Bindu Sharma

Homoeopathic treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: An open label randomised multicentric placebo-controlled clinical trial

Objectives: The objectives of the study are to evaluate the effectiveness of Homoeopathic Constitutional remedy (HC) and Homoeopathic Constitutional + Organ remedy (HCOM) in comparison to Placebo (PL) in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), ultrasonographic changes in prostate volume, post-void residual urine, uroflowmetry and in WHO Quality of Life (QOL)-BREF. Materials and Methods: A multicentric, three-armed, randomised clinical trial was conducted at five centres. Patients were enrolled following the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomised into three groups in 2:2:1 ratio and were followed up for 6 months. The statistical analysis was done with modified intention-to-treat principle (mITT). Results: Out of 461 patients screened, 254 patients were enrolled in the study and 241 patients were analysed as per mITT. The mean changes in IPSS and QOL due to urinary symptoms from baseline to end of study had shown a positive trend in all the three groups. However, in HC group, the changes were more prominent as compared to the other two groups. There was no difference between HC and HCOM groups and they were equally effective in terms of managing lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. With regard to secondary outcome, there was no difference between the groups. The psychological, social and environmental domains of WHOQOL-BREF have shown positive trend, but there was no statistically significant difference in intervention groups. Conclusion: In this study, statistical significance was found in the IPSS in all the three groups but only in HC and not in any of the objective parameters.

National convention on world homoeopathy day: Enhancing quality of research in homoeopathy

A national convention on World Homoeopathy Day was held to commemorate the 262nd birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann on 9th–10th April, 2017 at National Agricultural Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, India. The theme of the convention was ‘Enhancing Quality of Research in Homoeopathy’ inspired by the World Health Organization Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023 for achieving Universal Health Coverage. Organised by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, an autonomous research organisation of the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, the convention witnessed 11 oral presentations and focused group discussions held in parallel in the main and side hall, respectively. On this occasion, Awards of Excellence such as Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Teacher and Researcher Award, Young Scientist Award and Best Research Paper Award were also given.

Homoeopathic treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: an open randomized multicentric placebo controlled clinical trial

Shaolin Kung Fu is a comprehensive and orthodox Chinese martial art which has often been surrounded by many superstitions and misinterpretations. The number of possibilities for its actual use is huge. The authors want to point out some inaccuracies and misunderstandings that have been passed down about this martial art (eg in some of its terms or the content of its training), that may discredit its importance and value. The main objective is to explain Shaolin Kung Fu from the perspective of the basic structure of its training and its relationship to other martial arts, and also to point out and highlight some as-yet unpublished inside information about this martial art [1].Malaria is still considered the most threatening disease in Africa. Plasmodium; the malaria parasite, forms during its intra-erythrocytic stage a pigment called hemozoin, which acts as a protection shield against oxygen radical-mediated stress that leads to parasite’s death. Many drugs targeting hemozoin formation such as chloroquine and amodiaquine, but recently strains of Plasmodium have gained resistance to such drugs. Artemisia sieberi stem and leaf water infusion extract compared with A. sieberi bicarbonate aqueous infusion were tested using a semi-quantitative in-vitro method based on the inhibition of ferriprotoporphyrin IX (FP) biomineralization developed by Deharo et al. to reveal the differences in antimalarial activity. Reversed phase preparative liquid chromatography coupled to Photo Diode Array (HPLC-PDA) detector was also used to explain this dissimilarity in antimalarial activity. We found that A. sieberi bicarbonate aqueous infusion inhibits the formation of β-hematin better than standard water infusion. The bicarbonate addition increases the extraction of more compounds as the chromatographic HPLC results revealed. Other Artemisia plants (A. vulgaris and A. herba alba) were also tested to explore any inhibition effects.L and thrusting is one of the important manipulation methods in traditional acupuncture techniques, whereby several particular acupuncture technique can be derived to enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture. To our knowledge, however, few studies focused on this issue. The present system adopts a diode laser with wavelength of 808 nm and maximum power of 150 mW as the light source. By evaluating the images of light spot of the laser acupuncture head, we found that the movable distance of focused light spot is 5 cm (i.e. the range for lifting and thrusting is 5 cm). The focused light spot has a area of 6 × 10−3 mm2, which is approximate the tip area of common acupuncture needle. A laser acupuncture with lifting and thrusting function has better effectiveness than that without lifting and thrusting function. In this study, two kinds of laser acupuncture (with / without lifting and thrusting) were used to stimulate Shenmen points of healthy subjects to study the ability for changing the meridian values for laser acupuncture with lifting-thrusting function. A Ryodoraku was used to acquire the values of left and right of the Heart and Small Intestine meridian. A paired t-test was performed and found that laser acupuncture meridians with lifting and thrusting can significantly improve the impact on meridian (p <0.05). The laser acupuncture with lifting and thrusting functions can be further developed to achieve reinforcing and reducing functions by adjusting the intensity, mode, frequency, etc. This is an important progress of laser acupuncture.

A multicentric randomized clinical trial of homoeopathic medicines in fifty millesimal potencies vis-à -vis centesimal potencies on symptomatic uterine fibroids

Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the effects of homoeopathic medicines in fifty millesimal (LM) potencies vis-à -vis centesimal (CH) potencies on symptomatic uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: A multicentric randomized clinical trial was conducted at six centers under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. Patients were screened for symptomatic uterine fibroids with the preset inclusion and exclusion criteria. A consultant specialized in obstetrics and gynecology was engaged at each center to screen and follow-up the enrolled patients. Homoeopathic physicians engaged in the study were responsible for prescription and follow up for 12 months. The primary outcome was changes in symptoms of uterine fibroid on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0–10 and findings through ultrasonography (USG) between LM and CH potencies. The secondary outcome was to assess the changes in uterine fibroid symptom quality of life questionnaire (UFSQOL). Data analysis was done as per intention to treat (ITT) analysis. Results: Of 216 patients enrolled in the study (LM: 108 and CH: 108), 209 patients were analyzed under modified ITT (LM: 106, CH: 103). Both LM and CH potencies were equally effective in reducing the symptoms (percentage change) due to uterine fibroid on VAS scale after 1 year of treatment (P > 0.05). The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and subdomains of UFSQOL also showed equal effectiveness in both the groups (P = 0.05). However, no difference was observed in all the USG findings except for uterine volume (P = 0.03). There was overall difference before and after homoeopathic treatment irrespective of assigned groups, i.e., LM or CH (P < 0.05) in all the above parameters. The medicines frequently prescribed were: Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Lycopodium, Sepia, Phosphorus, Calcarea carbonica, and Natrum muriaticum. Conclusion: LM and CH potencies are equally effective in giving symptomatic relief to patients suffering from symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Homoeopathy for the management of Asthma - A review of Council's Clinical Research

Objective: To conduct a review of the Clinical Research work of the Council in the field of asthma. Methods: A comprehensive manual search of Council′s publications pertaining to asthma was conducted to identify publications on the research work undertaken by the Council including CCRH Quarterly Bulletins (1982 to 2005), Clinical Research studies series and Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy (IJRH). Relevant research was categorized by study type and appraised according to study design with their clinical outcomes. Results: Only 20 publications pertaining to Asthma were found and 10 were selected consisting of observational studies and drug oriented studies. Conclusion: The positive outcome in controlling acute episodes of asthma, reducing the frequency and intensity of subsequent episodes and weaning of bronchodilators and other allopathic drugs have been reported. As only observational studies have been conducted, further pragmatic trials including randomized control studies are desirable.

Report on National Conference on Ethics, Copyrights, and Plagiarism in Research and Publications

Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India partnered with Society for Social Development and Peoples Action (SDPA) to organize a National Conference on Ethics, Copyrights and Plagiarism in Research & Publications at AYUSH- Sabhagar, New Delhi on 8th August 2015. The conference was aimed at raising awareness about copyright infringement, enhancing knowledge about Intellectual Property Right issues/laws etc and guiding participants to prevent plagiarism. The conference was attended by 125 delegates including Medical and library professionals, researchers and students from ten states across the country. Four scientific sessions on Intellectual property rights- changing concerns, IPR issues in Research & Publications, IPR laws and judicial institution, Internet & Challenges to IPR were held; key speakers of the sessions being Prof. Alka Chawla, Dr. Somen Chakraborty and Dr. Deepankar Mukherjee respectively. The conference concluded with a set of recommendations collated from the papers presented, speeches delivered and individual feedback from the participants. Dr. Raj K. Manchanda in his closing remarks thanked the organising team of both SDPA and CCRH. He further assured to organize events on copyright subjects every year for benefit of all.

Efficacy of homoeopathic treatment for diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy: A multicentric randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: There are limitations in the management of Diabetic Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy (DDSP) in conventional system but in Homoeopathy the research studies have shown positive results. These studies were not robust enough to prove the efficacy of individualized homoeopathy, thus this protocol has been developed to assess the efficacy of these individualized homoeopathic drugs in this disease. Material and Methods: It shall be a double blind randomised placebo controlled clinical trial. On the basis of earlier observational studies and repertorial anamnesis of DDSP symptoms, 15 homoeopathic medicines have been identified. The validated scales are being used for evaluating the outcomes post-intervention. The primary outcome is change in Neuropathy Total Symptom Score-6 (NTSS-6) from baseline to 12 months. The secondary outcomes include the changes in HbA1c, peripheral nerve conduction test, World Health Organization Quality Of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and Diabetic Neuropathy Examination (DNE) Score at 12 months post intervention. Discussion: Results from this trial will help to construct a strategy for treating the patients with DDSP and for improving the quality of life of diabetic patients. Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry - India: CTRI/2013/07/003818.