Clinical research in homeopathy: systematic reviews and randomized clinical trials

ABSTRACT

BACHGROUND Systematic reviews and randomized clinical trials (RCT) are considered tohave the highest level of evidence. AIM: To perform a descriptive review of systematic reviews and RCT on the effectiveness and efficacy of homeopathy. METHODS: Data from the report published by Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis (LMHI) in 2014were updated by means on a search conducted in database PubMed. RESULTS: 7systematic reviews with meta-analysis were located, 6 of them concluded that the effects of homeopathy are not compatible with placebo effect; only 1 systematic reviewarrived to the opposite conclusion, but was severely criticized due to methodological flaws. A total of 19 RCT were published along the analyzed period; 84.2% had at leastone positive outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the available evidences of the highest level it is not possible to assert that the effects of homeopathic are exclusively placebo effect. On the opposite, specific effects were detected in several studies.