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DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1702091
Effects of Individualized Homeopathic Intervention in Stage I Essential Hypertension: A Single-Blind Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Publication History
Publication Date:
05 February 2020 (online)
Background: Hypertension is the fourth-leading risk factor for death and disability and responsible for over 1.6 million deaths in India. Clinical case reports, observational studies and RCTs have shown homeopathy’s effectiveness in managing hypertension. The results of this study will add to the evidence of effectiveness of individualized homeopathic medicine in stage I hypertension.
Material and Methods: A randomised placebo-controlled single-blind pilot trial was undertaken at five research institutes, under the auspices of the CCRH, from October 2013 to March 2018. Out of 1946 patients screened, 217 patients suffering from Stage I hypertension and fitting the inclusion criteria were randomized to receive either Homeopathy + life-style modification (H+LSM) = 116 or Placebo + LSM = 101. Patients in the verum arm were administered individualized homeopathic medicine in Q potency. The primary outcome measure to evaluate the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were assessed every month for three months. Analysis was by intention to treat.
Results: Repeated measure ANOVA between the groups showed statistically significant differences (Wilk Lambda 0.85, F = 12.12, df = 213; p = 0.0001) in both SBP and DBP, favouring the H+LSM group. Post-hoc independent t-test showed a significant mean reduction of SBP [mean diff. 7.12; 95% CI, 4.72 to 9.53; p = 0.0001] and mean reduction in DBP [mean diff 5.76; 95% CI, 4.18 to 7.23; p = 0.0001] favouring the H+LSM group. Sulphur (n = 24), Natrum mur. (n = 21), Lycopodium (n = 16), Nux vom. (n = 12) and Phosphorus (n = 10) were the most frequently prescribed medicines.
Conclusion: Individualized homeopathy + LSM was found effective over placebo + LSM in patients suffering from Stage I hypertension. Further trials in a rigorous setting are warranted.
Keywords: Stage I hypertension, individualized homeopathy, Q potency
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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).