Homeopathy and the COVID-19 pandemic: quasi-experimental observational study

Abstract

Background: the number of cases of Covid-19 reached more than 11 million people in Brazil, but mostly in Caxias city (Rio de Janeiro) high death rates are very worrysome. In this scenario, homeopathy therapy, along with sanitary and therapeutic measures, should be recommended by health authorities. Aims: to evaluate the use of homeopathic complex (Bryonia alba, China officinalis and Metallum album 30cH), concerning the severity of the illness, during the coronavirus pandemic. Methodology: the complex was administrated at multiple families from Caxias, with (FW) and without (FWO) symptoms similar to COVID-19’s, therefore qualifying the project as a quasi-experimental longitudinal observational cohort study (applied in 51 families or 128 people). With this, the influence of homeopathic intervention in sick (FW) and health (FWO) groups was estimated. All volunteers used three drops of the medicine, once a day, per 60 days. The medicine was prepared accordingly to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia1. The follow-up was carried out within seven days, which resulted in a total of 8 weeks, since the first interview. The data was organized and statistically analyzed with a 5% significance level, for categorical variables, by Fisher Exact test, in Excel sheet and SPSS 17.0 platform. The ethical committee approved this project under the code: CAAE 31601020.3.0000.5243. Results and Discussion: the preliminary results showed the absence of deaths in both groups (FW and FWO), without any statistically significant difference related to the severity of illness. Most of the families (98.03%) were thrilled to contribute in this particular homeopathic research and reported to have had general health symptoms’ improvements (84.31%). Despite the previous comorbidities presented in 52.9% of the families and considering that Covid-19 infected 0.020% of them, only 0.098% looked for medical assistance and none needed hospitalization. Conclusion: no differences between previous sick and health groups were detected after homeopathy intervention.