A randomized trial of Ruta graveolens 200cH and individualized homeopathic medicines in tennis elbow

This open-label, randomized exploratory trial compared the effectiveness of Ruta graveolens (RG) 200cH with individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) in 60 adults with tennis elbow over four months. Participants were assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months. Both groups showed statistically significant reductions in pain and functional disability from baseline (p < 0.001), with no significant between-group differences at any time point. Non-inferiority of RG 200cH was demonstrated at two months for selected PRTEE domains but was not consistently maintained at four months. Linear mixed-effects and Bayesian analyses supported clinical equivalence between the two approaches, and sensitivity, subgroup, and moderator analyses confirmed the robustness and generalizability of the findings. No adverse events were reported. Overall, RG 200cH produced comparable clinical outcomes to individualized prescribing in the management of tennis elbow, warranting further large-scale controlled trials.

本项开放标签随机探索性试验针对60名肱骨外上髁炎（俗称网球肘）成人受试者，比较了200cH浓度芸香（Ruta graveolens, RG）与个体化顺势疗法药物（individualized homeopathic medicines, IHMs）的疗效，试验周期为4个月。受试者分别于基线、2个月及4个月时，采用患者自评网球肘评估量表（Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation, PRTEE）与数字评定量表（Numerical Rating Scale, NRS）进行评估。两组均较基线出现具有统计学意义的疼痛与功能障碍缓解（p < 0.001），且任意时间点的组间差异均无统计学意义。RG 200cH在2个月时于部分PRTEE维度中显示出非劣效性，但该效应在4个月时未得到持续维持。线性混合效应模型与贝叶斯分析结果均支持两种干预方式的临床等效性，敏感性分析、亚组分析与调节效应分析进一步证实了本研究结果的稳健性与外推性。本研究未报告任何不良事件。综上，在肱骨外上髁炎的治疗中，RG 200cH的临床结局与个体化顺势疗法药物相当，因此有必要开展进一步的大规模对照试验。