Effects of an anthroposophical remedy on cardiorespiratory regulation.

CONTEXT

The human organism has the inherent ability to regulate and coordinate physiological functions to establish well-being. If this ability is disturbed, eg, in cases of orthostatic syndrome with purely functional disorders, an herbal remedy based on anthroposophical medicine may be able to regulate such rhythmic disturbances.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of the anthroposophical herbal remedy on stimulating the ability to regulate and coordinate physiological functions in healthy subjects.

DESIGN

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-nine healthy subjects; 49 received the remedy, 50 received the placebo.

INTERVENTION

Oral administration of the remedy for 4 weeks, 20 drops 4 times daily.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cardiorespiratory interaction was analyzed by 2 measures: the heart-respiratory ratio and the phase-coordination ratio of heartbeat and respiration. They were calculated from heart rate and respiratory rate, which were derived from 24-hour electrocardiogram recordings before and after the administration of the remedy. Improved normalization of these measures during nighttime sleep after administration of the remedy indicates a stimulation of regulation.

RESULTS

Oral administration of the remedy resulted in an improved normalization of heart-respiratory ratio, phase-coordination ratio and heart rate during nighttime sleep. These results were not observed in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

The remedy stimulates the regulation of cardiorespiratory interaction during nighttime sleep. Furthermore, improved normalization indicates a general improvement of the regulatory processes of functional rhythms.