Startseite Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial
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Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

  • Shubhamoy Ghosh EMAIL logo , Rai Khushboo Ravindra , Amila Modak , Shukdeb Maiti , Arunava Nath , Munmun Koley und Subhranil Saha ORCID logo
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 3. Juni 2021
Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Aus der Zeitschrift Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Band 20 Heft 1

Abstract

Objectives

Homeopathic treatment is claimed to be beneficial for primary dysmenorrhoea (PD); still, systematic research evidences remain compromised. This study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IH) against placebo in the treatment of PD.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the gynecology outpatient department of Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India. Patients were randomized to receive either IH (n=64) or identical-looking placebo (n=64). Primary and secondary outcome measures were 0–10 numeric rating scales (NRS) measuring intensity of pain of dysmenorrhea and verbal multidimensional scoring system (VMSS) respectively; all measured at baseline, and every month, up to 3 months. Group differences and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated on intention-to-treat (ITT) sample.

Results

Groups were comparable at baseline (all p>0.05). Attrition rate was 10.9% (IH: 7, placebo: 7). Differences between groups in both pain NRS and VMSS favoured IH over placebo at all time points (all p<0.001, unpaired t-tests and two-ways repeated measures analysis of variance) with medium to large effect sizes. Natrum muriaticum and Pulsatilla nigricans (n=20 each; 15.6%) were the most frequently prescribed medicines. No harms, serious adverse events and intercurrent illnesses were recorded in either of the groups.

Conclusions

Homeopathic medicines acted significantly better than placebo in the treatment of PD. Independent replication is warranted. Trial registration: CTRI/2018/10/016013.

Keywords: homeopathy; numeric rating scale; placebo; primary dysmenorrhea; randomized controlled trial
Corresponding author: Prof. (Dr.) Shubhamoy Ghosh, BHMS, MD (Hom), MSc, Head, Dept. of Pathology & Microbiology, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Govt. of West Bengal, Dr. Bholanath Chakraborty Sarani, Bantra, Doomurjola, 711104 Howrah, West Bengal, India, Phone: +91 9831034229, +91 8240773920, E-mail:

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to institutional heads, both academic and hospital section for allowing us to conduct the trial. We sincerely thank the fellow postgraduate trainees, staff, pharmacists and the patients for their sincere participation in the study.

  1. Research funding: None declared.

  2. Author contributions: SG, RKR, AM, and SM: Concept, literature search, clinical study, data acquisition, data interpretation and preparation of the article; AN, MK and SS: Concept, literature search, design, data interpretation, statistical analysis, preparation of the article. All the authors reviewed and approved the final paper.

  3. Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.

  4. Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.

  5. Ethical approval: The study protocol was sanctioned by the institutional ethical committee (IEC) [Ref. No. 1364/MBHMHC/CH/PRIN/ADM/18; dated September 25, 2018].

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Supplementary Material

The online version of this article offers supplementary material (https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2020-0512).

Received: 2020-12-29
Accepted: 2021-05-25
Published Online: 2021-06-03

© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2020-0512
Schlagwörter für diesen Artikel
homeopathy; numeric rating scale; placebo; primary dysmenorrhea; randomized controlled trial

Artikel in diesem Heft

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Reviews
  3. Does acupuncture improve sexual dysfunction? A systematic review
  4. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – discussed under the light of Unani medicine
  5. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Celastrus paniculatus Wild.: a nootropic drug
  6. Low back pain patients’ perceived effectiveness of utilizing complementary and alternative medicine: a systematic review of qualitative studies
  7. Efficacy and tolerability of Lavandula angustifolia in treating patients with the diagnosis of depression: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
  8. Research Articles
  9. Psychobiotic interventions attenuate chronic alcohol use-mediated exacerbation of posttraumatic stress disorder in rats: the role of gut-liver axis response
  10. Evaluation of the toxicity of crude aqueous Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Singer extract in mice
  11. Effects of crude methanol extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp on Naja nigricollis venom-induce toxicity in Wistar rats
  12. Integrative medicine approaches to chronic depression: case studies of the recovery process with a three-step path to recovery and significant cure
  13. Antimicrobial, anti-adhesion, anti-biofilm properties of goji berry (Lycium barbarum) against periodontal bacteria: potential benefits for periodontal diseases
  14. Method development and validation for quantification of six bioactive compounds (andrographolide, columbin, piperine, gallic, paracoumaric and oleanolic acids) by HPTLC
  15. Gallic acid a flavonoid isolated from Euphorbia hirta antagonizes gamma radiation induced radiotoxicity in lymphocytes in vitro
  16. Naturopathic knowledge and approaches to managing endometriosis: a cross-sectional survey of naturopaths with experience in endometriosis care
  17. Halimeda gracilis (Kadarpassi chooranam) Phytochemical analysis and biological significance – a novel Siddha drug
  18. Trends in the St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) research literature: a bibliometric analysis
  19. Use and perception of complementary and alternative medicine among Iranian psychologists
  20. Innovative histological and histochemical characterization of tongue biopsies from patients with burning mouth syndrome
  21. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial to evaluate the effect of EstroSense® on 2-hydroxyestrone:16α-hydroxyestrone ratio in premenopausal women
  22. Comparing the influence of foot reflexology and fasting mimicking diet on quality of life and sleep quality in obesity hypoventilation syndrome
  23. The effects of Cynodon dactylon (Poaceae family) and Dolichos biflorus (Fabaceae family) extracts on decreasing size and excretion of kidney and urinary tract stones: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial
  24. Role of Bifidobacterium spp. intake in improving depressive mood and well-being and its link to kynurenine blood level: an interventional study
  25. A randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of a Unani formulation in the management of Kalaf (Melasma)
  26. Impact of yoga and physical exercise on psychological wellbeing among substance abusers: a randomized controlled trial
  27. A non-inferiority randomized controlled clinical trial comparing Unani formulations and PUVAsol in non-segmental vitiligo
  28. Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial
  29. A comparative study of chemical constituents and safety of Thai herbal medicated oil formula and traditional medicated oil
  30. Efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment protocol in gouty arthritis – a clinical study
  31. Knowledge, attitude and perception of complementary and alternative system of medicine in Tamilnadu and Pudhucherry, South India
  32. Discussion Forum
  33. Time to say good-bye? Homeopathy, skeptics and thoughts on how to proceed
  34. Congress Abstracts
  35. 2022 INCAM Research Symposium
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