Impact of Homeopathy for Persistent Insomnia in Patients With Cancer

Randomized Controlled Trial of Homeopathy Compared With Treatment As Usual for Persistent Insomnia in Patients With Cancer

Persistent insomnia is highly prevalent complaint in cancer survivors, but is seldom satisfactorily addressed. The adaptation to cancer care of a validated, cost-effective intervention may offer a practicable solution. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of homeopathy for insomnia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• scheduled to begin chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• meet diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia (i.e., lasting for at least one month)
• Chronic insomnia has been defined in previous research:as the presence of (1) three or more episodes of insomnia (i.e., ≥ 30minuteSOL, ≥ 60minute wake after sleep onset (WASO), or ≤ 6.5 hour total sleep time (TST) per night) of per week and (2) daytime effects of insomnia, such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, or fatigue for at least one month.
• have the permission of their oncologists to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

• untreated alcohol or substance abuse or dependence,
• bipolar, or psychotic disordermedical conditions such as seizure disorder, restless leg disorder, or Parkinson's disease
• untreated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
• Taking other alternative medicines