Efficacy of Habb-e-Hindi in low back pain: a comparative clinical trial with historical control

Background: Low Back Pain is one of the common conditions encountered in clinical practice. An estimated 65% to 80% of population will experience it during lifetime. As far as the various documented side effects of analgesics and NSAIDs have been concerned, complementary and alternative treatment options have, therefore, gained popularity. In Unani classical literature, Habb-e-Hindi is being indicated for joint’s pain in general and can be evaluated as safe, effective and alternative treatment of LBP. Methods: This historical control clinical trial testing the superiority of Habb-e-Hindi with Unani formulation used in previous study carried out at NIUM Hospital, Bengaluru. The comparison of the efficacy was made between the test group and historical control group. Primary outcome measures were improvement in LBP (VAS in NRS) and the secondary outcome measures included improvement in QOL (ODI scores and QBPDS scores). Data were analyzed by using Fisher’s Exact/Chi-Square/Repeated measures and One-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc multiple comparison test for both intergroup and intragroup comparisons. Results: The test and the control group both equally had significant results. Test drug showed better results (in VAS). LBP associated disability (in ODI) got reduced significantly in control group as compared to the test group. The Significant Disability Change (in QBPDS) was recorded in all 20 patients of the control group as compared to that of the test group where only 4 patients showed significant reduction. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the Unani formulations are effective in the treatment of Low back pain.