Abstract
M. Tech.
Insomnia is defined as inadequate sleep due to difficulty falling asleep, difficulty
staying asleep, waking up too early, and not being able to get back to sleep. In
Western industrialised nations, between 30% and 40% of individuals suffer from at
least occasional periods of sleep disturbance. The significance of sleep lies in its
impact on the Central Nervous System as extended periods without sleep will result
in disturbances in mental function.
The remedy used in this study was Coffea cruda 200cH. This homoeopathic remedy
is used clinically for its sedative and calming effect on the nervous system, in the
homoeopathic treatment of insomnia. Although there is some research evidence that
Coffea cruda has an effect on sleep in animals, there is no research on its effect on
human subjects.
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a homoeopathic remedy Coffea
cruda 200cH in the treatment of insomnia that is characterised with a difficulty in
falling asleep. The quality of sleep was assessed in terms of duration of sleep,
changes in sleep pattern, and satisfaction with sleep.
This was a double blind placebo controlled study. The duration of the clinical trial
lasted for four weeks. A total of thirty participants, meeting the inclusion criteria
(Appendix B) were recruited via advertisements (Appendix E) in local newspapers,
pamphlets and emails, sent in and around the University of Johannesburg Health
Clinic, the University of Witwatersrand Sleep Unit, campuses, shopping malls and
residential areas. Participants were also recruited via advertisements on a local radio
station. At the initial consultation the participants were requested to sign a consent
form (Appendix A). The researcher then completed the questionnaire (Appendix B)
to assess suitability for the study. Participants were given a 50ml bottle of
medication in liquid form, and were requested to shake the bottle and then take ten
iv
drops under the tongue just before going to bed, for four weeks. A homoeopathic
pharmaceutical company blinded the medication. By selecting a medication, the
participant automatically allocated themselves to either the experimental or control
group. Participants were also given a sleep diary to be completed every morning
(Appendix C). There were follow up visits with participants on the second and fourth
week where the sleep diary was checked to improve compliance and a case history
was taken (Appendix D). All results were compared to the initial assessment and
changes were recorded. Data were analysed according to the General Linear Model:
Repeated Measures, Mann-Whitney test (non-parametric test), Cross-tabulation,
Fisher’s exact test and Regression Analysis.
Statistical data proved that both the experimental and control groups had statistically
significant results. It is unclear why the control group behaved in the same way as
the experimental group. A longer trial is required to distinguish if this was purely due
to the placebo effect.