Evaluation of homoeopathic treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study

Authors

Chetna Lamba, Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi
Praveen Oberai, Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi
Raj Manchanda, Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi
Padmalaya Rath, Dr. D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute (H), Noida, Uttar Pradesh
P Bindu, Extension Centre of Drug Standardization Unit, Princess Durru Shehvar Children's and General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana
Maya Padmanabhan, Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi

Keywords

Homoeopathy, Hyperandrogenism, Lifestyle modification, Menstrual regularity, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire

Article Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study was conducted with the primary objective of evaluating efficacy of Homoeopathy in establishing the menstrual regularity with improvement in either ultrasonological findings or hirsutism/acne. The quality of life was also assessed using polycystic ovary syndrome questionnaire (PCOSQ). Materials and Methods: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted from February 2014 to May 2015 at two research centres. The cases fulfilling the eligibility criteria were enrolled (n = 60) and randomised to either the homoeopathic intervention (HI) (n = 30) or identical placebo (P) (n = 30) with uniform lifestyle modification (LSM) for 6 months. Results: The menstrual regularity with improvement in other signs/symptoms was observed in 60% of the cases (n = 18) in HI + LSM group and none (n = 0) in control group (P = 0.001). Statistically significant difference (P = 0.016) was observed in reduction of intermenstrual duration (from 76.1 ± 37.7 to 46.6 ± 38.7 days) in HI + LSM in comparison to placebo + LSM group (from 93.0 ± 65.2 to 93.9 ± 96.2 days). In PCOSQ, also, significant improvement was observed in HI group in domains of weight, fertility, emotions and menstrual problems (P < 0.05) with no difference in body hair (P = 0.708). No change was observed in respect of improvement in the ultrasound findings. Pulsatilla was the most frequently indicated medicine (n = 12, 40%). Conclusion: HI along with LSM has shown promising outcome; further comparative study with standard conventional treatment on adequate sample size is desirable.

Digital Object Identifier

10.4103/ijrh.ijrh_18_18

Publisher

Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd.

How to cite this article

Lamba C, Oberai P, Manchanda R, Rath P, Bindu P, Padmanabhan M. Evaluation of homoeopathic treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2018;12(1):35-45. doi: 10.4103/ijrh.ijrh_18_18