Management of behavioural problems in intellectual disability using Lectures on homoeopathic Materia Medica by Dr. JT Kent

Abstract

Background: Intellectual Disability (ID) is often associated with varied behavioural problems that have a significant emotional and social impact on both the child and parents.Objective: To identify the indications of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of behavioural problems of children with ID, using ‘Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica by Dr. J.T. Kent’, and to assess the changes on the standardized scales. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted on children aged 3 to 18 years with Intellectual disability. A total of 33 cases were assessed using BASIC MR PART B and WHODAS CY scales. The data was recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: Clinical indications of 17 remedies were obtained from Kent’s Materia Medica, according to the totality of symptoms and the key indications obtained and used as prescriptions. Stramonium was prescribed in maximum cases (n=5). Changes in behaviour and disability were moderate in most cases and statistically significant for majority of cases.Conclusion: Medicines selected from ‘Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica by Dr. J.T. Kent’ proved to be effective in managing behavioural problems of children with ID along with the changes on overall disability levels and gave some very reliable indications for remedy prescription. Significant changes were observed in all domains of both scales. Controlled trials are warranted.