Abstract
Abstract:Context: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of chronic low back pain (CLBP) and can
be managed with the use of drug therapy and physiotherapy. Homeopathic remedies may
assist in the management of OA; however, research that supports their effectiveness is
limited.
Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a homeopathic complex in
combination with physiotherapy in the treatment of CLBP due to OA.
Design: The study was a six-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot.
Setting: The study took place in a private physiotherapy practice in Gauteng, South Africa.
Participants: The participants were 30 males and females, aged 45-75 years, who were
receiving physiotherapy treatment for OA of the lumbar spine from a therapist in private
practice.
Interventions: The intervention and control groups both received standard physiotherapy
treatment—massage, thermal therapy, and joint mobilization—every 2 weeks. In addition, the
treatment group received a homeopathic complex—6cH each of Arnica montana, Bryonia
alba, Causticum, Kalmia latifolia, Rhus toxicodendron, and Calcarea fluorica. The control
group a received a placebo.
Outcome measures: The primary measure was a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain.
Secondary outcome measures included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), an evaluation of
each patient’s range of motion (ROM) of the lumbar spine, and a determination of each
patient’s need for pain medication.