Homoeopathy vs. conventional primary care in children during the first 24 months of life-a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

To compare the difference between primary homoeopathic and conventional paediatric care in treating acute illnesses in children in their first 24 months of life. One hundred eight Indian singleton newborns delivered at 37 to 42 weeks gestation were randomised at birth (1:1) to receive either homoeopathic or conventional primary care for any acute illness over the study period. In the homoeopathic group, conventional medical treatment was added when medically indicated. Clinicians and parents were unblinded. Children in the homoeopathic group experienced significantly fewer sick days than those in the conventional group (RR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.24-0.58; p < 0.001), with correspondingly fewer sickness episodes (RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.32-0.87; p = .013), as well as fewer respiratory illnesses over the 24-month period. They were taller (F (1, 97) = 8.92, p = .004, partial eta squared = 0.84) but not heavier than their conventionally treated counterparts. They required fewer antibiotics, and their treatment cost was lower. CONCLUSION: Homoeopathy, using conventional medicine as a safety backdrop, was more effective than conventional treatment in preventing sick days, sickness episodes, and respiratory illnesses in the first 24 months of life. It necessitated fewer antibiotics and its overall cost was lower. This study supports homoeopathy, using conventional medicine as a safety backdrop, as a safe and cost-effective primary care modality during the first 2 years of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry-India (2018/09/015641). https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php What is Known: • Due to their holistic nature, many Complementary and Alternative Medical (CAM) modalities are not readily amenable to assessment by head-to-head RCT for a given Indication. • We propose a pragmatic, RCT comparing homoeopathic with conventional medicine as a system. WHAT IS NEW: • Homoeopathic was apparently superior to conventional primary care in preventing sick days, sickness episodes, and respiratory illness episodes and was significantly associated with growth in height but not weight and required fewer antibiotics in children from birth to 24 months of age.

Facilitating Healing in Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using Homeopathy in a Multi-Disciplinary Integrative Approach: Two Evidence-Based Case Reports.

BACKGROUND: A rising incidence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in India has escalated the rate of lower limb amputations in the country. The present study aims to evaluate the potential healing properties of homeopathic medicines as a part of the integrative management of DFUs through two evidence-based case reports. METHODS: Two patients with DFUs, identified as Wagner grade 2, having had diabetes for 12 years, were treated with individualized homeopathic medicine within a multi-disciplinary approach. Both cases were on oral hypoglycemic agents for managing blood sugar, continued their diabetic medication, and were advised to use regular wound dressings. The DFUs were assessed using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) score at baseline and every 4 weeks until complete wound healing. Neuropathic changes were evaluated by the 10g monofilament tactile test, and the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy-Causal Attribution Inventory (MONARCH) tool was used to assess the likelihood of there being a causal relationship between clinical improvement and the homeopathic intervention. RESULTS: The DFUs showed healing within 12 weeks, with a significant improvement in the PUSH score, though there was no change in tactile sensation as assessed by the monofilament test. The MONARCH tool yielded +9 in both cases, indicating the likelihood of a causal relationship between the clinical outcome and homeopathic intervention. The homeopathic medicines Arsenicum album and Lachesis respectively were found useful by each patient. CONCLUSION: Homeopathy appeared beneficial in facilitating the early healing of DFUs within a multi-disciplinary integrative approach.

Exploring the Role of Homeopathic Intervention in Post-COVID Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Case Series of 12 Patient Profiles.

BACKGROUND: In the last 2 years of the pandemic, a wide range of cases of post-COVID functional gastrointestinal disorders (PC-FGIDs) has been reported. AIM: This case series aimed to investigate the role of homeopathic intervention in the treatment of PC-FGIDs. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of individuals who had suffered from PC-FGIDs that were diagnosed based on clinical symptoms using the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) and treated exclusively with individualized homeopathic medicines. Cases that had undergone regular monthly assessment using the GSRS and had a Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) score for up to 3 months were considered. RESULTS: Thirty cases were screened and twelve were included according to the study criteria. The mean age of seven women and five men was 36 years. GSRS and PCFS scores showed marked improvement in each of 10 cases within the 3-month treatment period. CONCLUSION: Homeopathic intervention proved beneficial in 10 of 12 patients with PC-FGIDs. The findings may help researchers plan future controlled clinical studies in this field.

Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Management of Symptomatic Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy in Children: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is one of the most prevalent upper respiratory tract disorders of children, with associated troublesome symptoms such as sleep apnea and cognitive disturbances. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of individualized homeopathic medicines in the management of symptomatic ATH in children. METHODS: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted at five institutes under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India. Primary and secondary outcomes (symptom score for adenoids, other symptoms of ATH, Mallampati score, tonsillar size, Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire [SRBD-PSQ]) were assessed through standardized questionnaires at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Radiological investigations for assessing the adenoid/nasopharyngeal (A/N) ratio were carried out at baseline, 6 and 12 months. All analyses were carried out using an intention-to-treat approach. RESULTS: A total of 340 children were screened and 202 children suffering from ATH were enrolled and followed up monthly for 12 months. Each patient received individualized homeopathic treatment based on the totality of symptoms. Statistically significant reductions in adenoid symptom score, Mallampati score (including tonsillar size), SRBD-PSQ sleep quality assessment and A/N ratio were found over time up to 12 months (p < 0.001). Homeopathic medicines frequently indicated were Calcarea carbonicum, Phosphorus, Silicea, Sulphur, Calcarea phosphoricum, Pulsatilla, Lycopodium and Tuberculinum. No serious adverse events were recorded during the study period. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that homeopathic medicines may play a beneficial role in the management of symptomatic ATH in children. Well-designed comparative trials are warranted.

The Patient Population at Homeopathic Outpatient Clinics across India: A Clinical Data Collection Study.

BACKGROUND: Even though several initiatives have been undertaken in different locations worldwide to collect clinical data in homeopathy, it is important to further investigate these aspects in the context of health care in India. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to gather and analyze patients' clinical data and to derive insights into homeopathic treatment using an internet-based software program for data storage, retrieval and repertorization. METHODS: A multi-center observational study was conducted across 14 homeopathy outpatient clinics in India that are affiliated with the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH). Patient symptoms and demographic details were documented anonymously, and prescriptions were guided by repertorial suggestions from the Vithoulkas Compass software. During follow-up visits, treatment outcome was also recorded using an online assessment form. A retrospective analysis of data on patients' demographics, follow-up visits, morbidity (International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision), rubrics used, prescribed medicines and the level of improvement was achieved using Microsoft Excel-generated pivot tables. RESULTS: Throughout the study duration of one year a total of 2,811 patients attended the 14 outpatient clinics, of whom 2,468 were new patients with a total of 2,172 initial homeopathic prescription entries. Across the study, there were 3,491 prescriptions and 1,628 follow-up consultations for 868 follow-up patients, all of which data were thoroughly analyzed. The highest frequency of patients was in the 20-49 age group, and a higher proportion of the patients overall was female. Musculoskeletal, dermatological and respiratory complaints were the most frequently reported. The rubrics "Desire for sweets" and "Desire for spices" emerged as the most commonly used in the repertorizations. Further, Sulphur stood out as the most commonly prescribed medicine overall. With homeopathic treatment, some degree of clinical improvement was reported in 86% of the follow-up cases. CONCLUSION: Homeopathy is prescribed in CCRH outpatient clinics for a wide range of ailments in people across India, with at least some clinical improvement noted in a high proportion of those patients. The large-scale systematic data collection in these clinics has provided clear insights into the use and clinical value of homeopathy in India, with the potential to build a substantive nationwide data inventory over time.

Efficacy of Arsenicum album 30C in the Prevention of COVID-19 in Individuals Residing in Containment Areas: A Prospective, Multicenter, Cluster-Randomized, Parallel-Arm, Community-Based, Open-Label Study.

OBJECTIVE: During the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, non-pharmacologic interventions were the strategies for the prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India, had advised Arsenicum album 30C as a prophylactic to prevent COVID-19. This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective efficacy and safety of the Arsenicum album 30C. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, cluster-randomized, parallel-arm, community-based, open-label study involving apparently healthy individuals residing in containment areas of 7 cities in India. Clusters are defined as the population residing in the containment areas, who are under restriction for movement. Forty-two clusters were randomly assigned at 2:1 to the Arsenicum album 30C group (30 clusters) or to the control group (12 clusters, which received no specific therapy). The medicine was given twice daily for 7 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of COVID-19, as per the case definition notified by the National Centre for Disease Control, Government of India, during 3-week follow-up period. RESULTS: The analysis included 32,186 individuals residing in 42 clusters (containment areas). A total of 22,693 individuals from 30 clusters received Arsenicum album 30C, and 9,493 individuals from 12 clusters were observed in the control group. The overall protective effect of the Arsenicum album 30C was 80.22% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.16-86.44; 40 cases per 22,693 [6.04 per 10,000 person-weeks] in the Arsenicum album 30C group vs. 84 cases per 9,493 [29.78 per 10,000 person-weeks] in the control group). The protective effect of the Arsenicum album 30C against laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was 68.22% (95% [CI], 49.64-80; 32 cases per 22,693 [4.83 per 10,000 person-weeks] in the Arsenicum album 30C group vs. 42 cases per 9,493 [14.93 per 10,000 person-weeks] in the control group). Adverse effects observed in both groups were mild and resolved without medication and sequelae. CONCLUSION: Homeopathic medicine Arsenicum album 30C was associated with a decrease in the incidence and provided some protection against COVID-19 as compared to nontreatment. Further randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials may be conducted to validate the results of this study.In der Anfangszeit der COVID-19-Pandemie setzte man auf nicht-medikamentöse Massnahmen zur Prävention von Infektionen mit SARS-CoV-2 (Schweres-Akutes-Respiratorisches-Syndrom-Coronavirus 2). Das Ayush-Ministerium der indischen Regierung empfahl Arsenicum album 30C als Prophylaxe zur COVID-19-Prävention. Das Ziel dieser Studie war die Beurteilung der Schutzwirkung und Sicherheit von Arsenicum album 30C.An unserer prospektiven, multizentrischen, Cluster-randomisierten, unverblindeten Parallelgruppen-Bevölkerungs-Studie nahmen gesund erscheinende Bewohner von Sperrzonen in sieben indischen Städten teil. Die Cluster waren definiert als die Bewohnerpopulation je einer Sperrzone, für welche Mobilitätsbeschränkungen galten. 42 Cluster wurden per Randomisierung im Verhältnis 2:1 dem Arsenicum-album-30C-Arm (30 Cluster) oder dem Kontrollarm (12 Cluster, die keine spezifische Behandlung erhielten) zugeteilt. Das Medikament wurde sieben Tage lang zweimal täglich angewendet. Die primäre Zielgröße war die COVID-19-Inzidenz laut der vom National Centre for Disease Control der indischen Regierung bekannt gegebenen Falldefinition in einem Nachbeobachtungszeitraum von drei Wochen.Die Analyse umfasste 32.186 Personen in 42 Clustern (Sperrzonen). Insgesamt 22.693 Personen in 30 Clustern erhielten Arsenicum album 30C, und 9.493 Personen in 12 Clustern wurden als Kontrollarm beobachtet. Die Ergebnisse für Alter, Geschlecht und Komorbidität waren im Behandlungs- und Kontrollarm vergleichbar. Die Gesamt-Schutzwirkung von Arsenicum album 30C betrug 80,22 % (95-%-Konfidenzintervall [KI]: 71,16­86,44; 40 Fälle unter 22.693 [6,04 pro 10.000 Personen-Wochen] im Arsenicum-album-30C-Arm vs. 84 Fälle unter 9.493 [29,78 pro 10.000 Personen-Wochen] im Kontrollarm). Die Schutzwirkung von Arsenicum album 30C gegen laboranalytisch bestätigte COVID-19-Erkrankung betrug 68,22 % (95-%-KI: 49,64­80; 32 Fälle unter 22.693 [4,83 pro 10.000 Personen-Wochen] im Arsenicum-album-30C-Arm vs. 42 Fälle unter 9.493 [14,93 pro 10.000 Personen-Wochen] im Kontrollarm). Die beobachteten unerwünschten Wirkungen waren in beiden Gruppen von geringer Schwere und klangen ohne Medikation folgenlos ab.Das Homöopathikum Arsenicum album 30C war im Vergleich zur Nichtbehandlung mit einer Verringerung der Inzidenz assoziiert und bot gewissen Schutz vor COVID-19. Weitere randomisierte, doppelblinde, placebokontrollierte Studien könnten durchgeführt werden, um die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zu validieren.

Hypertriglyceridemia treated with Fucus vesiculosus - A case series.

Hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease (as established through various previously conducted studies) and it's rising incidence is creating a need for the immediate attention of it's management. Instead of focusing on the controversies involving the toxicity caused due to the long-term use of statin therapy in conventional mode of treatment, opting for a safer alternative system of treatment seems important. Five cases of diagnosed HTG, with triglyceride levels above 200 were treated with homoeopathic medicine - Fucus vesiculosus, in mother tincture form. The primary outcome measure was to evaluate the reduction in the blood triglyceride levels. All the five cases showed a reduction in triglyceride levels to normal range within 4 months of starting the treatment with the Fucus vesiculosus mother tincture. Also, it was observed that the borderline cholesterol levels and high LDL levels in 2 cases were found to reduce to normal. Treatment involving Fucus vesiculosus in cases diagnosed with HTG showed significant reduction in triglyceride levels along with other parameters of lipid profile. Further authentication of results with significant sample sizes may be taken up.

Optimization of homoeopathy in the management of post-traumatic stress disorder, the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective case series

Psychological fragility caused to human life has been the largest aftermath of the pandemic posing a raised public health concern globally. This psychological impact is identified as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which was the most commonly diagnosed psychological disorder during this pandemic. These cases, if left untreated and unidentified may take a devastating transformation into psychotic disorders and cause gross damage to the individual and the community by disrupting human relations. Keeping in view the beneficial role of Homoeopathy in dealing with psychological disorders based on its philosophy and previous studies, a clinical case series of 10 PTSD cases successfully treated with Homoeopathy during this pandemic are presented here. 10 cases of PTSD consulted during the first wave of pandemic diagnosed based on the clinical picture analogous to PTSD cluster symptomatology from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) and objectively through Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) were treated with Homoeopathic intervention. Homeopathic medicine was prescribed based on the totality of each case through repertorization and in consultation with the sourcebooks of Homoeopathic Materia Medica (HMM). The cases were followed monthly for clinical improvement and every three months using the CAPS-5 score. The outcome was assessed after six months clinically and objectively through the CAPS-5 score. At the end of one year, further to assess the casual attribution of clinical outcome to homoeopathic intervention, validated MONARCH (Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homoeopathy) tool was utilized. The 10 diagnosed PTSD cases showed marked improvement assessed after one year of Homoeopathic treatment. Significant improvement was found in the clinical picture affirmed through CAPS-5 score and MONARCH tool. Homoeopathic medicines showed a significantly beneficial role in the management of PTSD during the pandemic in the presented 10 cases. Further validation through well-designed clinical trials is warranted.