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Homeopathy for chronic asthma.
1Centre for Complementary Medicine Research/Department of Gastroenterology, Technichal University, Kaiserstr. 9, Munchen, Germany, 80801. Muenchener.Modell@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 5, 2000
Summary
Homeopathy shows mixed results for chronic stable asthma. More research is needed to understand its effectiveness and varied prescribing methods in asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Homeopathy is a widespread complementary medicine.
- It is used for treating asthma.
- Homeopathic remedies use diluted substances that mimic symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of homeopathy in patients with chronic stable asthma.
- To review randomized controlled trials on homeopathy for asthma.
Main Methods:
- Searched multiple databases including Cochrane Airways Group and complementary medicine registers.
- Included randomized and possibly randomized trials with at least one-week observation.
- Data extraction and quality assessment performed by two reviewers.
Main Results:
- Three placebo-controlled, double-blind trials with 154 participants were included.
- Variable quality trials used different homeopathic treatments, preventing quantitative analysis.
- One trial showed reduced symptom severity; another improved lung function and reduced medication use.
Conclusions:
- Insufficient evidence exists to confirm homeopathy's role in asthma management.
- Further research, including observational studies, is needed to understand homeopathic prescribing and patient responses.