Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy

摘要: Background Homoeopathy is widely used, but specific effects of homoeopathic remedies seem implausible. Bias in the conduct and reporting trials a possible explanation for positive findings both homoeopathy conventional medicine. We analysed medicine estimated treatment least likely to be affected by bias. Methods Placebo-controlled were identified comprehensive literature search, which covered 19 electronic databases, reference lists relevant papers, contacts with experts. Trials matched disorder type outcome randomly selected from Cochrane Controlled Register (issue 1, 2003). Data extracted duplicate outcomes coded so that odds ratios below 1 indicated benefit. described as double-blind, adequate randomisation, assumed higher methodological quality. examined funnel plots meta-regression models. Findings 110 conventional-medicine analysed. The median study size was 65 participants (range ten 1573). 21 (19%) nine (8%) In groups, smaller those lower quality showed more beneficial than larger higher-quality trials. When analysis restricted large quality, ratio 0·88 (95% CI 0·65–1·19) (eight trials) 0·58 (0·39–0·85) (six trials). Interpretation Biases are present placebo-controlled account taken these biases analysis, there weak evidence effect remedies, strong interventions. This finding compatible notion clinical placebo effects.