[Omeo33] Art 0397 - Homeopathy, 2003, 92 (2), 84-91

[Gino Santini]

The research evidence base for homeopathy: a fresh assessment of the  
literature
RT Mathie

Background. The claims made for the clinical effects of homeopathy are  
controversial. The results of several meta-analyses of clinical trials  
are positive, but they fail in general to highlight specific medical  
conditions that respond well to homeopathy.
Aims. This review examines the cumulative research from randomised and/ 
or double-blind clinical trials (RCTs) in homeopathy for individual  
medical conditions reported since 1975, and asks the question: What is  
the weight of the original evidence from published RCTs that  
homeopathy has an effect that is statistically significantly different  
from that in a comparative group?
Method. Analysis of the 93 substantive RCTs that compare homeopathy  
either with placebo or another treatment.
Results. 50 papers report a significant benefit of homeopathy in at  
least one clinical outcome measure, 41 that fail to discern any inter- 
group differences, and two that describe an inferior response with  
homeopathy. Considering the relative number of research articles on  
the 35 different medical conditions in which such research has been  
carried out, the weight of evidence currently favours a positive  
treatment effect in eight: childhood diarrhoea, fibrositis, hayfever,  
influenza, pain (miscellaneous), side-effects of radio- or  
chemotherapy, sprains and upper respiratory tract infection. Based on  
published research to date, it seems unlikely that homeopathy is  
efficacious for headache, stroke or warts. Insufficient research  
prevents conclusions from being drawn about any other medical  
conditions.
Conclusions. The available research evidence emphasises the need for  
much more and better-directed research in homeopathy. A fresh agenda  
of enquiry should consider beyond (but include) the placebo-controlled  
trial. Each study should adopt research methods and outcome  
measurements linked to a question addressing the clinical significance  
of homeopathy's effects.

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