Efficacy of Homeopathic Arnica
1998; American Medical Association; Volume: 133; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1001/archsurg.133.11.1187
ISSN1538-3644
Autores Tópico(s)Pain Management and Placebo Effect
ResumoBackground The efficacy of homeopathic remedies has remained controversial. The homeopathic remedy most frequently studied in placebo-controlled clinical trials is Arnica montana. Objective To systematically review the clinical efficacy of homeopathic arnica. Materials and Methods Computerized literature searches were performed to retrieve all placebo-controlled studies on the subject. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CISCOM, and the Cochrane Library. Data were extracted in a predefined, standardized fashion independently by both authors. There were no restrictions on the language of publications. Results Eight trials fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Most related to conditions associated with tissue trauma. Most of these studies were burdened with severe methodological flaws. On balance, they do not suggest that homeopathic arnica is more efficacious than placebo. Conclusion The claim that homeopathic arnica is efficacious beyond a placebo effect is not supported by rigorous clinical trials.
Referência(s)