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Homeopathy 2016; 105(01): 66-70
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2015.09.003
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2015

A randomized controlled trial comparing Pentazocine and Chamomilla recutita for labor pain relief

Shamsa Zafar
1   Center of Excellence (Maternal & Child Health), Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
a   These authors contributed equally to this work.
,
Yawar Najam
2   Department of Paediatrics, Shifa International Hospital, H/8, Islamabad, Pakistan
a   These authors contributed equally to this work.
,
Zaeema Arif
1   Center of Excellence (Maternal & Child Health), Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
,
Assad Hafeez
3   Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
a   These authors contributed equally to this work.
› Author Affiliations
Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received10 February 2015
revised19 August 2015

accepted21 September 2015

Publication Date:
23 December 2017 (online)

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Background: Traditional birth attendants in Pakistan sometimes use a homeopathic remedy, Chamomilla for labor pain relief. Our study compares this homeopathic remedy for pain relief in labor with a commonly used parenteral analgesic in a hospital setting. No systematic study has been conducted previously to study the effect of chamomile, which may be affordable and available in community settings.

Methods: A double blind randomized controlled trial was carried out at Islamic International Medical College Trust. Ninety-nine normal pregnant women were randomly assigned into three groups. Each group received one of the three trial drugs; Chamomile, Pentazocine or placebo. The efficacy of labor analgesia was assessed by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity. Indicators of maternal and child health were recorded as were adverse effects of the drugs.

Results: Mean pain scores in the three groups were calculated and compared. The difference in mean VAS scores in Pentazocine and Chamomilla recutita group as compared with placebo was not statistically significant. No significant adverse effects were noticed in any group except slight headache and dizziness in three parturients in Pentazocine group.

Conclusion: Neither Pentazocine, or Chamomilla recutita offer substantial analgesia during labor.

Keywords

Chamomile - Pentazocine - Labor - Analgesia - RCT
 

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