Sleep quality and levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in patients treated with homeopathy: a prospective study in the Brazilian public healthcare service

Authors

Keywords:

Homeopathy, Sleep disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Stress disorders, Health promotion, Chronic noncommunicable diseases, NCD, Homeopathic treatment, Public health, Sleep quality

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have a multifactorial etiology and are associated with psychosocial factors, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Sleep quality also influences general health and is associated with obesity and NCDs. Homeopathy, as a medical specialty, is effective in managing these conditions because of its comprehensive approach to individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of homeopathic treatment on sleep quality and levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational, longitudinal, and prospective study on individuals over 18 years of age with homeopathic medical follow-up for 6 months in the public healthcare service of Guarulhos, São Paulo.

METHODS: Participants were evaluated initially (T0) and after 3 (T1) and 6 months (T2) using validated questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale), following all ethical precepts. The scores were compared over time and correlated with each other (P < 0.05).

RESULTS: The mean patient age was 49 years. Initially, 81% of the participants had sleep disorders and severe or extremely severe levels of stress (33.78%), anxiety (28.38%), and depression (27.03%). A total of 26 patients were present at the three evaluation points, which were included as the participants of the study. Homeopathic treatment significantly improved sleep quality and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Sleep quality and anxiety were strongly (r = 0.53, P = 0.005) and weakly (r = 0.25, P = 0.021) correlated with stress, respectively.

CONCLUSION: In the short term, homeopathic treatment had a positive impact on the sample, suggesting that this therapy can be used to prevent NCDs.

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Author Biographies

Fernanda Maria Simões da Costa Fujino, Universidade de Santo Amaro (Unisa), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Homeopathic doctor at the Hahnemannian George Galvão Institute (IHGG) and the city hall of Guarulhos (SP), Brazil; master’s in Ciências da Saúde at the Universidade de Santo Amaro (Unisa), São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Ana Paula Ribeiro , Universidade de Santo Amaro (Unisa), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Physiotherapist; research and internationalization director, and professor of the Programa de Pós-Gradução em Ciências da Saúde at the Universidade de Santo Amaro, São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Denise Castanho Antunes , Multiprofessional Centre for Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (CEMPICS), Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil

Occupational therapist and manager of the Multiprofessional Centre for Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (CEMPICS), Guarulhos (SP), Brazil.

Renato Jimenez Gomez, Universidade de Santo Amaro (Unisa), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Nurse and master’s in Ciências da Saúde at the Universidade de Santo Amaro, São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

Physical educator and researcher on Sustainability, Physical Activity, Health and Well-being at the Universidade Politécnica de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Patrícia Colombo de Souza, Universidade de Santo Amaro (Unisa), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Nutritionist and professor of the Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde at the Universidade de Santo Amaro, São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

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Published

2026-01-21

How to Cite

1.
Fujino FMS da C, Ribeiro AP, Antunes DC, Gomez RJ, Furtado GE, Souza PC de. Sleep quality and levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in patients treated with homeopathy: a prospective study in the Brazilian public healthcare service. Sao Paulo Med J [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 21 [cited 2026 Jun. 2];143(6):1-6. Available from: https://periodicosapm.emnuvens.com.br/spmj/article/view/3033

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Vol. 143 No. 6 (2025)

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