August 19, 2004- Adding homeopathic treatment to conventional medical treatment would not improve the quality of life of children with asthma, according to a study published by the British journal Thorax1.
This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was carried out over a period of one and a half years with the collaboration of five general practice clinics in the United Kingdom. The 93 children in the study had mild to moderate asthma and were being treated with medication (beta agonists or inhaled corticosteroids). aged 5 to 15, they were randomly divided into two groups. In one group, a homeopathic treatment was added to the medical treatment in order to be able to compare the effects with those of the placebo administered to the patients of the second group.
Participants in the first group had up to six consultations with one of the three certified and experienced homeopaths participating in the study. They could prescribe homeopathic medicines and give advice on use.
Using questionnaires, the researchers measured the patients’ quality of active life at the start and end of the study. We wanted to know if the homeopathic treatment had an impact on the number of missed school days, the number of attacks and any other discomfort related to asthma in general. The study authors observed no change in quality of life in the group treated with homeopathy compared to the group receiving placebo.
In an article published in Medical news2, Dr Isabelle Marc points out that homeopathy is a controversial therapy. According to existing medical literature, she notes that no study has so far demonstrated the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment on asthma symptoms.
Since the 1960s, asthma has been a steadily increasing disease in industrialized countries. According to the Canadian Lung Association, 7% to 10% of children in the country have asthma. It is the most common chronic respiratory disease in children. It is responsible for a quarter of school absenteeism.
Marie france Coutu – PasseportSanté.net
According to Medical news.
1. White A Slade P, Hunt C, Ersnt E, Individualized homeopathy as an adjunct in the treatment of childhood asthma: a randomized placebo controlled trial, Thorax, April 2003, 58, 317-321.
2. Marc I, Homeopathic remedies and asthma in children: no effect on quality of life, Medical news, June 23, 2004, 25.