Comparative Evaluation of Boenninghausen's and Kent's Repertory in The Management of Chronic Migraine: A Multi-Centric Clinical Study

Int. Jr. of Contemp. Res. in Multi. PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL Volume 4 Issue 5 [SepOct] Year 2025 467 © 2025 Dr. Mateen Ahemad Saifullah Shaikh, Dr. Aarti Gorakhnath Kanchar 2, Dr. Sarvesh Umakant Tiwari. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND).https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Research Article Comparative Evaluation of Boenninghausen’s and Kent’s Repertory in The Management of Chronic Migraine: A Multi-Centric Clinical Study Dr. Mateen Ahemad Saifullah Shaikh 1*, Dr. Aarti Gorakhnath Kanchar 2, Dr. Sarvesh Umakant Tiwari 3 1 BHMS, MD Homoeopathy (Repertory), Prof. and HOD Dept. of Repertory, Matoshri Education Society’s Matoshri Homoeopathic College & Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra, India 2 BHMS, MD (Homoeopathy – Practice of Medicine), Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine Sayli Charitable Trust’s Homoeopathic College, Chh. Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India 3 MD Homoeopathy (Repertory), Assistant Professor, Dept. of Human Physiology, Dhanvantari H.M.C. & R.C. Nashik, Maharashtra, India Corresponding Author: * Dr. Mateen Ahemad Saifullah Shaikh DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17481418 Abstract Manuscript Information Background: Chronic migraine is a disabling neurovascular disorder characterized by recurrent headaches and associated systemic symptoms. The individualized homeopathic approach offers significant promise for long-term management, particularly when prescriptions are guided by systematic repertorization. This study compares the clinical outcomes obtained using Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book (T.P.B.) and Kent’s Repertory in patients with chronic migraine. Objective: To evaluate and compare the therapeutic outcomes of Boenninghausen’s and Kent’s Repertory-based prescriptions in chronic migraine through a multi-centric clinical trial. Methods: A prospective comparative clinical study was conducted at two centers in Maharashtra— Nashik and Aurangabad—from January to June 2025. A total of 60 patients (30 per group) were enrolled based on ICHD-3 criteria for migraine. Group A: Boenninghausen’s repertory used for case analysis and prescription. Group B: Kent’s repertory used for case analysis. Selection of remedies was confirmed through Materia Medica correlation. The primary outcomes included frequency of attacks, intensity (VAS), and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Both groups showed a significant reduction in migraine frequency and intensity after 12 weeks. Mean attack frequency reduced from 6.3 ± 1.2 to 2.8 ± 0.9 in Group A and from 6.1 ± 1.0 to 3.6 ± 1.1 in Group B. MIDAS scores improved by 65% in Group A and 48% in Group B. Remedies frequently indicated were Belladonna, Gelsemium, Natrum muriaticum, and Sanguinaria canadensis. Conclusion: Boenninghausen’s Repertory proved more effective due to its emphasis on modalities and concomitant symptoms, yielding better individualized prescriptions for chronic migraine management. ▪ ISSN No: 2583-7397 ▪ Received: 08-08-2025 ▪ Accepted: 27-09-2025 ▪ Published: 30-10-2025 ▪ IJCRM:4(5); 2025: 467-470 ▪ ©2025, All Rights Reserved ▪ Plagiarism Checked: Yes ▪ Peer Review Process: Yes How to Cite this Article Shaikh MAS, Kanchar AG, Tiwari SU. Comparative Evaluation of Boenninghausen’s and Kent’s Repertory in The Management of Chronic Migraine: A Multi-Centric Clinical Study. Int J Contemp Res Multidiscip. 2025;4(5):467-470. Access this Article Online www.multiarticlesjournal.com KEYWORDS: Chronic Migraine, Boenninghausen’s Repertory, Kent’s Repertory, Homoeopathy, Repertorization Int. Jr. of Contemp. Res. in Multi. PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL Volume 4 Issue 5 [SepOct] Year 2025 468 © 2025 Dr. Mateen Ahemad Saifullah Shaikh, Dr. Aarti Gorakhnath Kanchar 2, Dr. Sarvesh Umakant Tiwari. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND).https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 1. INTRODUCTION Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting nearly 12% of the global population (WHO, 2023). It causes significant socioeconomic and functional impairment due to its recurrent and disabling nature. In Homoeopathy, migraine represents a chronic miasmatic disorder influenced by genetic and environmental triggers. Individualization of treatment— central to Hahnemannian philosophy—remains crucial for successful outcomes. Two principal repertorial approaches dominate classical Homoeopathy: 1. Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book (T.P.B.), which emphasizes modalities and concomitants, focusing on the totality of symptoms rather than isolated particulars. 2. Kent’s Repertory, a hierarchically structured repertory emphasizing mental generals, then physical generals, and particulars. While both approaches have distinct advantages, their comparative effectiveness in clinical migraine management has not been systematically studied in a multicenter setting. 2. METHODOLOGY Study Design A prospective, comparative, multicenter clinical study was undertaken at two homeopathic teaching hospitals. Sixty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups of thirty each. Inclusion Criteria • Age 18–55 years • Diagnosed with chronic migraine (≥15 headache days/month for >3 months) • No concurrent allopathic prophylaxis Exclusion Criteria • Secondary headaches or intracranial pathology • Hormonal disorders, psychiatric illness • Pregnancy or lactation Intervention Each case underwent detailed case taking per §83–104 of the Organon of Medicine (6th Edition). Group A (Boenninghausen): Repertorization done using T.P.B., emphasizing modalities and concomitants. Group B (Kent): Repertorization done using Kent’s Repertory, emphasizing generals and mentals. Prescriptions were individualized; most remedies were used in 200C or LM potencies with follow-ups every two weeks. Assessment Tools • VAS (0–10): Pain intensity • MIDAS Score: Disability quantification • Attack Frequency: Mean monthly count Baseline and post-12-week values were compared using paired t-test analysis. 3. RESULTS Table 1: Comparison of Mean Improvement in Clinical Parameters Parameter Boenninghausen (n=30) Kent (n=30) Mean Attack Frequency (baseline) 6.3 ± 1.2 6.1 ± 1.0 Mean Attack Frequency (12 weeks) 2.8 ± 0.9 3.6 ± 1.1 Pain VAS Reduction (%) 61% 47% MIDAS Score Improvement (%) 65% 48% p-value (between groups) 0.032 — Statistical significance was achieved for attack frequency and MIDAS improvement (p < 0.05). Common Remedies: Belladonna 200C, Natrum muriaticum 200C, Sanguinaria canadensis 30C, Gelsemium sempervirens LM1. REPRESENTATIVE CASE 1 Female, 29 years, chronic right-sided throbbing headache for 5 years, < noise, > pressure; associated with nausea and photophobia. Boenninghausen analysis → Sanguinaria canadensis 30C once daily for 7 days. Outcome: Attacks reduced from 8/month to 3/month in 6 weeks; MIDAS improved by 70%. REPRESENTATIVE CASE 2 Male, 35 years, left-sided headache, < sunlight, < emotional stress; marked irritability and aversion to company. Kent repertorization → Natrum muriaticum 200C, single dose, followed by placebo. Outcome: Attack frequency decreased from 6 to 4/month in 3 months; moderate reduction in intensity (VAS 8 → 5). 4. DISCUSSION Results indicate that Boenninghausen’s Repertory provided more individualized prescriptions and better clinical improvement than Kent’s. The inclusion of concomitant symptoms and modalities allowed a broader, more flexible symptom totality. Kent’s approach, though systematic, relies heavily on mental symptoms, which may not be prominent in all migraine patients. This aligns with previous findings by Oberai (2015) and Koley (2018), who emphasized repertorial precision in chronic conditions. The remedies identified reflect the miasmatic background (Psora-Sycotic predominance) and constitutional tendencies, confirming the holistic applicability of Homoeopathic philosophy. Int. Jr. of Contemp. Res. in Multi. PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL Volume 4 Issue 5 [SepOct] Year 2025 469 © 2025 Dr. Mateen Ahemad Saifullah Shaikh, Dr. Aarti Gorakhnath Kanchar 2, Dr. Sarvesh Umakant Tiwari. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND).https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 5. CONCLUSION Both repertorial approaches demonstrated clinical value in chronic migraine. However, Boenninghausen’s T.P.B. was more effective for individualized prescriptions, particularly in cases with well-marked modalities and concomitants. It offers a reliable, reproducible framework for Homoeopathic clinical decision-making. Further large-scale trials with longer followup are recommended. REFERENCES Classical Homoeopathic Sources 1. Allen TF. The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica. Vols. 1–10. New York: Boericke & Tafel; 1874–1879. 2. Boericke W. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1927. 3. Boenninghausen CV. Therapeutic Pocket Book. Leipzig: Arnold; 1846. 4. Kent JT. Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica. Chicago: Ehrhart & Karl; 1905. 5. Phatak SR. Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines. Mumbai: Kalindi Publishers; 1977. 6. Hering C. The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica. Vols. 1–10. Philadelphia: Boericke & Tafel; 1879. 7. Clarke JH. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica. Vols. 1–3. London: Homeopathic Publishing Co; 1900– 1902. 8. Boger CM. Boenninghausen’s Characteristics and Repertory. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1931. 9. Farrington EA. Clinical Materia Medica. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1887. 10. Nash EB. Leaders in Homoeopathic Therapeutics. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1913. Modern Research & Clinical Studies in Migraine 11. Oberai P, et al. Homoeopathic management of migraine: An observational study. Homeopathy. 2015;104(3):215– 21. 12. Banerjee A, Pathak S. Repertorial confirmation in migraine and neuralgic headaches: A comparative analysis. Indian J Res Homoeopathy. 2020;14(3):145–54. 13. Koley M, Pathak S. Comparative repertorial approaches in migraine management. Indian J Res Homoeopathy. 2018;12(4):205–10. 14. Sharma A, Singh R. Evaluation of individualized homoeopathic therapy in chronic migraine: A clinical audit. J Integr Complement Med. 2021;25(4):58–66. 15. Raval H, Patel D. Effectiveness of Boenninghausen’s vs Kent’s approach in migraine management. Int J Homoeopath Sci. 2019;7(2):135–42. 16. Jadhav R, Mehta A. Role of concomitant symptoms in prescription accuracy: A clinical perspective. Homoeopathic Heritage. 2020;45(6):12–7. Neurological & Pathophysiological Context 17. Goadsby PJ, Holland PR, Martins-Oliveira M, Hoffmann J, Schankin C, Akerman S. Pathophysiology of migraine: A disorder of sensory processing. Physiol Rev. 2017;97(2):553–622. 18. Ashina M, et al. Migraine and the trigeminovascular system: Recent advances. Nat Rev Neurol. 2021;17(8):501–12. 19. Buse DC, et al. Impact of migraine on quality of life and health outcomes. Headache. 2019;59(8):1310–23. 20. World Health Organization. Global Burden of Headache Disorders and Migraine. Geneva: WHO; 2023. Homoeopathic Research & Mechanistic Studies 21. Bell IR, Koithan M. Nanopharmacology of homeopathic remedies: Implications for chronic neurological diseases. Homeopathy. 2018;107(2):45–54. 22. Khuda-Bukhsh AR, Chakraborty I. Homoeopathic nanodilutions: Evidence-based review of mechanisms. Integr Med Res. 2015;4(3):142–8. 23. Chikramane PS, et al. Presence of nanoparticles in homeopathic dilutions: A chemical and physical analysis. Langmuir. 2012;28(45):15864–75. 24. Witt CM, Lüdtke R, Willich SN. Homeopathic treatment of chronic headaches: Results from clinical outcome studies. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2009;9(1):1–9. 25. Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH). Homoeopathy in Neurological Disorders: Clinical Research Portfolio. New Delhi: Ministry of AYUSH, 2021. 26. Vithoulkas G. Levels of Health: A Practical Classification for Homoeopathic Practice. Alonissos: IACH Press; 2019. Methodology, Research Design & Statistics 27. Park K. Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 27th ed. Jabalpur: Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers; 2023. 28. Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady D, Newman TB. Designing Clinical Research. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013. 29. Dawson B, Trapp RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2014. 30. International Headache Society. The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1–211. Int. Jr. of Contemp. Res. in Multi. PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL Volume 4 Issue 5 [SepOct] Year 2025 470 © 2025 Dr. Mateen Ahemad Saifullah Shaikh, Dr. Aarti Gorakhnath Kanchar 2, Dr. Sarvesh Umakant Tiwari. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND).https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Homoeopathic Philosophy & Organon Correlation 31. Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th ed. Leipzig: Arnold; 1921. 32. Close S. The Genius of Homoeopathy. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1924. 33. Roberts HA. The Principles and Art of Cure by Homoeopathy. Philadelphia: Boericke & Tafel; 1936. 34. Kent JT. Lectures on Homoeopathic Philosophy. Chicago: Ehrhart & Karl; 1900. 35. Allen HC. The Therapeutics of Intermittent Fevers. Chicago: Ehrhart & Karl; 1906. Creative Commons (CC) License This article is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. About the Authors Dr. Mateen Ahemad Saifullah Shaikh, BHMS, MD (Homoeopathy – Repertory), is Professor and Head of the Department of Repertory at Matoshri Education Society’s Matoshri Homoeopathic College & Hospital, Eklahare, Nashik. He is an accomplished academician and clinician with extensive experience in homoeopathic repertory, teaching, and patient-centered healthcare. Dr. Aarti Gorakhnath Kanchar, M.D. (Homeopathy – Practice of Medicine), is an Associate Professor at Sayli Charitable Trust’s Homeopathic College, Mitmita, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India. She is committed to promoting excellence in homeopathic education, clinical practice, and research, focusing on holistic patient care and evidence-based medical training. Dr. Sarvesh Umakant Tiwari, M.D. (Homeopathy – Repertory), serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Physiology at Dhanvantari Homeopathic Medical College & Research Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India. He is dedicated to advancing medical education and research in homeopathy, emphasizing holistic health, repertory studies, and integrative physiological understanding.