The effect of Viburnum opulus 3X on females with primary dysmenorrhoea

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)Abstract: Dysmenorrhoea is a common gynaecological disorder that is prevalent in more than 50% of women during their reproductive years. Menstrual pain results as a consequence of endometrial ischaemia, together with high levels of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators (Davis, 2010). In the past menstrual pain was attributed to the emotional and psychological well-being of female’s suffering from dysmenorrhoea (Claire, 2011). Primary dysmenorrhoea has a severe impact on the quality of life of its sufferers, the high prevalence rate among young females makes primary dysmenorrhoea an important health concern (Paravaneh et al., 2011). Viburnum opulus commonly known as cramp bark is a small tree that belongs to the Adoxaceace family and is classified as an antispasmodic, astringent and an antioxidant, which is indicated and used for menstrual cramps, uterine spasms and heavy bleeding (Bone & Mills, 2008). However there is a lack of research on Viburnum opulus as a homoeopathic remedy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Viburnum opulus 3X on females with primary dysmenorrhoea. This was a randomised double blind placebo controlled study, which involved 30 participants reporting moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhoea. The participants were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. The evaluation of pain was measured with the modified short form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) (Appendix E). Participants were asked to complete their questionnaires and rate their pain intensity for a period of four months. All forms were collected at four week intervals during follow up consultations and analysed. The data collected from the visual analogue scale (VAS), short form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) (Appendix E) and the treatment satisfaction scale (Appendix F) was statistically analysed using frequencies and descriptive statistics to analyse the demographic data. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to measure normality. Non-parametric tests used in the study were Mann-Whitney to test for differences between the two groups (inter-group analysis). The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and the Friedmann test were used to test for differences within the groups over time (intra-group analysis) (Pallant, 2004). The Friedman test results for both the (VAS) and (SF-MPQ-2) showed a statistical significant difference within both groups, menstrual pain intensity decreased in both groups over the four months of the study, three months after commencing treatment all parameters were found to be improved by the use of Viburnum opulus 3X when compared to placebo. The results of the..