Homoeopathy versus Conventional Therapy in Female Infertility: Interim Analysis of a Randomized Study

Author(s): Monga, B., Roebruck, P., Runnebaum, B.

Abstract: In the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Heidelberg, experiences in the treatment of infertile patients with homoeopathy have been gained for about seven years. The first promising results lead to a research funding application for a randomized treatment study at the BMBF (Ministry of Education and Research, Supported Programme 'Uncon-ventional Methods in Medicine') in 1993, which was approved in 1995. We aimed at treating 1,000 women with hormonal or idiopathic infertility randomly with conventional or homoeo- pathic therapy (constitutional remedies, simile principle) within a period of 2.5 years. The hypothesis that homoeopathy is superior to conventional therapy was tested with a type-1 error of a = 0.05 and a power of 1 - ß = 0.90. lt was expected to achieve a baby-take-home rate (efficacy variable) of 30% in the group treated with homoeopathy compared to 20% in the group with conventional therapy within one year. The interim analysis of the study after a period of one year is shown in detail, including the problems that occurred. Specific reasons are given why the original study design proved impossible toconduct. A practical modified study design is presented in orderto assess the efficacy of homoeopathic therapy in this patientpopulation within the given time and financial limits.

Keyword(s): Homöopathie

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