6   Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry at the Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil

  • Regina Celia Monteiro de Paula

    6   Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry at the Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil

  • Rosemayre Souza Freire

    7   Crateús College of Education and Integrated Sciences (FAEC), Ceará State University, Brazil

  • Francisco Luan Fonsêca da Silva

    8   Health Sciences Center, Nutrition Course, Ceará State University, Fortaleza (Ceará), Brazil

  • Eduardo Mello Barroso Filho

    8   Health Sciences Center, Nutrition Course, Ceará State University, Fortaleza (Ceará), Brazil

  • Caren Nádia Soares de Sousa

    6   Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry at the Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil

  • Lia Lira Olivier Sanders

    3   Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine/Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
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Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is difficult to treat pharmacologically, highlighting the need for personalised approaches like homeopathy. This study examines the efficacy and safety of a standardised homeopathy protocol for MDD through N-of-1 trials. Findings from the first participant are reported, along with an analysis of the medications used.

Methods: A 28-week crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled N-of-1 trial was conducted. The participant, diagnosed with a major depressive episode, showed a 50% reduction in baseline depressive symptoms during homeopathic treatment (Sulphur LM2 and LM3). Three treatment blocks were completed, each with masked periods (Sulphur LM4–7 or placebo) lasting 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were depressive symptom progression, assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II). Secondary outcomes included clinical global impression severity (CGI-S) and improvement (CGI-I) scores and the mental (MCS-12) and physical (PCS-12) components of the SF-12 health survey. Adverse events were monitored. The composition of Sulphur LM2–7 was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Results: Linear regression showed a significant increase in BDI-II scores during placebo periods, but not with homeopathic treatment. MCS-12 scores decreased during placebo, in-line with the BDI-II findings. No significant trends appeared in PCS-12 scores. CGI-S scores improved from “markedly ill” to “borderline mentally ill” during the run-in period and remained stable. CGI-I scores improved to “very much improved” and remained unchanged throughout the trial. SEM identified nanoparticles in Sulphur LM4, while DLS and ICP-MS confirmed nanomaterials in Sulphur LM2–7.

Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest the homeopathic protocol is more effective than placebo in treating MDD. Homeopathy may be considered a form of personalised nanomedicine.

Keywords: depression, homeopathy, N-of-1 studies, translational research, nanomedicine



Publication History

Article published online:
03 February 2026

© 2026. Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.

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