Effect of homeopathy on analgesic intake following knee ligament reconstruction: a phase III monocentre randomized placebo controlled study

Abstract

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• The efficacy of homeopathy is still under debate and a recent meta-analysis recommended further randomized double-blind clinical trials to identify any clinical situation in which homeopathy might be effective. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• The complex of homeopathy tested in this study (Arnica montana 5 CH, Bryonia alba 5 CH, Hypericum perforatum 5 CH and Ruta graveolens 3 DH) is not superior to placebo in reducing 24 h morphine consumption after knee ligament reconstruction. AIMSThe efficacy of homeopathy is still under debate. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of homeopathic treatment (Arnica montana 5 CH, Bryonia alba 5 CH, Hypericum perforatum 5 CH and Ruta graveolens 3 DH) on cumulated morphine intake delivered by PCA over 24 h after knee ligament reconstruction. METHODSThis was an add-on randomized controlled study with three parallel groups: a double-blind homeopathic or placebo arm and an open-label noninterventional control arm. Eligible patients were 18-60 years old candidates for surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament. Treatment was administered the evening before surgery and continued for 3 days. The primary end-point was cumulated morphine intake delivered by PCA during the first 24 h inferior or superior/equal to 10 mg day -1 . RESULTSOne hundred and fifty-eight patients were randomized (66 in the placebo arm, 67 in the homeopathic arm and 25 in the noninterventional group). There was no difference between the treated and the placebo group for primary end-point (mean (95% CI) 48% (35.8, 56.3), and 56% (43.7, 68.3), required less than 10 mg day -1 of morphine in each group, respectively). The homeopathy treatment had no effect on morphine intake between 24 and 72 h or on the visual analogue pain scale, or on quality of life assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire. In addition, these parameters were not different in patients enrolled in the open-label noninterventional control arm. CONCLUSIONSThe complex of homeopathy tested in this study was not superior to placebo in reducing 24 h morphine consumption after knee ligament reconstruction.

Novel Wound Healing Powder Formulation for the Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers

“…34 Although helenalin's use is widespread, its efficacy remains inconclusive, with effectiveness demonstrated depending on a variety of different medical situations. 30,35 An inactive ingredient, Mentha arvensis, is a perennial herb, and oil extracted from its leaves yields an aromatic and antiseptic powder. 16,36 Similarly, the essential oil of M piperensis contains the analgesic component of menthol.…”

Use of Homeopathy in Pediatric Oncology in Germany

“…37.3% of all survey participants had already had experience of CAM, a figure which is lower than that in the German population as a whole [28, 29]. On the other hand, 76.5% of HUs had previous experience of CAM, always of homeopathy.…”

Effect of Gelsemium 5CH and 15CH on anticipatory anxiety: a phase III, single‐centre, randomized, placebo‐controlled study

“…As discussed in our previous study on homeopathic treatment for pain following knee ligament reconstruction [27], the usual mode of prescription of homeopathy is difficult to reproduce in a randomized clinical trial vs. placebo, because for the same pathology the treatment prescription can differ between patients, depending of the symptoms described; the prescription of homeopathic treatments being highly personalized. But we did not assess the personality of this population and we cannot demonstrate that it is fully representative of the target population of homeopathy.…”

“…Long duration of homeopathic treatment more than 2 days may have been more beneficial. As discussed in our previous study on homeopathic treatment for pain following knee ligament reconstruction [27], the usual mode of prescription of homeopathy is difficult to reproduce in a randomized clinical trial vs. placebo, because for the same pathology the treatment prescription can differ between patients, depending of the symptoms described; the prescription of homeopathic treatments being highly personalized.…”