Importance of Temperament in Individualized Homeopathic Prescription: Evaluation by an Open, Randomized, Pilot Trial

The importance of temperament in the selection of an individualized homeopathic medicine has not been evaluated systematically. The current study explored this under-researched area.

A prospective, open, randomized (1:1), two parallel arms, pilot trial was performed on patients suffering from various chronic diseases. Each patient's temperament was assessed using a newly developed "temperament diagnostic questionnaire". Outcome measures were health status using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) of patient's self-rated health, measured at baseline and at 3 months. Homeopathic medicines were prescribed on the basis of individualization, randomly with or without accounting for individual temperament, and patients grouped accordingly (temperament(+) and temperament(-)). Baseline comparability of the two groups was checked, followed by analysis of group differences. A p-value < 0.01 was considered as statistically significant.

Fifty protocol-compliant patients were analyzed. The two groups were comparable at baseline. Over 3 months of intervention, there was significant improvement (p < 0.01) in each group. Though improvement in the EQ-5D-5L score was greater in the temperament(+) group (mean difference, 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2 to 4.5), the change did not achieve the threshold for statistical significance (p = 0.029). Improvement in VAS score was significantly greater in the temperament(+) group than in temperament(-) patients (mean difference, 15.2; 95% CI, 4.9 to 25.4; p = 0.004).

Considering temperament as a key element of individualized prescription may enhance health improvement from homeopathic treatment in chronic diseases. Independently replicated rigorous trials with validated scales are warranted.

CTRI/2018/03/012433.