Did you know that ....
Evidence shows that homeopathy really does work
Dr David Reilly and his team at Glasgow University conducted four double-blind placebo controlled trials [see notes] over 18 years. These trials were designed to examine the evidence for the hypothesis that any benefits of homeopathy are owing to the placebo effect [see notes]. These trials involved a total of 252 patients. They all produced similar positive results, demonstrating that homeopathy has an effect greater than placebo and these results are reproducible. 1
Since 1975 several randomised and/ or double blind clinical trials (RCTs) [see notes] in homeopathy, have been published in peer-reviewed journals. A recent review of this research shows that 50 out of 93 papers report a significant benefit of homeopathy. This is a very good result that indicates that homeopathy has an effect beyond placebo. The remainder of the papers, 41 out of 93 papers fail to discern a difference with homeopathy and only 2 papers describe an inferior response with homeopathy. From the results of this review one can conclude that the available research evidence emphasises the need for much more and better-directed research in homeopathy.2
Researchers in the field suggest that RCTs are not the best research tool to test homeopathy, which is an individualised treatment.3 New research models are being developed to better reflect homeopathic clinical practice.
Finally, homeopathy has been demonstrated to work on animals, children and babies, who are not subject to a placebo effect.
Notes
Double-blind trials - Researcher conducting the trial and the participants in the trial are unaware of what preparations are given to participants.
Placebo - Preparation that is inactive with no pharmacological content.
Placebo controlled trials - Placebo is given to some trial participants to test the relative effectiveness of the active preparation that is given to others.
Placebo effect - Symptoms improve after the placebo was taken due to the psycho-physiological effects of the treatment.
Randomised Control Trial - Preparations are allocated to the participants in a clinical trial on a random basis.