MedPath

Homeopathy for Post-operative (C. Section) Recovery

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Cesarean Section
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Drug: Bellis perennis and Staphysagria (C6)
Drug: Bellis perennis and Staphysagria (C30)
Registration Number
NCT00725569
Lead Sponsor
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
Brief Summary

The planned study will be conducted in a prospective, randomized, double blind placebo controlled manner. Two "anti-traumatic" Homeopathic remedies (Arnica montana and Staphysagria) will be used. The selection of these remedies was based on a previous trial that showed a statistical difference in Hemoglobin levels favoring pregnant women treated with these drugs following delivery.

The proposed study will focus on the post-operative recovery of women undergoing Cesarean section. According to Homeopathic principles, these two remedies are believed to improve the "vital force", and will therefore improve convalescence following surgery in the study group. The study will include 90 women between the ages of 18 and 50 years who are scheduled for elective Cesarean Section. Exclusion criteria are: obesity (above 100kg), malignancy, psychiatric illness, diabetes and multipara pregnancies. Participants will be inducted following a detailed explanation by an MD and signing of an informed consent form, and then subdivided randomly into three groups numbering 30 in each: Two groups will be treated with homeopathic drugs of varied doses, and the third will get a placebo remedy which is indistinguishable from the other drugs. Outcome measures will include: 1. Blood loss - as estimated by a reduction in serum Hemoglobin levels. 2. Pain -to be evaluated by a numerical rating score (NRS) 3. Analgesic use 4. Length of post-operative stay and complications. 5. Quality of life outcomes - to be assessed using the MOS SF-36 questionnaire at one and four weeks following surgery. Although not expected, adverse events will be monitored.

If, as we anticipate, the homeopathic treatment proves to be both safe and effective in shortening the duration of post-operative healing, this will have significant implications, with respect to both healthcare costs and patient suffering. It will also open the door for further research in the field of trauma medicine, as well as other stress-related illness.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • women hospitalized for elective C. Section, from the 1st to 3rd pregnancies.
  • Age < 50 years
  • Body weight < 100 kg
  • Signing of informed consent form
Exclusion Criteria
  1. suspected/proven malignancy
  2. underlying Axis-1 psychiatric illness
  3. age < 18 years
  4. diabetes mellitus (NIDDM/IDDM)
  5. unable to comply with study proceedings

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
CPlaceboPlacebo Remedy
ABellis perennis and Staphysagria (C6)Bellis perennis and Staphysagria (C6)
BBellis perennis and Staphysagria (C30)Bellis perennis and Staphysagria (C30)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
pain, to be evaluated using a numerical rating score (NRS) on a 100mm scale (0= no pain whatsoever, 100 = unbearable pain).4 weeks
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Analgesic Use4 weeks
Duration of Hospital Stay4 weeks
Time from Surgery to First Bowel Movement4 days
Blood Loss4 days
Post-operative Complications the following complications will be noted: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, fever, urinary tract infection, thrombophlebitis, wound infection, wound hematoma, ileus, vaginal bleeding.4 weeks
Quality of Life Assessment4 weeks
Adverse Effects of Treatment4 days

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Shaare Zedek Medical Center

🇮🇱

Jerusalem, Israel

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath