The spectrum of homeopathic research in increasing, but does it reflect in clinical trial registration? To explore this, a random search was made in clinical trial registry websites of India, USA and Europe for year 2013 (Jan – Dec). Since it is was a pilot work, country were selected randomly. The snapshot of clinical trials in these countries is presented here. The search was made from the following websites:

• Clinical Trial Registry of India (www.ctri.nic.in)
• Clinical Trial Registry of USA (http://clinicaltrials.gov)
• German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) (https://drks-neu.uniklinik-freiburg.de/drks_web/)
• EU Clinical Trials Register (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/index.html)
• International Clinical Trial Registry Platform, WHO (http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/AdvSearch.aspx)

India

In India, the result yielded a total of 10 clinical trials in year 2013, out of which 06 trials have not been started yet. Three trials were completed and 01 was suspended during year 2013. All the clinical trials registered during this period were from Govt. agencies and medical colleges. Individualized homoeopathic approach was the preferred approach for trials. The details of the trials are:

1. CTRI/2013/11/004144: Homoeopathic intervention in benign breast lumps; Type: Interventional; Status: Not Yet Recruiting; Intervention: Individualised homoeopathic medicine; Multicentric: Central Research Institute (H), Noida and others

2. CTRI/2013/11/004139: Homoeopathic intervention in diabetic foot ulcer; Type: Interventional; Status: Not Yet Recruiting; Intervention: Individualized homoeopathic medicine with ulcer dressing using Calendula Q; Drug Standardization Unit, Ext. Unit, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

3. CTRI/2013/09/003983; Homoeopathic intervention in polycystic ovarian syndrome; Type: Interventional; Status: Not Yet Recruiting; Intervention: Individualised homoeopathic medicine; Central Research Institute (H), Noida and Drug Standardization Unit, Ext. Unit, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

4. CTRI/2013/08/003926: Homeopathy in osteoarthritis knee; Type: Interventional; Status: Completed; Intervention: Individualized homoeopathic medicines in centesimal potencies; Out patient clinic of Clinical Research Unit for Homoeopathy, Siliguri.

5. CTRI/2013/08/003899: Homeopathy in headache; Type: Interventional; Status: Not Yet Recruiting; Intervention: Individualized homeopathic medicines; Out patient clinic of Clinical Research Unit for Homoeopathy, Siliguri

6. CTRI/2013/08/003879: Homoeopathy in vitiligo; Type: Interventional; Status: Completed; Intervention: Individualized homoeopathic medicines in centesimal potencies.

7. CTRI/2013/07/003818: Homoeopathy in Diabetic Neuropathy; Type: Interventional; Status: Not Yet Recruiting; Intervention: Homoeopathic Constitutional medicines- Arsenic album, Calcarea carbonica, Carbo vegetabilis, Conium maculatum, Kali carbonicum, Lycopodium clavatum, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla nigricans, Plumbum metallicum, Mercurius solubilis, Sulphur, Phosphoric acid, Natrum muriaticum, Nitric acid and Zincum metallicum; Clinical Research Unit (H), West Bengal and others.

8. CTRI/2013/06/003728: Homoeopathy in Osteoarthritis; Status: Completed; Intervention: Individualized homeopathic medicines in appropriate doses; Dept of Pathology and Microbiology Medicine, West Bengal.

9. CTRI/2013/03/003509: Homeopathy in Eczema; Type: Interventional; Status: Suspended; Intervention: Individualized homeopathic drugs in 50 millesimal potencies; Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital OPD Medicine III Skin Friday, West Bengal.

10. CTRI/2013/03/003506: Homeopathy in Respiratory Distress; Type: Interventional; Status: Not Yet Recruiting; Intervention: Individualized homeopathic medicines in 50 millesimal potencies as appropriate to the case, to be taken twice daily, i.e. twelve hourly in empty stomach; M B Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital Dept of Pathology OPD of Medicine Room 12 every Monday, West Bengal.

USA

The search for registered homeopathic clinical trial in USA yielded 05 results. Out of 05, 04 trials are in process of recruitment; 04 intervention and 01 observational study. Out of o4 intervention studies, 02 trials aim at seeing the efficacy of specific homeopathic products, whereas 01 aims at seeing the effect of single drug and other homeopathic medicines as a whole. Two of the trials are registered by universities, 01 by charitable society, 01 by hospital and o1 by homeopathic medical college. The quick details of the trials are:

1. NCT01983592: An N-of-1 Study of Homeopathic Treatment of Fatigue in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy; Type: Interventional; Status: Recruiting; Intervention: Homeopathic medicine; Agency: The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine; http://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT01983592

2. NCT01951859: Effects of a Homeopathic Anti-inflammatory Topical Cream on Ulcers and Neuropathy in the Diabetic Foot; Type: Interventional; Status: Recruiting; Intervention: Topical Cream; Agency: Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY; Url: http://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT01951859

3. NCT01905735: A Safety and Efficacy of Homeopathic Medicine Rhus Toxicodendron 30 in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis; Type: Interventional; Status: Recruiting; Intervention: Rhus toxicodendron 30; Agency: Healthcare Homoeo Charitable Society; Url: http://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT01905735

4. NCT01921777: Effects of Traumeel®S Tablets on Recovery and Inflammatory Immune Response After Repeated Bouts of Exercise; Type:  Interventional; Status: Recruiting; Intervention: Traumeel; Agency: University of Giessen|Prof. Dr. med. Frank Christoph Mooren|Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH; Url: http://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT01921777

5. NCT01854580: Evaluation of an Integrated Care Project; Type:  Observational; Status: Enrolling by invitation; Agency: Charite University, Berlin, Germany; Url: http://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT01854580

Europe

Surprisingly, I could not find any trial registered, completed or suspended during 2013 at EU clinical trial registry site. What’s the scene behind the curtains, no one actually knows!

Time and again, the need of undertaking quality research in Homeopathy has been put forth. The time has come when more number of clinical trials are needed to be undertaken to accept or reject utility of homeopathic treatment in a particular condition. Clinical research must also be promoted by homeopathic associations/authorities and universities.

Clinical trial registry in homeopathy needs to be promoted both at institutional as well as individual level. Such activities promote exchange of knowledge at global level, and also add a level of check by clinical registry regarding documentation of clinical trial information.

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