A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF INDIVIDUALIZED HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT TO REDUCE ANGER & THEREBY REDUCING HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Objective: Despite improved detection and treatments, rates of hypertension (HT) are not decreasing. More and more people experience increased anger, anxiety, depression brought on by globalisation and stress leading to high-risk behaviours. There is the possibility that blood pressure (BP) may positively correlate with anger variables leading to essential hypertension (EHT). Homoeopathy works holistically, helping the patient to cope up with these changes. The study aims to demonstrate the efficacy of similimum on mild to moderate essential hypertension by modifying the underlying anger state, trait, and expressions, thus making the patient more capable of coping with the changing life situations than standard care treatment. Design and method: 172 patients (108 males and 64 females) between 18–65 years were enrolled after consent. They were allocated to the placebo and intervention groups by simple randomisation. Thorough homoeopathic case-taking was done, and the STAXI-2 scale was applied at the beginning and after a 6-months study period to measure the change in anger. Regular follow up was done every two weeks to evaluate the subjective and objective parameters. Results: After six months, in the control arm 16%, had to be prescribed standard AHT. Whereas in the intervention arm, the BP of all patients were maintained on similimum. The patients on standard AHT, in the control arm 98%, continued with the same dose of their medicines. However, standard AHT stopped in 33% of patients in the intervention group, and in 28%, the dose was reduced. Reduction in blood pressure and anger variables at the end of the study period was statistically significant (p = 0.001) in both arms. However, the difference was significantly more in all variables in the intervention arm than in the control arm. Conclusions: Most hypertension patients, especially with a family history of HT, suppress their anger & hostile impulses. Individualised homoeopathic treatment reduces anger & thereby have a reduction in elevated BP. Also, it relieves associated ailments.