Homeopathy not an effective treatment for asthma
4 March 2002
Homeopathic remedies are no better than placebo (a dummy substance given in place of real treatment) for the treatment of people with asthma who are allergic to house dust mite, a study in the 2 March 2002 issue of the British Medical Journal has concluded.
The research team identified 242 people with asthma who were allergic to house dust mite. Participants received either homeopathic therapy or placebo and were assessed over 16 weeks.
The researchers found no differences in improvement in lung function or quality of life between those treated with placebo and those who received homeopathic therapy.
However, there was a different pattern of response within the homeopathy group, characterised by alternating deterioration and improvement, the reasons of which were not known by the researchers. However, the authors stated that, overall, there were no significant differences between the treatments.
They concluded that a homeopathic dose of house dust mite therapy is no better than placebo for the treatment of people with asthma who are house dust mite allergic.
Previous studies have suggested that this type of homeopathy is effective in the treatment of hay fever and possibly asthma. However, this study was substantially larger than any of the earlier studies, said the authors.
Last Reviewed: 04 March 2002
- British Medical Journal 2002; 324: 498-499.
