Source
Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom. Edzard.Ernst@pms.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the evidence for and against the effectiveness of homeopathy.
DATA SOURCES:
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (generally considered to be the most reliable source of evidence) was searched in January 2010.
STUDY SELECTION:
Cochrane reviews with the term "homeopathy" in the title, abstract or keywords were considered. Protocols of reviews were excluded. Six articles met the inclusion criteria.
DATA EXTRACTION:
Each of the six reviews was examined for specific subject matter; number of clinical trials reviewed; total number of patients involved; and authors' conclusions. The reviews covered the following conditions: cancer, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, dementia, influenza and induction of labour.
DATA SYNTHESIS:
The findings of the reviews were discussed narratively (the reviews' clinical and statistical heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis).
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings of currently available Cochrane reviews of studies of homeopathy do not show that homeopathic medicines have effects beyond placebo.