Research in Homeopathy, Selected randomised clinical trials of homeopathy

Selected randomised clinical trials of homeopathy

Asthma
Homeopathic immunotherapy for the treatment of chronic asthma ¹³

Subjects were chosen from people attending an asthma outpatient clinic. Their symptoms and compliance were monitored for a four-week run-in period and they were asked not to take any new allergen-avoidance measures during the trial. At the beginning of the run-in, each patient was assessed by a homeopathic and an asthma clinic doctor. A nurse did skin tests and a respiratory physiologist measured pulmonary function and bronchial reactivity to histamine.

The study design was a randomized double-blind assessment of two parallel groups, one receiving homeopathic treatment and the other a placebo. Twenty-eight patients with allergic asthma, most of them sensitive to house-dust mite, were randomly allocated to receive either oral homeopathic immunotherapy to their principal allergen or a placebo of identical appearance. The homeopathic doctor selected the homeopathic prescription on the basis of the largest skin-test weal concordant with allergy history. The test treatments were given as a complement to patients' usual conventional care.

At the main end-point 4 weeks after the treatment began, patients were reassessed by both doctors, diaries were checked and pulmonary function tested. A significant difference (P=0.003) in visual analogue score in favour of homeopathic immunotherapy appeared within one week of starting treatment and persisted for up to eight weeks. There were similar trends in respiratory function and bronchial reactivity tests.

<< Back to text

		Selected randomised clinical trials of homeopathy
		Asthma Influenza Glue ear Pain Upper respiratory tract infection *Asthma* Homeopathic immunotherapy for the treatment of chronic asthma ¹³ Subjects were chosen from people attending an asthma outpatient clinic. Their symptoms and compliance were monitored for a four-week run-in period and they were asked not to take any new allergen-avoidance measures during the trial. At the beginning of the run-in, each patient was assessed by a homeopathic and an asthma clinic doctor. A nurse did skin tests and a respiratory physiologist measured pulmonary function and bronchial reactivity to histamine. The study design was a randomized double-blind assessment of two parallel groups, one receiving homeopathic treatment and the other a placebo. Twenty-eight patients with allergic asthma, most of them sensitive to house-dust mite, were randomly allocated to receive either oral homeopathic immunotherapy to their principal allergen or a placebo of identical appearance. The homeopathic doctor selected the homeopathic prescription on the basis of the largest skin-test weal concordant with allergy history. The test treatments were given as a complement to patients' usual conventional care. At the main end-point 4 weeks after the treatment began, patients were reassessed by both doctors, diaries were checked and pulmonary function tested. A significant difference (P=0.003) in visual analogue score in favour of homeopathic immunotherapy appeared within one week of starting treatment and persisted for up to eight weeks. There were similar trends in respiratory function and bronchial reactivity tests. << Back to text		Table of contents Homeopathy: the great debate Clinical research in homeopathy Veterinary homeopathy Issues and controversies Mechanism of action Is homeopathy safe? Is homeopathy cost effective? BHA/Faculty’s research strategy References Research discussion forum C O N T A C T U S S I T E M A P H O M E
		Home \| Faculty of Homeopathy \| British Homeopathic Association \| Research in homeopathy © 2000 - 2007 British Homeopathic Association. Site developed by Chord9 Ltd.