Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398

Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Medicine for Coping emotional stressin orphan

children with age group of 5 to 15 years: A prospective, case series

Dr. Sachin Bhalerao, Dr. Swanand Shukla, Dr. Ajay Valke, Dr. Sharmila Roy, Dr. Deepali Paraskar,
Dr. Farahnaz Shaikh, Mr Ravi Thapar

ABSTRACT:

Background:
Emotional stress may be defined as response to a negative change in a child’s life but, excessive stress can affect
the way a child thinks, act and feels. As per the epidemiology, the orphan-hood condition is very much prevalent in
the children deprived of parental support, love and affection. In the orphan house the individual attention is rare as
other children are also housed at same place, thus it becomes important to study the emotional status of these
children. In this study we would like to see the role of homoeopathic medicines in emotional status. Keywords –
Emotional stress, Children s Emotional Management Scale, Homoeopathy. Objective- Primary objectives –To
identify the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in the problem of emotional stress in the orphan children
using scale. Secondary objectives –To assess the problems of emotional stress in children aged 5 to 15 years in
the orphanage using the scale. Study Design – Prospective Case series. Materials and Method – 15 children from
the Adharashram with emotional stress were recruited and followed up for minimum period of 6 months. Children’s
Emotional Management Scale (CEMS) was used for the assessment of emotional status of the children. According
to the screening criteria 15 students were selected for the study. Trained homoeopathic physician prescribed
individualised homoeopathic similimum and again the patient were evaluated for the improvement of emotional
status on CEMS. Result –After prescribing homoeopathic medicines in children having emotional stress, we found
out that 87% of the cases are improved and 13% of the cases are not improved. N is equal to no. of cases (n=15),
whereas d represents differences of pre and post score(d=134), d bar equals to sum of difference divided by no. of
cases which came as=8.93, sum of difference(S) is root of pre and post score divided by no. cases minus one which
came as 4.55. The SE of difference is dum of difference divided by root of no. of cases which came to be 1.17. Test
statistics mean difference divided by SE, which is 7.63. Further our T value is greater than the table value of t (2.15).
Hence, we accept the hypothesis that Homoeopathic medicines is effective in coping the emotional stress in orphan
children of age group of 5-15 years. Conclusion – According to our study, homoeopathic medicines were effective
in coping emotional stress in orphan children. The population under study were screened and it was found that 73%
(anger – 20%, sadness- 6.6%, worry- 3%) of the children aged 5-15 years suffer from emotional stress in the
orphanage, according to the CEMS scale. Hence, emotional stress is prevalent condition in the studied population.
INTRODUCTION –According to the ministry of women and child development, 577 children across the country
have been orphaned since April by the second wave of pandemic. Experts suggest this is due to the higher mortality
rate of the young adults between 30 to 40 age group, some children have been totally left alone as their entire
immediate family succumbed to the virus. This increased the number of orphaned children in India, where the
number was already high.[1]

Emotional stress may be defined as response to a negative change in a child’s life but, excessive stress
can affect the way a child thinks, act and feels.[2]

As per the epidemiology, the orphan-hood condition is very much prevalent in the children deprived of

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023

 Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398

parental support, love and affection. In the orphan house the individual attention is rare as other children
are also housed at same place, thus it becomes important to study the emotional status of these children.
In this study we would like to see the role of homoeopathic medicines in emotional status.

Objective-
Primary objectives –To identify the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in the problem of emotional
stress in the orphan children using scale.
Secondary objectives –To assess the problems of emotional stress in children aged 5 to 15 years in the orphanage
using the scale

Materials and Method-

Study design – Case series
Data collection (location of study) – Cases are being from Adharashram, Gharpure Ghat,Ashok Stambh, Nashik.
Duration of Study – The study will be done for the period of 6 months
Method of selection of study subject (eligibility criteria):
Inclusion criteria -
Age group: 5-15 years of age
Sex: Both sexes
Diagnosed cases having emotional stress using the scale
Exclusion criteria
Age group above 15 years.
Children on medication for various health conditions.
Children with psychiatry disorders.
Procedure –
The study was conducted over a period of 6 months. The data of the outcome of the treatment was systematically
maintained. Written informed consent from each patient was obtained. Each case was recorded on a pre designed
case taking pro – forma. Information about level of stress in the children and its aggravating factors were recorded.

Selection of medicines –
After case taking and examination, patient’s symptoms were analysed and each patient was prescribed single
homoeopathic medicine at a time after individualisation, followed by saclac. The repetition of dose and change of
potency and remedies were done as per the clinical response of the patient, following homoeopathic principles.

Evaluation –
The follow up period was of 6 months. Patient were evaluated clinically at an interval of 15 days. For the assessment
of prescribing indications of remedies. CEMS scale was used for assessment.

Children’s Emotional Management Scale (CEMS) –

The emotional status of the patient was assessed with CEMS scale. CEMS considers 3 parts; anger, sadness, worry.
The emotional score is the sum of all the above scores and was graded using the CEMS scale.

Statistical Analysis –
In order to test our hypothesis, we used paired t test, to know the effectiveness of emotional stress. As we calculated
t value (2.15) which is much lesser than our calculated value. Hence, we reject the null hypothesis CEMS value
That means, homoeopathic medicines were effective in reducing the emotional stress in children.

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023

 Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398

1 Pie Percentage of Improving and Non Improving Cases:

Fig. 1.1 Showing improving and non improving cases in percentage

Improving Not improving

13%

87%

Most Common Remedies used in Case:

Fig. 1.2

taren lyc ign pul nat. bel

t o s mur l

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023

Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398
NAME OF REMEDIES NO. OF CASES
Tarentula 1
Lycopodium 4
Ignatia 3
Pulsatilla 4
Natrum muriaticum 2
Belladonna 1

Fig. 1.3 Male and Female Cases:

NO. OF MALE AND FEMALE

1 2
2
13%

1
87%

Table 1.3 showing no. Of male and female cases

01 NO. OF FEMALE CASES 13

02 NO. OF MALE CASES 02

Fig. 1.4 Showing pre and post CMES score

PR E A N D POS T C MES S C OR E
Series1 Series2
65
64

61
56

56

55

55

55
54
53

53
52

52
51
51

50

50

49
48

48
47

46

46

46
45

45
44
44

44
43

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Table 1.4 showing series 1 and 2 of pre and post score

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023

Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398

Series -1 PRE SCORE

Series - 2 POST SCORE

Fig. 1.5 Showing Male vs Female improvement chart

ANGER SADNESS WORRY

BEFORE 281 311 238
AFTER 229 259 211

Table No :1.6 Average score of CEMS Scale Before and After in our study

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023

Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398

Graph No:1.6 Average score of CEMS Scale Before and After in our study

Chart Title
400 281 311
229 259 238
300 211
200
100
0
ANGER SADNESS WORRY
BEFORE 281 311 238
AFTER 229 259 211

BEFORE AFTER

Figure 1.6: Bar Graph representing average score of CEMS Scale Before and After in our study

DISCUSSION-
Emotional Stress can be define as Negative change in a child’s life
It can include worry, anxiety, not able to relax, or new or recurring fears.
Excessive emotional stress can affect the way how a child thinks, feels or acts.
A screening (Google form) of 65 patients was conducted. According to the Children Emotional Management
Scale. (CEMS) at Aadharashram, Gharpure Ghat, Ashok Stambh, Nashik out of which 15 were diagnosis.
Number of children with emotional stress 15.
Number of participants gave consent – 15
The study assessed the effect of Homoeopathic individualized medicine in management of emotional stress.
The most affected age group 5 to 14 years.
According to the data it was observed that medicine prescribed on the basis of individualization and totality
of symptoms are effective in emotional stress.
Most commonly prescribe remedies were Pulsatilla, Nat Mur, Lycopodium, Ignatia.
During the course of our study we observed improvement in symptoms related to emotional stress, there were
2 patients who were not improved with the medication, their physical complaints were relieved but their
mental symptoms could not be coped up. This could be because they were new to the atmosphere of the
orphanage. They even had behavioural symptoms like nail biting, change in eating habits etc. which we were
not able to change.
The indicated homoeopathic medicine improved the emotional stress of orphan children by using the CEMS
scale.

Result –
After prescribing homoeopathic medicines in children having emotional stress, we found out that 87% of the
cases are improved and 13% of the cases are not improved. N is equal to no. of cases (n=15), whereas d
represents differences of pre and post score(d=134), d bar equals to sum of difference divided by no. of cases
which came as=8.93, sum of difference(S) is root of pre and post score divided by no. cases minus one
which came as 4.55. The SE of difference is dum of difference divided by root of no. of cases which came to
be 1.17. Test statistics mean difference divided by SE, which is 7.63. Further our T value is greater than the

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023

Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398

table value of t (2.15). Hence, we accept the hypothesis that Homoeopathic medicines is effective in coping
the emotional stress in orphan children of age group of 5-15 years.

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023

Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398

Conclusion –
According to our study, homoeopathic medicines were effective in emotional stress in orphan
children.
The population under study were screened and it was found that 73%(anger 20%, sadness 6.6%,
worry 3%) of the children aged 5-15 years suffer from emotional stress in the orphanage,
according to our CEMS scale.
Hence, emotional stress is a prevalent condition in the studied population.

Bibliography-
1) ForumIAS FIAS, editor. Orphaned children in India - explained, pointwise [Internet].
ForumIAS Blog. 2021 [cited 2023Jan15]. Available from:
https://blog.forumias.com/orphaned-children-in- india/
2) Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of
Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD,
Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Stress in childhood: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia [Internet]. MedlinePlus. U.S.
National Library of Medicine; 2022 [cited 2023Jan15]. Available from:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002059.htm
3) Shafiq F, Haider SI, Ijaz S. Anxiety, depression, stress, and decision-making among
orphans and non-orphans in Pakistan [Internet]. Psychology research and behavior
management. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2020 [cited 2023Jan15]. Available
from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7125317/
4) Singh K, Junnarkar M, Sharma S. Anxiety, stress, depression, and psychosocial
functioning of Indian adolescents [Internet]. Indian journal of psychiatry. U.S. National
Library of Medicine; 2015 [cited 2023Jan15]. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4711236/
5) Gaurav A. (2011). Home page. What is Stress? Meaning, Definition and Causes of Stress.
Retrived on 1 st December, 2018 from http://kalyancity.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-is-
stress-meaning-definition-and.html
6) Schneiderman N, Ironson G, Siegel SD. Stress and health: Psychological, behavioral,
and biological determinants [Internet]. Annual review of clinical psychology. U.S.
National Library of Medicine; 2005 [cited 2023Jan16]. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2568977/
7) MSW Wby: DT, MD Rby: KF. 3 types of stress: Causes, effects, & how to cope [Internet].
Choosing Therapy. [cited 2023Jan16]. Available from:
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/types-of-stress/
8) Team BHE. 7 types of cognitive stress symptoms that might be affecting you [Internet].
BetterHelp. BetterHelp; 2022 [cited 2023Jan16]. Available from:
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/stress/7-types-of-cognitive-stress-symptoms-that-
might-be-affecting-you/
9) Experts KHM, editor. Your child's habits (for parents) - nemours kidshealth [Internet].
KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation; [cited 2023Jan16]. Available from:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/five-habits.html

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023

Materia Novum - The Journal of Homoeopathy ISSN : 2583-4398

10) Quick Guide to Acute Stress Disorder [Internet]. Child Mind Institute. 2021 [cited
2023Jan16]. Available from: https://childmind.org/guide/quick-guide-to-acute-stress-
disorder/
11) Lyness DA, editor. Childhood stress: How parents can help (for parents) - nemours
kidshealth [Internet]. KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation; 2022 [cited 2023Jan16].
Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/stress.html
12) L; ZTV. Stress management methods in children and adolescents - past, present, and
future [Internet]. Hormone research in paediatrics. U.S. National Library of Medicine;
[cited 2023Jan16]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36096110/
13) How to help children and teens manage their stress [Internet]. American Psychological
Association. American Psychological Association; [cited 2023Jan16]. Available from:
https://www.apa.org/topics/children/stress
14) Staff FE, About the author FamilyEducation Staff This writer is a part of the
FamilyEducation editorial team. Our team is comprised of parents, author Athe, View
more articles from this author. Top 10 sources of stress for kids [Internet].
FamilyEducation. 1998 [cited 2023Jan16]. Available from:
https://www.familyeducation.com/kids/health/mental/top-10-sources-stress-kids
15) Raj AS. Homoeopathic approach in emotional problems [Internet]. Homeopathy
Resource by Homeobook.com. 2022 [cited 2023Jan25]. Available from:
https://www.homeobook.com/homoeopathic-approach-in-emotional-problems/
16) Children’s Emotion Management Scale [Internet]. https://kuclinic.ku.edu/. Available
from:
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://kuclinic.ku.edu/sites
/
kuclinic/files/documents/9.CEMScaleParentCaregiverA11y.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwijsOeP
1
17) Indication of miasm by Dr Harimohan Choudhary
18) Dr. J.V. Dixit, Principles and practice of Bio-statistics, 7th Edition Page No. 130 to 134

Vol 7/Issue 4/Oct-Dec 2023