Research in Homeopathy, Selected randomised clinical trials of homeopathy

Selected randomised clinical trials of homeopathy

Pain
The efficacy and safety of a homeopathic gel in the treatment of acute low back pain ²²

In most cases of acute low back pain, analgesics or topical medications are prescribed at first encounter with the GP. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the homeopathic gel Spiroflor SRL gel (SRL) is equally effective and better tolerated than Cremor Capsici Compositus FNA (CCC) in patients with acute low back pain.

A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted in the practices of 19 GPs in the districts of Bristol and Manchester. 161 subjects suffering from acute low back pain were treated for one week either with SRL or with CCC. Pain was scored on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS), which was compared between treatments. Evaluation of safety was primarily based on the number of subjects with adverse events (AEs), withdrawals due to an AE and adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

The mean difference between the VAS reduction in the SRL group and the CCC group (adjusted for VAS at baseline and age) was -0.6mm (90% CI = -6.5mm - 5.3mm). Fewer subjects in the SRL group (11%) experienced an AE than in the CCC group (26%). The same applies to the number of subjects with an ADR (4% vs. 24%) and to the number of subjects withdrawn due to an ADR (0% vs. 11%).

It was concluded that SRL and CCC were equally effective in the treatment of acute low back pain. Importantly, however, SRL had a better safety profile. Spiroflor SRL gel is preferable to Capsicum-based products for the topical treatment of low back pain, because of the lower risk of adverse effects.

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		Selected randomised clinical trials of homeopathy
		Asthma Influenza Glue ear Pain Upper respiratory tract infection Pain The efficacy and safety of a homeopathic gel in the treatment of acute low back pain ²² In most cases of acute low back pain, analgesics or topical medications are prescribed at first encounter with the GP. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the homeopathic gel Spiroflor SRL gel (SRL) is equally effective and better tolerated than Cremor Capsici Compositus FNA (CCC) in patients with acute low back pain. A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted in the practices of 19 GPs in the districts of Bristol and Manchester. 161 subjects suffering from acute low back pain were treated for one week either with SRL or with CCC. Pain was scored on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS), which was compared between treatments. Evaluation of safety was primarily based on the number of subjects with adverse events (AEs), withdrawals due to an AE and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The mean difference between the VAS reduction in the SRL group and the CCC group (adjusted for VAS at baseline and age) was -0.6mm (90% CI = -6.5mm - 5.3mm). Fewer subjects in the SRL group (11%) experienced an AE than in the CCC group (26%). The same applies to the number of subjects with an ADR (4% vs. 24%) and to the number of subjects withdrawn due to an ADR (0% vs. 11%). It was concluded that SRL and CCC were equally effective in the treatment of acute low back pain. Importantly, however, SRL had a better safety profile. Spiroflor SRL gel is preferable to Capsicum-based products for the topical treatment of low back pain, because of the lower risk of adverse effects. << 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
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