Cutting Edge Research in Homeopathy: HRI's second international research conference in Rome

Rome, 3rd–5th June 2015, was the setting for the Homeopathy Research Institute's (HRI) second conference with the theme ‘Cutting Edge Research in Homeopathy’. Attended by over 250 delegates from 39 countries, this event provided an intense two and a half day programme of presentations and a forum for the sharing of ideas and the creation of international scientific collaborations. With 35 oral presentations from leaders in the field, the scientific calibre of the programme was high and the content diverse. This report summarises the key themes underpinning the cutting edge data presented by the speakers, including six key-note presentations, covering advancements in both basic and clinical research. Given the clear commitment of the global homeopathic community to high quality research, the resounding success of both Barcelona 2013 and Rome 2015 HRI conferences, and the dedicated support of colleagues, the HRI moves confidently forward towards the next biennial conference.

Keywords

Homeopathy research - Basic research - Laboratory models - Plant models - Clinical trials - Meta-analysis - Conference - Public health challenges - HRI

• References

• 1 Bellavite P., Conforti A., Marzotto M. et al. Testing homeopathy in mouse emotional response models: pooled data analysis of two series of studies. Evid Based Complement Altern Med 2012; 2012: 954374.
• 2 Marzotto M., Olioso D., Brizzi M. et al. Extreme sensitivity of gene expression in human SH-SY5Y neurocytes to ultra-low doses of Gelsemium sempervirens. BMC Complement Altern Med 2014; 14: 104.
• 3 Kleijnen J., Knipschild P., Ter Riet G. Clinical trials of homeopathy. BMJ 1991; 302: 316-323.
• 4 Mathie R.T., Lloyd S.M., Legg L.A. et al. Randomised placebo-controlled trials of individualised homeopathic treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 2014; 3: 142.
• 5 Sandri P., Aleixo D.L., Sanchez Falkowski G.J. et al. Trypanosoma cruzi: biotherapy made from trypomastigote modulates the inflammatory response. Homeopathy 2015; 104 (01) 48-56.
• 6 Baumgartner S., Doesburg P., Scherr C., Andersen J.O. Development of a biocrystallisation assay for examining effects of homeopathic preparations using cress seedlings. Evid Based Complement Altern Med 2012; 2012: 125945.
• 7 Marotti I., Betti L., Bregola V. et al. Transcriptome profiling of wheat seedlings following treatment with ultrahigh diluted arsenic trioxide. Evid Based Complement Altern Med 2014; 2014: 851263.
• 8 Endler P.C., Bellavite P., Bonamin L., Jager T. Update on repetitions of fundamental research models in ultra high dilutions – a bibliometric study. Homeopathy 2015; 104 in press.
• 9 Cartwright S.J. Solvatochromic dyes detect the presence of homeopathic potencies. Homeopathy 2015; 104 in press.
• 10 Barnett K., Mercer S.W., Norbury M. et al. Epidemiology of multimorbidity and implications for health care, research, and medical education: a cross-sectional study. Lancet 2012; 380 9836 37-43.
• 11 World Health Organisation (WHO): Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023. Available from: www.who.int/medicines/publications/traditional/trm_strategy14_23/en/.
• 12 Bernardini S., Cracolici F., Ferreri R., Rinaldi M., Pulcri R. Integration between orthodox medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture for inpatients: three years' experience in the first hospital for Integrated Medicine in Italy. J Tradit Complement Med 2015; 5 (04) 234-240.
• 13 Rossi E., Vita A., Baccetti S. et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for cancer patients: results of the EPAAC survey on integrative oncology centres in Europe. Support Care Cancer 2015; 23 (06) 1795-1806.
• 14 Posadzki P., Alotaibi A., Ernst E. Adverse effects of homeopathy: a systematic review of published case reports and case series. Int J Clin Pract 2012; 66: 1178-1188.
• 15 Taylor J.A., Jacobs J. Homeopathic ear drops as an adjunct in reducing antibiotic usage in children with acute otitis media. Glob Pediatr Health 2014; 1: 1-7.