Effects of individualised homoeopathic intervention in Stage I essential hypertension: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Authors

Roja Varanasi, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
Raju Kolli, Homoeopathic Research Institute for Disabilities, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Yogendra Rai, Dr.D.P Rastogi Central Research Institute (H), Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Dubashi Ramesh, Drug Standardization Unit (Homoeopathy), Hyderabad, Telangana
R Kiranmayee, Drug Standardization Unit (Homoeopathy), Hyderabad, Telangana
G Chandra Reddy, Clinic Research Unit (Homoeopathy), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
H Baig, Drug Standardization Unit (Homoeopathy), Hyderabad, Telangana
Tejaswini Patole, Regional Research Institute (Homoeopathy), Imphal, Manipur
Priyanka Srivastava, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi

Keywords

Homoeopathy, lifestyle modification, Stage I hypertension

Article Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a leading risk factor for death and disability and responsible for over 1.6 million deaths in India. Clinical case reports, observational studies and randomised controlled trials show the effects of homoeopathic medicine in HTN. Objectives: The results of this study will add to the evidence of effectiveness of individualised homoeopathic medicine in Stage I HTN. Methods: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken from October 2013 to March 2018. The primary outcome measure was to evaluate the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) every month for 3 months. Of 2127 patients screened, 217 patients who fitted the inclusion criteria were randomised to receive either homoeopathic Q potencies (or LM potencies) plus lifestyle modification (LSM) =116 or placebo + LSM = 101. LSM included physical activity and diet as part of the treatment regimen. Analysis was by intention to treat. Results: Repeated-measure ANOVA between the groups showed statistically significant difference (Wilk lambda 0.85, F = 12.12, df = 213,P = 0.0001), in both SBP and DBP favouring Individualised Homoeopathy (IH) along with LSM. Post hoc independent t-test showed a significant mean reduction in SBP (mean difference 7.12 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.72–9.53,P = 0.0001) and DBP (mean difference 5.76 mm Hg, 95% CI: 4.18–7.23,P = 0.0001) favouring Homoeopathy plus LSM group. Sulphur (n = 24), Natrum muriaticum (n = 21), Lycopodium (n = 16), Nux vomica (n = 12) and Phosphorus (n = 10) were the most useful medicines. Conclusion: IH in LM potency along with LSM was found effective over placebo along with LSM in the patients suffering from Stage I HTN. Further trials in rigorous setting are warranted.

Digital Object Identifier

10.4103/ijrh.ijrh_93_19

Publisher

Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd.

How to cite this article

Varanasi R, Kolli R, Rai Y, et al. Effects of individualised homoeopathic intervention in Stage I essential hypertension: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2020;14:3-14. doi: 10.4103/ijrh.ijrh_93_19