The efficacy of homoeopathic simillimum as compared to a homoeopathic complex in the management of post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

This double-blind randomised controlled study aimed to determine the efficacy of a homoeopathic simillimum treatment as compared to a homoeopathic complex in the management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD belongs to a group of mental disorders that is caused by an intense stress or the inability to overcome stress. The DSM-5 (2013) categorises PTSD as a mental disorder that is debilitating to the person and occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic, tragic or terrifying incident that results in the person having recurrent frightening thoughts and memories of the past incident and causes emotional numbness. This study aimed to manage and reduce PTSD symptoms through careful treatment of the mental, emotional and physical being of the individual.

Methodology

A sample size of 33 consenting participants between the ages of 18-65 years who met the inclusion criteria according to the DSM-5 (2013) completed the study. The duration of the study was eight weeks per participant. Measurements were taken during four consultations over the eight weeks period of the intervention. The participants were divided into two groups using a randomisation list arranged by the Durban University of Technology Homoeopathic Clinic technician, namely, the simillimum group and complex group. Because of the nature of the research, the researcher was not aware of who was in which group, this prevented biasness when treating the participants.

At each consultation a Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) (Weathers et al.2013), Post-Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) (McCarthy 2008) and the Screen for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (SPTSS) (Carlson 2012) was filled out to measure the progress in each consultation.

Results

The results of the study showed no significant difference between the simillimum group and complex group, leading to the conclusion that homoeopathic simillimum treatment is no more effective than homoeopathic complex treatment in the management of PTSD. Each treatment group showed a reduction in scores in all the scales, and improvement in well-being, lifestyle and attitude towards life even though this improvement was not statistically significant. It was evident that the p-values were greater than 0.05. All three instruments showed of improvement of symptoms in the participants. However, there was no statistical significance between the simillimum and complex group