The efficacy of a homoeopathic complex (Carbo Vegetabilis D9, Lycopodium clavatum D9, Nux Vomica D9 and Robinia Pseudoacacia D9) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia

Abstract

The purpose of this placebo controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of a homoeopathic complex (Carbo Vegetabilis D9, Lycopodium clavatum D9, Nux Vomica D9 and Robinia Pseudoacacia D9) in the treatment of patients suffering from functional dyspepsia; in terms of the patient’s perception of the treatment. It was hypothesized that the patients treated with the complex would respond favorably in terms of the symptoms associated with dyspepsia.

In this experimental study the single variable design was used for its ‘before and after with control’. Thirty patients with functional dyspepsia were selected after been screened according to diagnostic criteria identified by the researcher. These patients were divided into two groups according to simple random sampling. Data was collected at the Homoeopathic Day Clinic at the Durban University of Technology.

Group one received the homoeopathic complex and group two received a placebo complex. Patients received treatment over a period of six weeks (three consultations).

The patients, during each consultation, in the presence of the researcher, completed the Patient Perception Questionnaire.

Results were statistically analysed using the FriedmansTest (inter group comparison) and The Wilcoxon signed Rank Test (intra group comparison). When the three questionnaires for each patient were compared it was found that neither the placebo group, nor the experimental group yielded significant improvement. Therefore the results of this clinical trial demonstrated that this homoeopathic complex is not effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia, when compared to placebo, in terms of patient perception.