title: Effect of Homeopathy on Pain Intensity and Quality Of Life of Students With Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Observational studies indicate a positive association between homeopathy and pain relief and quality of life improvement in women with dysmenorrhea. However, there are no interventional studies in this area.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate an association between homeopathy and pain relief and quality of life improvement in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial with 2 parallel arms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four students with primary dysmenorrhea residing at the dormitories of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, who had moderate or severe menstrual pain, were randomized to receive either homeopathic remedy or placebo. The homeopath and participants were blinded to treatment assignment. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and quality of life assessed using a 10-cm visual analog scale and short-form 36 (SF-36), respectively, and the secondary outcome was number of analgesic pills used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each group comprised 27 students; eventually, 26 in the homeopathic and 21 in the placebo group were followed up. There was no significant difference between the groups for either pain intensity (adjusted difference: -0.44; 95% CI: -1.43 to 0.54) or any other outcomes. Compared with the baseline scores, statistically significant improvements were observed in pain intensity (P = 0.021) and physical health (P = 0.020) scores only in the homeopathic group; and in the mental health score in both groups (P = 0.014 in the homeopathy group and P = 0.010 in the placebo group).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study could not show any significant effect of homeopathy on primary dysmenorrhea in comparison with placebo. Considering the possible effect of the homeopath and the homeopathic remedies prescribed on the results of such interventions, further studies are needed to help us arrive at a conclusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Sakineh Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alizadeh Charandabi
authors.affiliation: Basic Sciences Department, Paramedical Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Biglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Khatereh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yousefi Rad
keywords: Complementary Therapies; Dysmenorrhea; Homeopathy; Menstruation Disturbances; Pain; Quality of Life