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document
Strength of vital force in classical homeopathy : bio-psycho-social-spiritual correlates within a complex systems context . OBJECTIVE To explore associations between a global rating for the classical homeopathic construct of vital force and clinician and patient ratings on previously validated bio-psycho-social-spiritual questionnaires . METHODS Sixty-two ( 62 ) community-recruited patients with fibromyalgia ( FM ) were assessed at baseline prior to a clinical trial of individualized homeopathy . Two homeopaths jointly performed case-taking interviews . A conventional medical provider independently evaluated patients with a standardized history and physical examination . Homeopaths rated each patient 's vital force ( five-point Likert scale , with 1 = very weak to 5 = very strong ) . Homeopaths and the conventional medical provider rated their Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) of the severity of illness ( 1 = normal ; 7 = among the most extremely ill ) . Patients completed self-rating scales on pain , global health , mood , quality of life , coping style , health locus of control , multidimensional well-being , spirituality , sense of coherence , positive states of mind , and social desirability . RESULTS Greater vital force ratings ( mean 2.9 standard deviation [ SD ] 0.6 ) correlated moderately ( p < or = 0.005 ) with less severe CGI illness ratings by the homeopaths ( r =-0.59 ) , decreased patient-rated mental confusion ( r =-0.43 ) , higher vigor ( r = 0.38 ) , and greater positive states of mind ( r = 0.36 ) . Vital force also showed correlations ( p < 0.05 ) with lower CGI ratings by the conventional medical provider ( r =-0.32 ) , better selfrated quality of life ( r = 0.33 ) , lesser fatigue ( r =-0.31 ) , better global health ( r = 0.29 ) , greater sense of coherence ( r = 0.28 ) , powerful-others health locus of control ( r = 0.27 ) , increased emotional well-being ( r = 0.27 ) , and higher social desirability ( r = 0.27 ) , but not with age , pain , or illness duration . CONCLUSION Homeopathic vital force ratings reflect better perceived mental function , energy , and positive dimensions of the individual , beyond absence of disease .
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Intervention_Educational
case-taking interviews
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Intervention_Educational
self-rating scales
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Outcome_Physical
Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) of the severity of illness
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Outcome_Pain
self-rating scales on pain
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Outcome_Physical
global health
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Outcome_Mental
mood
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Outcome_Other
quality of life
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Outcome_Mental
coping style
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Outcome_Mental
health locus of control
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Outcome_Mental
multidimensional well-being
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Outcome_Mental
spirituality
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Outcome_Mental
sense of coherence
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Outcome_Mental
positive states of mind
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Outcome_Mental
social desirability
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Outcome_Physical
vital force ratings
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Outcome_Physical
CGI illness
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Outcome_Mental
patient-rated mental confusion
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Outcome_Mental
vigor
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Outcome_Mental
positive states of mind
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Outcome_Physical
CGI ratings
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Outcome_Other
quality of life
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Outcome_Physical
fatigue
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Outcome_Physical
better global health
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Outcome_Mental
greater sense of coherence
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Outcome_Mental
powerful-others health locus of control
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Outcome_Mental
increased emotional well-being
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Outcome_Mental
higher social desirability
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Participant_Condition
Sixty-two ( 62 ) community-recruited patients with fibromyalgia ( FM )
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Participant_Condition
Two homeopaths jointly performed case-taking interviews .