An exploratory, open-label, randomized, controlled, pilot trial comparing the effects of individualized homoeopathic medicines in LM potencies with centesimal potencies in managing chronic low back pain in adults

Chronic low back pain is defined by the persistence of pain beyond 12 weeks of symptoms, contributing to anxiety, depression, disability, sleep disturbances, poor quality of life. Low back pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders affecting people of all ages and is a major cause of disease burden globally. After upper respiratory tract illness, low back pain ranks as the second most common reason for absenteeism from work. Over 5 million people are incapacitated by low back pain, and about 25 million people lose work as a result. Smoking, heredity and recurrent trauma are recognized risk factors for progressive lumbar degenerative changes. Persistent pain and emotional anguish are also associated with chronic musculoskeletal diseases, and they are frequently the main complaints of patients. Compared to people without LBP, those who have it are more prone to experience anxiety or depression. This association has been seen in a number of prevalence studies, such as recent research of the general population in Qatar, which found that those with LBP had greater rates of anxiety disorders (9.5% vs. 6.2%) and depression ( 13.7% vs. 8.5%) than people without LBP. High - quality guidelines state that exercise, manual therapy acupuncture, paracetamol, or NSAIDs may be used to manage patients with chronic low back pain. Statistical pooling of 4 RCTs demonstrated that homoeopathic medications in centesimal potencies considerably reduced chronic low back pain, significantly better than placebo. In case of LM potency, no such trials have been conducted. So, centesimal potency is regarded as the control group in this experiment due to the success of prior investigations. An open-label, randomized (1:1), centesimal controlled trial will be conducted on 102 adults who are suffering from chronic low back pain at the outpatient’s department of D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. This study will explore the feasibility of a definitive future trial and assessment will be done by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale Short Form (DASS -21) -both are secondary outcomes; at baseline, every month, up to 3 months. Comparative analysis will be carried out to detect group differences.