Abstract

CURCUMA LONGA IN CASES OF ARTHRALGIA- A RANDOMISED SINGLE BLIND CONTROLLED TRIAL

Dr. Tarkeshwar Jain* and Dr. Sakshi Mehrotra

Abstract

Arthralgia, i.e. pain in joints decreases the quality of life to a great extent. It significantly affect the psychosocial status of affected people as well as their families and DALYS (Disability Adjusted Life Years). Current estimates of people affected worldwide include back pain 632 million, neck pain 332 million, osteoarthritis of the knee 251 million, and other MS conditions 561 million. The present study was conducted to evaluate the analgesic property of Curcuma longa in cases suffering from arthralgia. The cases were assessed on VAS scoring. Dependent sample (paired) t-test result, to assess the effect of Curcuma longa on VAS score post treatment (M= 3.72, SD= 2.31), compared to pre treatment (M= 7.33, SD= 1.69), indicates decrease in VAS score after treatment with Curcuma longa. Levene’s test indicated equal variances (F= 10.19, p= 0.002) so df= 94. There is significant (p= 0.00) decrease in VAS score with Curcuma longa (M=3.72, SD= 2.31) than Placebo (M= 7.00, SD= 1.53), t(94)= 8.18, the mean difference between the groups being M= 3.29, SE= 0.40. Thus stating that Curcuma longa has a role in decreasing the VAS score after treatment with mean difference of M= 3.29, SE= 0.40 as compared to Placebo in patients suffering from arthralgia. The symptoms in which Curcuma longa showed maximum improvement were aggravated by motion, cloudy weather, morning and ameliorated by rest and warmth. 30th centesimal potency of Curcuma longa showed maximum results in arthralgia.

Keywords: Curcuma longa.