Standard Deviation as Outcome Parameter in Plant-based Test Systems Investigating Homeopathic Preparations in High Potency Levels

Based on an a posteriori analysis of a dataset consisting of seven independent experiments of a dwarf pea (Pisum sativum) bioassay investigating potentized Gibberellic acid 17x, a positive correlation of standard deviation standardized effect size was observed. This relationship seems counterintuitive since a higher standard deviation decreases the signal-to-noise ratio. Although different investigations already had hypothesized an influence of a treatment with homeopathic preparations on standard deviation (Nani et. al. 2007: smaller standard deviation in treatment groups compared with control groups), a possible correlation to effect size had not been investigated. If the same relationship between standard deviation and standardized effect size is detectable in other datasets, it can be hypothesized that a corresponding correlation might be a specific characteristic of test systems reacting to homeopathic preparations. We therefore analyzed two further datasets of plant-based test systems investigating homeopathic preparations (arsenic-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) treated with Ars alb potencies between 17x and 33x; and copper chloride crystallization pictures of cress (Lepidium sativum) treated with Stannum met 30x regarding a possible relationship between standardized effect size and standard deviation. Both test systems used systematic negative control experiments in parallel to main experiments that were analyzed in the same way in this investigation. In both test systems (duckweed and cress), a positive correlation of standard deviation and standardized effect size was detected in the treatment groups of main experiments, but not in systematic negative control experiments. Therefore, there seems to be a pattern in the data that needs further in-depth investigation. We want to encourage other working groups to test their datasets for a similar correlation. Additionally, we propose different interpretations of the finding and its application in further test series.

Keywords: In vitro test-systems, standard deviation, standardized effect size, homeopathy

Publication History

Article published online:
30 January 2024