[Omeo33] Art 1088 - Homeopathy, 2010, 99 (1), 63-68

[Gino Santini]

Chronic primary insomnia: Efficacy of homeopathic simillimum
David Francis Naudé, Ingrid Marcelline Stephanie Couchman and Ashnie  
Maharaj

Introduction
Chronic primary insomnia is defined as difficulty in initiating or  
maintaining sleep or of non-restorative sleep that lasts for at least  
1 month and causes significant distress or impairment in social,  
occupational or other important areas of functioning. The homeopathic  
simillimum is that remedy which most closely corresponds to the  
totality of symptoms; remedy selection is based on a full evaluation  
of the patient's physical, emotional and mental characteristics.
Aim/Purpose
The purpose of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study  
was to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathic simillimum in the  
treatment of chronic primary insomnia.
Method
30 participants were selected in accordance with DSM-IV TR (2000)1  
criterion 307.42 Primary Insomnia and then randomly divided between  
treatment and placebo groups. The measurement tools used were a Sleep  
Diary (SD) and the Sleep Impairment Index (SII).2
After an initial consultation, 2 follow-up consultations at 2-week  
intervals took place. Homeopathic medication was prescribed at the  
first and second consultations. The SII was completed at each  
consultation and participants were instructed at the first  
consultation to start the SD.
Results
SD data revealed that verum treatment resulted in a significant  
increase in duration of sleep throughout the study, compared to the  
placebo treatment which resulted in no significant increase in  
duration of sleep. A significant improvement in SII summary scores and  
number of improved individual questions were found in the verum group,  
responses to all 11 questions having improved significantly upon  
completion of the study. An initial improvement occurred in the  
placebo group, but was not sustained. Comparison of results between  
the groups revealed a statistically significant difference.
Conclusion
The homeopathic simillimum treatment of primary insomnia was  
effective, compared to placebo. Homeopathy is a viable treatment  
modality for this condition and further research is justified.

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