Abstract:
Background: In the past decade the upsurge of influenza throughout the globe
was significant and in recent years this has resurfaced showing failures of all the
preventive and therapeutic measures against it. Thus, this study was undertaken to
evaluate the effect of homoeopathic medicines in the treatment of Influenza like illness
(primary objective) and to compare the complication rate among patients receiving
homoeopathic medication as compared to the patients receiving placebo and also
to compare the efficacy of LM potency vis-à-vis Centesimal potency (secondary
objective). Material and Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized,
triple arm placebo controlled trial conducted at nine Institutes and Units of Central
Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) from June 2009 to December 2010.
The patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomized to LM, Centesimal and
Placebo groups. Homoeopathic interventions were given as per the principles of
homoeopathy. Symptoms of Influenza like illness (ILI) were assessed as per validated
scales. Data analysis was done using statistical package of SPSS 20.0 version. Each
symptom was compared for 10 days among the allocated groups by using Kruskal
wallis test and bonferroni correction for the multiple comparisons. Results: Out of 739
screened cases, 447 cases were eligible for enrolment comprising of LM (n=152),
(n=147) and placebo (n=148) cases. There was a significant difference in temperature
from 2nd day onwards in LM and Centesimal groups. The significant improvement was
observed in headache and myalgia on 1st day in both the treatment groups. Likewise,
significant improvement was noted in malaise on 2nd day in both the groups; sore throat
on 1st day in LM and 2nd day in Centesimal; fatigue on 2nd day in LM and on 3rd day in Centesimal group; nasal complaints on 2nd day in LM and 1st day in Centesimal group;
chill on 3rd day in LM group and 1st day in Centesimal group and in sweat on 1st day
in the treatment groups. Cough improved significantly from 3rd day in both the groups.
Conclusion: The study revealed the significant effect of individualized homoeopathic
treatment in the patients suffering from ILI with no significant difference between LM
and Centesimal groups. The complication/sequel rate was also significantly less in the
intervention groups.
