Effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in reducing the size of non-specific chronic leg ulcers - A single-arm, prospective observational study

Authors

Greeshma IK, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy-National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam, Kerala, IndiaFollow
Dastagiri P, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy-National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam, Kerala, IndiaFollow

Author ORCID Identifier(s)

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7930-3685

Corresponding Author

Dastagiri P

Keywords

Arterial ulcer, Chronic leg ulcer, Euro QOL score, Homoeopathy, LUMT score, Traumatic ulcer, Varicose ulcer

Article Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: A chronic leg ulcer (CLU) is a chronic wound of the leg that does not tend to heal easily. Venous, arterial insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, or a combination of these factors may cause pain, restricted mobility, impaired social activities, and increased personal expenses, all of which can adversely affect the quality of life. Objectives: To determine the e ectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in reducing the size of non-specific chronic leg ulcers using the Leg Ulcer Measurement Tool (LUMT) and changes in the quality of life by the Euro QoL (EQ-5D-3L) score. Materials and methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted at the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam, India, from February 2021 to August 2022, and was registered in CTRI/2021/02/030951. Out of 35 cases, 34 completed the treatment for six months and were analyzed by evaluating the size of the ulcer, LUMT score, and Euro QoL score at baseline, as well as at the 3rd and 6th months. Results: Of 52 screened patients, 35 were enrolled and prescribed individualized homoeopathic medicine. Statistically significant reduction was observed in the size of the ulcer, from 5.6 cm2 to 0 and in the LUMT score from 31 to 7 (pp < 0.001). Lycopodium clavatum, Sulphur, Lachesis mutus, Phosphorus, Arsenicum album, Mercurius solubilis, Natrum muriaticum, and Pulsatilla nigricans were frequently indicated, and no serious adverse events were recorded during the study. Conclusion: The study determined that individualised Homoeopathy effectively reduces the size of non-specific chronic leg ulcers and improves patients’ QoL. Well-designed pragmatic trials are warranted.

Digital Object Identifier

10.53945/2320-7094.2064

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

Greeshma IK, Dastagiri P. Effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in reducing the size of non-specific chronic leg ulcers- A single-arm, prospective observational study. Indian J Res Homoeopathy. 2025;19(4):370–82.