Utility of individualised homoeopathic medicines in improving social interaction in childhood autism

Abstract

Background: Childhood autism is a pervasive developmental disorder. There has been an upsurge in its prevalence in past few decades. The social deficit is the most disabling symptom of autism. There is an immediate need to explore new interventions to effectively address childhood autism. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the usefulness of individualised homoeopathic medicine in improving social interaction in childhood autism. Materials and Methods: This one-year duration study was conducted in the outpatient department of the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam, Kerala. Thirty-five children fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of childhood autism (as per ICD 10-F84.0) were enrolled. Individualised homoeopathic medicines were prescribed in centesimal potencies following homoeopathic principles. Subjects were assessed by using Indian scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) and Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) at baseline and every month up to one year. The outcome was analysed using Friedman test. Results: Median scores of ISAA and VSMS at baseline were 132 and 39 which were improved to 35.5 and 56, respectively, at the end of the study. There was a marked reduction in the total ISAA score of 34 patients (statistically significant with p < 0.001). The change of median scores from baseline of social relationship and reciprocity domain of ISAA, Social quotient improved from 41.5 to 10 and 32.8 to 82.7, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Individualised homoeopathic medicines are useful in improving social interaction in the cases of childhood autism. A controlled clinical trial is suggested as the arena of future research.