Homeopathy: evidence of effectiveness lacking
23 April 2010
Compelling evidence is lacking for the efficacy of homeopathy, a leading complementary medicine researcher has concluded (MJA 2010; 192: 458-60).
After evaluating 6 separate Cochrane Reviews on homeopathy, Professor Edzard Ernst, director of complementary medicine at the University of Exetor, UK, found no evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy. (A Cochrane review is compiled by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organisation aimed at helping people make well-informed decisions about health care by undertaking scientific reviews of evidence for certain treatments.)
The reviews covered the effect of homeopathy on dementia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic asthma, prevention of influenza and influenza-like syndromes, side effects of cancer treatments and induction of labour.
Professor Ernst said findings from observational studies that suggested homeopathy was effective were probably due to “non-specific effects of homeopathic treatments, such as the empathic and lengthy consultations typical of homeopathic services”.
Last Reviewed: 23 April 2010
- 1. Ernst E. Homeopathy: what does the 'best' evidence tell us? MJA 2010; 192 (8): 458-460. Available at: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/192_08_190410/ern11179_fm.html
