Otitis Media Systematic Review
Lead Researcher – Dr Esther van der Werf
Completed October 2024
What is this project about?
This project aimed to assess the effectiveness of homeopathy for Otitis Media (OM) in terms of symptom relief and reduced antibiotic consumption, providing patients, practitioners and stakeholders with clear, comprehensive and objective information for a condition routinely treated with homeopathy.
A systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature on homeopathy was conducted, investigating individualised and non-individualised homeopathy for OM. Standard systematic review methodology identified suitable studies selection and data extraction.
Study findings indicate potential benefits for clinical improvement and reduced antibiotic use, with no safety concerns. Further research is required and warranted to fully establish homeopathy’s potential role in treating this condition.
Lead researcher
Dr Esther van der Werf MSc PhD Dip IACH (Hom)
Clinical Research Lead
Homeopathy Research Institute
Esther has an MSc in Epidemiology and MSc in Health Policy & Management from Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In 2006 she obtained her PhD on epidemiology and the urinary tract from Erasmus University Rotterdam. Esther is a qualified classical homeopath, trained in homeopathy at the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy (Professor George Vithoulkas, Greece).
She has more than 20 years’ experience of clinical research and project management and subsequently worked as an epidemiologist at University of Medical Centre Utrecht and University of Applied Sciences Leiden in the Netherlands. In 2015 Esther joined the Centre of Academic Primary Care of the University of Bristol, UK, to continue her research on Integrative Medicine and infectious diseases. From August 2018 until August 2019, she initiated and led the research group on Integrative Medicine at the School of Medicine of Taylor’s University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, followed by 2 years leading the Integrative Medicine research department at Louis Bolk Institute in The Netherlands.
Why is this project important?
OM is one of the most common infections experienced in the community and managed in primary care and are the most common reason for antibiotic prescribing in children internationally. Although complementary therapies are commonly used in conjunction with conventional care, there is currently a lack of research in this area.
Patients, clinicians and other stakeholders can only make informed choices about the use of medicines if they have good quality, robust information. This project served to provide clarity for a common condition for which the evidence that homeopathy can be considered effective is promising. With antibiotic resistance a growing issue in healthcare, any evidence-based treatment option which reduce their use will be of major benefit.
Publications generated by this HRI-funded project
The effectiveness of homeopathy in relieving symptoms and reducing antibiotic use in patients with otitis media: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Perry R, Huntley AL, Lai NM et al. Helion, 2024; 10(20): e39174
