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Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Volume 13, Issue 1, February 2007, Pages 15-24
 
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doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2006.07.003    How to Cite or Link Using DOI (Opens New Window)
Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

Sunflower therapy for children with specific learning difficulties (dyslexia): A randomised, controlled trial

Leona Bulla, b, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author

aDepartment of Education, Brunel University, Twickenham, TW1 1PT, UK bSchool of Life Sciences, Roehampton University, London SW15 3SN, UK

Available online 15 December 2006.

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Summary

The aim of the study was to determine the clinical and perceived effectiveness of the Sunflower therapy in the treatment of childhood dyslexia. The Sunflower therapy includes applied kinesiology, physical manipulation, massage, homeopathy, herbal remedies and neuro-linguistic programming. A multi-centred, randomised controlled trial was undertaken with 70 dyslexic children aged 6–13 years. The research study aimed to test the research hypothesis that dyslexic children ‘feel better’ and ‘perform better’ as a result of treatment by the Sunflower therapy. Children in the treatment group and the control group were assessed using a battery of standardised cognitive, Literacy and self-esteem tests before and after the intervention. Parents of children in the treatment group gave feedback on their experience of the Sunflower therapy. Test scores were compared using the Mann Whitney, and Wilcoxon statistical tests. While both groups of children improved in some of their test scores over time, there were no statistically significant improvements in cognitive or Literacy test performance associated with the treatment. However, there were statistically significant improvements in academic self-esteem, and reading self-esteem, for the treatment group. The majority of parents (57.13%) felt that the Sunflower therapy was effective in the treatment of learning difficulties. Further research is required to verify these findings, and should include a control group receiving a dummy treatment to exclude placebo effects.

Keywords: Dyslexia; Children; Osteopathy; Applied kinesiology; Chiropractic

Article Outline

Introduction
The Sunflower therapy
Methods
Study subjects
Ethics
Intervention
Outcome measures
Statistical analyses
Results
Sample characteristics
Baseline comparisons between the treatment group and the control group
Within-group differences in the Sunflower trial
Between group differences in the Sunflower trial
Perceived effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, by parents
Discussion
Conclusion
References

 
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