Homoeopathic Management of Intellectual Disability: A Narrative Review.

Intellectual disability, previously known as mental retardation, can be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, leading to cognitive and social impairments. According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disability, it is a disability that manifests bef...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Homoeopathic Links Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 75 - 83
Autores principales: R., Bhuvaneswari, V., Sakthivel
Formato: review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart May2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Intellectual disability, previously known as mental retardation, can be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, leading to cognitive and social impairments. According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disability, it is a disability that manifests before the age of 18 and is characterized by substantial limitations in both intellectual functioning such as reasoning, learning, and problem-solving and adaptive behavior including conceptual, social, and practical skills. Homoeopathic medicines can be effective in intellectual disability by managing behavior and related conditions, but evidence is still limited. This article critically evaluates, summarizes, and synthesizes published research findings, and assesses the reported effectiveness of homeopathic treatment in intellectual disability. We searched across multiple international databases and portals, including PubMed, Medscape, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, Springer, Scopus, and the AYUSH portal, to collect relevant publications such as reviews, research articles, case series, and case reports up to the year 2024. Various search terms were utilized to ensure an extensive investigation into topics related to intellectual disability, homeopathy, and mental retardation. Due to the limited number of literature available, only 15 studies related to Intellectual disability were found and were evaluated by considering factors such as references, publication year, clinical conditions, sample size, study design, intervention/comparator, outcome, and results in the search results using keywords. Out of these 15 studies, a total of nine studies three case reports, five prospective observational studies, and one pilot study met the inclusion criteria and were carefully reviewed, considering factors such as study design, methodology, the homoeopathic medicine administered, and observed outcomes. the full texts with abstract of these nine studies. Individualized homoeopathic treatment showed promising possible benefit as a complementary approach in managing behavioral and functional challenges in individuals with intellectual disability. Insufficient research on evidence-based parameters necessitates randomized controlled trials with validated scales for intellectual disability disorder.