April 3, 2003 – Homeopathy shows no efficacy in the treatment of asthma, concludes a British study.
Ninety-three children aged five to 15 with mild to moderate asthma took part in this study. In addition to continuing to receive their usual treatment, all participants saw a qualified homeopath six times over a period of one year. Half of them received formal treatment and the other half received a placebo.
The study reveals that the patients who received the homeopathic treatments did not derive any benefit from it: their symptoms were no less frequent, they did not need their inhaler less and they did not miss less. of school days. At most, the severity of their symptoms will have been a little less, even if the researchers say that the difference is “insignificant”.
Despite these results, researchers now believe that more studies should look into the usefulness of homeopathy for people with severe asthma.
The researchers finally affirm that the homeopaths who participated in the study were able to apply their treatments as they saw fit, without any constraints, which would be a first.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
See the reaction of the Professional Union of Homeopaths of Quebec to this news.
According to BBC News, ReutersHealth and WebMD, April 2-3, 2003.
1. White A, Slade P, Hunt C, Hart A, Ernst E. Individualized homeopathy as an adjunct in the treatment of childhood asthma: a randomized placebo controlled trial. Thorax 2003 Apr; 58 (4): 317-321. [Consulté le 3 avril 2003].