Background: Cervical radiculopathy (CR) results from compression of the cervical nerve roots of the spinal column, resulting in pain, sensory and motor deficits, and diminished reflexes. Objective: To differentiate individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) from identical-looking placebos in the pain management of CR. Methods: This 2-month, double-blind, randomized (2:1; verum: 78, control: 39), placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 117 adults with CR. Concomitant care advice (hot fomentations, spinal extensor exercises, and ergonomic adjustments) was administered mutually. The primary outcome was the 0–10 pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); the secondary outcomes were the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI), all measured monthly, up to 2 months. Group differences were examined on the intention-to-treat sample. Results: Group differences achieved no significance or near significance; pain NRS ( F 1,115 = 1.164, P = 0.086), SF-MPQ total score ( F 1,115 = 0.467, P = 0.046), and NDI total score ( F 1,115 = 1.331, P = 0.211). Natrium muriaticum ( n = 17) was the most frequently prescribed medicine. While statistically pooling the results of 2 randomized controlled trials of IHMs in neck pain involving 257 participants using a random effect model using mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), compared to the control group, IHMs demonstrated significant improvement: MD −0.57, 95% CI −1.12 to −0.03, P = 0.04. No heterogeneity ( I 2 = 0%), indicated consistency between studies in the magnitude of treatment effects. Conclusion: The trial could not generate any conclusive evidence that the therapy was effective beyond placebos. Trial registration: CTRI/2023/03/050202; UTN: U1111-1288-7475.
Biswas et al. (Tue,) studied this question.