March 6, 2003 – A new study found no difference between homeopathic arnica and a placebo in the treatment of postoperative pain, swelling and bruising.
The results of the study are published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine1. Sixty-four patients who underwent minor hand surgery were recruited and divided into three groups: some received a 30CH dilution of arnica, others a 6CH dilution, and the control group a placebo. All participants had to take three tablets daily for the seven days before surgery and then for the next 14 days.
The researchers do not report any difference between the three groups of patients, in terms of reduction of pain, swelling and bruising. They therefore claim that despite its reputation, arnica has not shown any efficacy in a postoperative context.
The researchers recognize, on the other hand, that nearly a third of the participants did not follow the instructions correctly. They claim, however, that this is not sufficient to explain the identical results obtained by the three groups, since homeopaths usually believe that a single dose of arnica before and after surgery is sufficient.
But their conclusions are not unanimous. The results of the study have been reproduced in the British Medical Journal2, provoking criticism from several readers.
Thus, a Swedish homeopath, Gunnar B. Sjögren, said he was not surprised by the results of the study since, according to him, arnica was misused (in tablets rather than topically) and was not indicated in this context anyway. He explains that arnica is more suitable for treating swelling or bruising caused by a fall or a blunt object.
Unanimity also remains to be achieved within the scientific community. Some studies have found similar results3 about arnica, but others4 instead concluded that further research was required.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to British Medical Journal, February 8, 2003.
1. Stevinson C, Devaraj VS, Fountain-Barber A, Hawkins S, Ernst E. Homeopathic arnica for prevention of pain and bruising: randomized placebo-controlled trial in hand surgery. 2. Mayor, S. Trial shows that homeopathic arnica is no better than placeboBMJ 2003; 326: 303 (8 February). [Consulté le 6 mars 2003].
3. LRamelet AA, Buchheim G, Lorenz P, Imfeld M. Homeopathic Arnica in postoperative haematomas: a double-blind study.Dermatology 2000; 201 (4): 347-8. [Consulté le 6 mars 2003]. JR Soc Med 2003 Feb; 96 (2): 60-5. [Consulté le 6 mars 2003].
4. Jeffrey SL, Belcher HJ. Use of Arnica to relieve pain after carpal-tunnel release surgery.Altern Ther Health Med 2002 Mar-Apr; 8 (2): 66-8 [Consulté le 6 mars 2003].
