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Abstract

0-090 Homeopathy, used by 500 million
people worldwide according to the
WHO, remains controversial. Provings,
now known as Homeopathic
Pathogenetic Trials ( HPTs) remain
one of the foundation stones of Homeopathy.
They involve the administration
of substances in Homeopathic
dilutions to groups of healthy people
with the aim of producing pathogenic
symptoms. This is the first review of
HPTs which meet modern standards
for trial design. A systematic review
was undertaken, using MEDLINE,
AMED, EMBASE , CINAHL, and
HOMINFORM. From 503 papers, 11
papers covering 15 trials met the full
inclusion criteria. The aim was to assess
whether Homeopathic substances
could produce symptoms different
from those produced by placebo. Trials
took place in different countries
using different medicines. Outcomes
were assessed by structured and
unstructured diaries and questionnaires.
Statistical meta-analysis was possible
for two of the outcome measures: 1.
A comparison of the level of symptoms
pre-defined as typical of the
trial medicine across the verum and
placebo group and 2.A comparison of
overall proving reactions in the two
groups. No significant differences
were found.
All of the included trials were of good
methodological quality in terms of
standard RCT design. However they
all shared a major weakness in relation
to homeopathic theory. The theory
suggests that only susceptible individuals
will respond to a particular
medicine, whether in clinical practice
or in a pathogenetic trial, and that the
percentage of individuals who are susceptible
will be small. For such trials
participants should first be screened
for susceptibility before randomisation
into the main trial. Otherwise
trials are likely to show no difference
between verum and placebo groups
since the level of symptoms produced
by placebo is always significant and
is unlikely to be less than any real
pathogenetic effects produced by the
medicine in the small percentage of
trial participants who are susceptible.
Presenter: Jim Rogers Senior Lecturer

Available Versions of this Item

• A systematic review of homeopathic pathogenetic trials. (deposited 10 Sep 2010 11:02)
  • A systematic review of homeopathic pathogenetic trials. (deposited 30 Oct 2010 18:09) [Currently Displayed]