Individualized homeopathic medicines for managing pain of lumbosacral radiculopathy in adults: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) in managing pain associated with lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR). Eighty-one patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either IHMs or identical placebos for three months, along with standardized concomitant care. The primary outcome was the Pain Detect Questionnaire (PDQ), while secondary outcomes included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated a statistically significant between-group difference in PDQ scores favoring IHMs. Among secondary outcomes, only the SF-MPQ visual analogue scale showed significant improvement, whereas overall disability and other pain dimensions did not differ significantly between groups. Rhus toxicodendron was the most frequently prescribed remedy. No serious adverse events were reported. The findings suggest that individualized homeopathic medicines may be more effective than placebo in reducing neuropathic pain associated with lumbosacral radiculopathy, though larger and longer-term studies are warranted to confirm these results

本项双盲随机安慰剂对照试验，评估了个体化顺势疗法药物（individualized homeopathic medicines，IHMs）对腰骶神经根病（lumbosacral radiculopathy，LSR）相关性疼痛的管理效果。81名受试者按2:1的比例随机分组，分别接受为期3个月的个体化顺势疗法药物或外观一致的安慰剂治疗，并辅以标准化伴随治疗。主要结局指标为疼痛检测问卷（Pain Detect Questionnaire，PDQ），次要结局指标包括奥斯韦斯特里残疾指数（Oswestry Disability Index，ODI）与简版麦吉尔疼痛问卷（Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire，SF-MPQ）。意向性治疗分析显示，两组PDQ评分存在统计学显著性差异，且个体化顺势疗法药物组更具优势。在次要结局指标中，仅简版麦吉尔疼痛问卷视觉模拟评分显示出显著改善，而总体残疾程度与其他疼痛维度在两组间无明显差异。最常开具的顺势疗法制剂为毒葛（Rhus toxicodendron）。本研究未报告严重不良事件。研究结果表明，个体化顺势疗法药物在缓解腰骶神经根病相关性神经性疼痛方面可能优于安慰剂，但仍需开展更大样本量、更长周期的研究以验证本次结论。