Clinical Trial: The Efficacy of Viburnum Opulus 3X in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: The Efficacy of Viburnum Opulus 3X in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Brief Summary:

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is a common gynaecological disorder that is prevalent in more than 50% of women during their reproductive years. Primary dysmenorrhea describes cyclic uterine pain without any identifiable or underlying causes. Menstrual pain results as a consequence of endometrial ischemia, high levels of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators. Conventional treatment for primary dysmenorrhea consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives, which may have adverse effects. Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark) is a homoeopathic remedy well indicated for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. While there are studies using Viburnum opulus in its herbal form, there is no research assessing its efficacy in the homoeopathic form.

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of Viburnum opulus 3X in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea as measured with the modified Short Form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) respectively.

Detailed Summary:

This will be a double blind placebo controlled study, involving 30 female participants. The study will run for 3 months, over 3 menstrual cycles and shall be determined by the length of each participant menstrual cycle. The participants will be assessed over 3 menstrual events. Consultations will take place in a private setting at the Homoeopathic Health Centre at the Doornfontein campus, under the supervision of a registered homoeopath.

Participants will be recruited by advertisements placed at the University of Johannesburg Health Centre located on the Doornfontein campus, with the relevant permission obtained.

The researcher will explain the study to each participant as well as provide each participant with a consent form to sign, before they may take part in the study. Participants will be screened and a general physical examination will be conducted to asses each participant's general wellbeing. Each participant will be issued with a modified Short Form McGill questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale to complete. Participants will be instructed to complete the forms when they begin to experience the pain and cramping. No medication will be given at the initial consultation.

During the second follow-up consultation the participants will return their completed forms given to them at the initial consultation. Each participant will be issued with a 50 ml bottle of the homoeopathic remedy or placebo and new forms (SF-MPQ-2 and VAS) to complete. Participants will be advised to take 10 drops of the remedy three times a day starting when they experience pain and cramping. The forms will additionally need to be completed during this time. The participants will be advised to stop the homoeopathic remedy when their pain and cramping has ceased. This process will be repeated at
Sponsor: University of Johannesburg

Current Primary Outcome: Pain as measured by the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) [ Time Frame: 3 months ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

• Pain as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) [ Time Frame: 3 months ]
  The scale (VAS) is a validated and established tool used clinically to assess pain levels.
• Patient satisfaction as measured by the 5-Point Treatment Satisfaction Scale [ Time Frame: 1 day ]
  The 5-Point Treatment Satisfaction Scale is a reliable tool to assess patient satisfaction with the treatment provided. This will be conducted once at the final consultation.

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Johannesburg

Dates:
Date Received: June 5, 2015
Date Started: February 2015
Date Completion:
Last Updated: May 18, 2016
Last Verified: May 2016