Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Post-COVID-19 Fatigue in Adults: Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is leading to unknown and unusual health conditions that are challenging to manage. Post-COVID-19 fatigue is one of those challenges, becoming increasingly common as the pandemic evolves, as it impairs the quality of life of an individual. This trial attempts to identify the preliminary evidence of the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) against placebos in the treatment of post-COVID-19 fatigue in adults. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A 3-month, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm trial was conducted at the outpatient department of The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, India. Sixty participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either IHMs (<i>n</i> = 30) or identical-looking placebos (<i>n</i> = 30). The primary and secondary outcome measures were the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and Outcome in Relation to Impact on Daily Living (ORIDL), respectively, measured every month, for up to 3 months. Comparative analysis was carried out on the intention-to-treat sample to detect group differences. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Group differences in both the primary (FAS total: <i>F</i>_{1, 58} = 14.356, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and secondary outcomes (ORIDL: <i>F</i>_{1, 58} = 210.986, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) after 3 months favored IHMs against placebos. Lycopodium clavatum (11.7%), sulfur (11.7%), Arsenicum album (10%), and Thuja occidentalis (10%) were the most frequently indicated medicines. No harm, unintended effects, homeopathic aggravations, or any serious adverse events were reported from either of the groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> IHMs produced significantly better effects than placebos in the treatment of post-COVID-19 fatigue in adults. Definitive robust trials may be undertaken to confirm the findings.