Introduction:

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis(SSPE) is relentlessly progressive fatal encephalitis occurring after infection with measles virus with 95% dying within 5-10 years of diagnosis. Conventional treatment has shown limited results. G-therapy has shown beneficial results in SSPE.

Aims and objectives:

To investigate efficacy and safety of G-therapy in patients with SSPE.

Methodology:

Patients with confirmed diagnosis of SSPE were started on G-therapy (combination of Pharmacopeia approved Homeopathic remedies developed on the principles of Ayurveda and Neurophysiology) with prior consent. Medication was in addition to conventional therapies. They were video recorded prior, during and following treatment. Drug therapy was provided at no cost. Those that did not continue after initial visit were considered as controls.

Results:

Study includes 306  SSPE patients who visited our centre from 1999-2017, from all age groups across world. 62.7%(192/306) continued to take treatment while 37.3%(114/306) dropped out.

76%(146/192) showed clinical improvements in motor, mental, speech, daily activities with reduction in myoclonic jerks. 34.9%(67/192) patients showed EEG improvements like disappearance of periodic complexes and improvement/normalisation of background activity.

Patients on G-therapy had longer survival when compared to those who did not continue treatment(p= 0.005). Death was reported in 22.4%(43/192) which was lower(p= 0.025) compared to patients who did not continue treatment(34.2%-39/114).

No adverse effects were noted in any patients.

Conclusion:

• G-Therapy has shown significant benefits than conventional treatment options with no noted side effects.
• While not a cure, G-therapy should be considered for patients with SSPE as safe, economical, adjunctive treatment.