Abstract:
Objective: The primary objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of homoeopathic treatment with standard allopathic regimen
in acute ADL and secondary objective was to assess the reduction in frequency, duration and intensity of subsequent attacks, improvement
of the quality of life of patients. Methods: The study was designed as a comparative randomized trial conducted from October 2012 to
April 2014, on 112 patients at Regional Research Institute, Puri, Odisha. The ADL patients enrolled were randomized to receive either
homoeopathic treatment or standard allopathic treatment for a period of six months. The outcome parameters used were ADL score and WHO
QOL Bref. Results: 112 Patients were considered for primary outcome analysis as per the Intention to treat principle. (Homoeopathy= 55
and Allopathy= 57) and were analysed on 11th day of treatment. Both the treatments produced equal improvement in ADL scores. However,
during the six months study period, the frequency, duration and intensity of attacks were better in Homoeopathy group compared to allopathy
group. There was statistically significant improvement in Homoeopathy for Domain 4 of WHOQOL (P = 0.004) as compared to allopathy
group. Medicines like Apismellifica (n = 23), Rhus toxicodendron (n = 20), Pulsatilla (n = 8), Arsenic album (n = 1), Bryonia alba (n = 1),
Silicea (n = 1) and Hepar sulph (n = 1) were found most useful in the acute attacks. Conclusion: This study provides evidence to support the
fact that individualized homoeopathy treatment is equally effective for ADL as the standard allopathy treatment in the management of ADL.
