The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7243 p464
5 April 2003

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Related websites
Thorax abstract (more)

Placebo effect only for homoeopathic medicines used for childhood asthma

Homoeopathic remedies are no better than placebo in improving the quality of life of children with mild to moderate asthma, a new study suggests (Thorax 2003;58:317).

The authors point out that homoeopathic medicines are frequently used in the United Kingdom to treat asthma in children but say there is "no clear evidence" that they are superior to placebo.

They conducted a randomised double-blind trial involving 93 patients recruited from five general practices in Somerset to test the efficacy of homoeopathic remedies in asthma. The children were aged between 5 and 15 years and had mild to moderate disease that was treated with conventional asthma inhalers.

Individualised homoeopathic treatment was provided by three classically trained homoeopaths who had been in practice for at least 10 years. The practitioners were free to prescribe any homoeopathic remedy and could change the remedy during the 52-week trial. The children recruited into the trial could attend up to six homoeopathic consultations over the course of the year and were encouraged not to alter their conventional medication without advice from their asthma nurse or doctor.

Prescriptions issued by the homoeopaths were faxed to a homoeopathic pharmacist and dispensed in two forms (placebo and genuine homoeopathic preparation). Half the children were given placebo tablets with both the children and the practitioners blinded to the treatment received.

Validated questionnaires, designed to assess the quality of life for children with asthma, were completed at the start of the trial and 12 months later. Other measures were assessed using a weekly diary that recorded the number of days on which the child experienced asthma symptoms or events. Patients were also asked about possible adverse events.

The researchers say that analysis of the results provided no evidence that homoeopathic treatment had any measurable impact on quality of life. The severity of symptoms lessened among children taking homoeopathic remedies but the size of this effect was small. The researchers also point out that there were no changes in the rate of exacerbations, which they say is believed by homoeopaths to be a sign of successful treatment.

A spokeswoman for the Society of Homoeopaths told The Journal that it commended the study on its attempt to investigate the effects of individualised homeopathic treatment. However, she added: "The use of a placebo comparison is fraught with hidden complications. Returning patients who demonstrate little reaction are assumed to have been prescribed the wrong remedy. The homoeopath will continue to prescribe different remedies not knowing whether they have misprescribed or if the patient is receiving placebo. If a patient is improved at a return visit, the homoeopath will assume that the remedy was beneficial and will not alter the prescription. These factors make it almost impossible for homoeopaths to participate in randomised controlled trials."