Individualised homoeopathic medicine versus placebo in the pain management of knee and hip osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised controlled trial

Authors

Azizul Islam Khadim, R.B.T.S. Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, IndiaFollow
Vivek Kumar Shail, R.B.T.S. Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, IndiaFollow
Kanak Kumar, R.B.T.S. Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, IndiaFollow
Sabiha Naaz, R.B.T.S. Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, IndiaFollow
Abhijit Chakma, Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Agartala, Tripura, IndiaFollow

Corresponding Author

Dr. Abhijit Chakma

Keywords

Hip, individualised homoeopathic medicine, knee, osteoarthritis knee and hip quality of life, osteoarthritis, visual analogue scale

Article Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, degenerative disease affecting large weight-bearing joints. The severity of symptoms varies among individuals; whereas pain and stiffness are the most troublesome complaints. Homoeopathic medicines have the potential to manage pain episodes. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of individualised homoeopathic medicine (IHM) in managing the pain of knee and hip OA. Methods: A prospective, double-blind, randomised (1:1) placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 60 individuals suffering from OA at R.B.T.S. Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Muzaffarpur. Visual analogue scale for pain (Score-A-1), stiffness (Score-A-2) and loss of function (Score-A-3) was the primary outcomes and the OKHQOL scale (Score-B) was the secondary outcome. The outcomes were measured at baseline and after 3 months. Comparative analysis was done to detect group differences. Intra and intergroup analysis was done by paired and unpaired t-tests, respectively. Results: Statistically significant results were observed in both intra and intergroup outcomes (P < 0.05, at 95% CI). The group differences in Score-A-1 (mean difference: −5.83, 95% CI: −6.71to−4.94, P < 0.001), Score-A-2 (mean difference: −5.43, 95% CI: −6.38to−4.48, P < 0.001), Score-A-3 (mean difference: −5.60, 95% CI: −6.50to-4.69, P < 0.001) and in Score-B (mean difference: −106.87, 95% CI: −142.77 to−70.96, P < 0.001) were statistically significant after 3 months. However, the improvement was much better in the IHM group than in the placebo group. The frequently indicated medicines were Rhus toxicodendron, Medorrhinum, Bryonia and Syphilinum. Conclusion: This study shows that IHMs can improve the pain in knee and hip OA, as well as the quality of life.

Digital Object Identifier

10.53945/2320-7094.1250

Publisher

Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

How to cite this article

Khadim AI, Shail VK, Kumar K, Naaz S, Chakma A. Individualised homoeopathic medicine versus placebo in the pain management of knee and hip osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2023;17(3):133-142. doi: 10.53945/2320-7094.1250