Homeopathic aggravations: a systematic review of randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials

Abstract

Homeopathic aggravations have often been described anecdotally. However, few attempts have been made to scientifically verify their existence. This systematic review aimed at comparing the frequency of homeopathic aggravations in the placebo and verum groups of double-blind, randomised clinical trials. Eight independent literature searches were carried out to identify all such trials mentioning either adverse effects or aggravations. All studies thus found were validated and data were extracted by both authors. Twenty-four trials could be included. The average number of aggravations was low. In total, 50 aggravations were attributed to patients treated with placebo and 63 to patients treated with homoeopathically diluted remedies. We conclude that this systematic review does not provide clear evidence that the phenomenon of homeopathic aggravations exists.

Keywords

homeopathy - aggravations - clinical trials - adverse effects

Publication History

Received: 16 September 2002

Accepted: 06 January 2003

Article published online:
16 September 2021

• References

• 1 Swayne J. International Dictionary of Homeopathy . . Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002, p. 212.
• 2 Pschyrembel. Worterbuch Naturheilkunde . Berlin: De Gruyter, 2000, p 107.
• 3 Popova T. Homoeopathic aggravations. Br Hom J 1991; 80: 228-229
• 4 Anelli M, Scheepers L, Sermeus G. van Wassenhoven M. Homeopathy and health related quality of life: a survey in six European countries. Homeopathy 2002; 91: 18-21
• 5 Bellaviste P, Signorini A. Homeopathy. A Frontier in Medical Science . Berkeley, US: North Atlantic Books; 1995
• 6 Cook TM. Homeopathic Medicine Today . New Canaan, US: Keats Publishing; 1989. , p 33.
• 7 Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G. et al. Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet 1997; 350: 834-843
• 8 Jadad AR, Moore RA, Carrol D. et al. Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials’is blinding necessary?. Contr Clin Trials 1996; 17: 1-12
• 9 Aabel S. No beneficial effect of isopathic prophylactic treatment for birch pollen allergy during a low-pollen season: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of homeopathic Betula 30c. Br Homeopath J 2000; 89: 169-173
• 10 Aabel S, Laerum E, Dolvik S, Djupesland P. Is homeopathic ‘immunotherapy’ effective? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with the isopathic remedy Betula 30c for patients with birch pollen allergy. Br Homeopath J 2000; 89: 161-168
• 11 Andrade LE, Ferraz MB, Atra E, Castro A, Silva MS. A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of homeopathy in rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 1991; 20: 204-208
• 12 Attena F, Toscano G, Agozzino E, Del Giudice N. A randomized trial in the prevention of influenza-like syndromes by homeopathic management. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 1995; 43: 380-382
• 13 Balzarini A, Felisi E, Martini A, De Conno F. Efficacy of homeopathic treatment of skin reactions during radiotherapy for breast cancer: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial. Br Homeopath J 2000; 89: 8-12
• 14 Bohmer D, Ambrus P. Behandlung von Sportverletzungen mit Traumeel-Salbe-kontrollierte Doppelblindstudie. Biol Medizin 1992; 21: 260-268
• 15 Bourgeois JC. Protection du capital veineux chez les perfusées au long cours dans le cancer du sein. Essai clinique en double aveugle: Arnica contre placébo (Dissertation) Bobigny: Université Paris Nord 1984 (unpublished), 1984
• 16 Cialdella P. Homeopathic specialties as substitutes for benzodiazepines: double-blind versus placebo study. Therapie 2001; 56: 397-402
• 17 Dorfman P, Lasserre MN, Tétau M. Préparation à l'accouchement par homépathie ’ expérimentation en double insu versus placebo. Cahiers de Biothérapie 1987; 94: 77-81
• 18 Dorfman P, Amodéo C, Ricciotti F, Tétau M, Véroux G. Iléus post-opératoire et homéopathie: bilan d'une évaluation clinique. Cahiers de Biothérapie 1992; 114: 33-39
• 19 Hart O, Mullee MA, Lewith G, Miller J. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of homoeopathic arnica C30 for pain and infection after total abdominal hysterectomy. J Roy Soc Med 1997; 90: 73-78
• 20 Rahlfs VW, Mossinger P. Treatment of irritable colon. A multicenter, placebo-controlled double-blind study in general practice. Arzneimittelforschung 1976; 26: 2230-2234
• 21 Reilly DT, Taylor MA, McSharry C, Aitchinson T. Is homeopathy a placebo response? Controlled trial of homeopathic potency, with pollen in hayfever as model. Lancet 1986; ii: 881-885
• 22 Reilly D, Taylor MA, Beattie NGM. et al. Is evidence for homoeopathy reproducible?. Lancet 1994; 344: 1601-1606
• 23 Shipley M, Berry H, Broster G, Jenkins M, Clover A, Williams I. Controlled trial of homoeopathic treatment of osteoarthritis. Lancet 1983; 1: 97-98
• 24 Simpson JJ, Donaldson I, Davies WE. Use of homeopathy in the treatment of tinnitus. Br J Audiol 1998; 32: 227-233
• 25 Smith SA, Baker AE, Williams JH. Effective treatment of seborrheic dermatitis using a low dose, oral homeopathic medication consisting of potassium bromide, sodium bromide, nickel sulfate, and sodium chloride in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Altern Med Rev 2002; 7: 59-67
• 26 Smolle J, Prause G, Kerl H. A double-blind, controlled clinical trial of homeopathy and an analysis of lunar phases and postoperative outcome. Arch Dermatol 1998; 134: 1368-1370
• 27 Straumsheim PA, Borchgrevink C, Mowinckel P, Kierulf H, Hafslund Ø. Homoeopathic treatment of migraine: a double-blind placebo controlled trial of 68 patients. Br Homeopath J 1997; 89: 4-7
• 28 Taylor MA, Reilly D, Llewellyn-Jones RH, McSharry C, Aitchison TC. Randomised controlled trial of homoeopathy versus placebo in perennial allergic rhinitis with overview of four trial series. BMJ 2000; 321: 471-476
• 29 Weiser M, Clasen BP. Randomisierte plazebokontrollierte Doppelblindstudie zur Untersuchung der klinischen Wirksamkeit der homopathischen Euphorbium compositum-Nasen-Tropfen S bei chronischer Sinusitis. Forsch Komplementarmed 1994; 1: 251-259
• 30 White AR. Homoeopathy for childhood asthma. In submission, 2002
• 31 Whitmarsh TE, Coleston-Shields DM, Steiner TJ. Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of homoeopathic prophylaxis of migraine. Cephalalgia 1997; 17: 600-604
• 32 Wiesenauer M, Haussler S, Gaus W. Pollinosis-Therapie mit Galphimia glauca. Fortschr Med 1983; 101: 811-814
• 33 Wiesenauer M, Gaus W. Wirksamkeitsnachweis eines Homeopathikums bei chronischer Polyarthritis. Eine randomisierte Doppelblindstudie bei niedergelassenen. Erzten Akt Rheumatol 1991; 16: 1-9
• 34 Kirby B. Safety of homeopathic products. J Roy Soc Med 2002; 95: 221-222
• 35 Dantas F, Rampes H. Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. Br Hom J 2000; 89: S35-S38