Homeopathic Effectiveness
Reported August 26, 2005

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Homeopathic remedies produce no more healing benefits than dummy treatments, according to Swiss researchers.

Researchers from the University of Berne, Switzerland, compared the outcomes of more than 100 placebo-controlled trials of homeopathic remedies with matched trials involving traditional medicines. The studies involved medical problems ranging from respiratory infections to surgery to pain management.

In their analysis of large, high-quality studies, they found no evidence that homeopathic remedies were any better than placebos. But differences between placebo and traditional medicines were significant. In smaller, lower-quality studies, the scientists found more reports of benefit, regardless of the type of treatment.

Researcher and professor from the University of Berne, Matthias Eggar says, "Our study powerfully illustrates the interplay and cumulative effect of different sources of bias. We acknowledge that to prove a negative is impossible, but we have shown that the effects seen in placebo-controlled trials of homeopathy are compatible with the placebo hypothesis."

In an accompanying editorial, Jan Vandenbroucke, M.D., Ph.D, of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands says, "Now doctors need to be bold and honest with their patients about homeopathy's benefit."

SOURCE: Lancet, 2005,336: 690-732