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    Efficacy of homeopathic arnica: a systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical trials.

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND

    The efficacy of homeopathic remedies has remained controversial. The homeopathic remedy most frequently studied in placebo-controlled clinical trials is Arnica montana.

    OBJECTIVE

    To systematically review the clinical efficacy of homeopathic arnica.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    Computerized literature searches were performed to retrieve all placebo-controlled studies on the subject. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CISCOM, and the Cochrane Library. Data were extracted in a predefined, standardized fashion independently by both authors. There were no restrictions on the language of publications.

    RESULTS

    Eight trials fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Most related to conditions associated with tissue trauma. Most of these studies were burdened with severe methodological flaws. On balance, they do not suggest that homeopathic arnica is more efficacious than placebo.

    CONCLUSION

    The claim that homeopathic arnica is efficacious beyond a placebo effect is not supported by rigorous clinical trials.

    Links

  • Publisher Full Text

    • Grapherence [↓18]

    Authors+Show Affiliations

    Ernst E
    ,

    Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, England, United Kingdom. E.Ernst@exeter.ac.uk

    Pittler MH

    Source

    MeSH

    Arnica
    Bias
    Clinical Trials as Topic
    Homeopathy
    Humans
    Phytotherapy
    Plants, Medicinal
    Reproducibility of Results
    Research Design
    Treatment Outcome
    Wounds and Injuries

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article
    Review
    Systematic Review

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    9820349

    Citation

    * When formatting your citation, note that all book, journal, and database titles should be italicized* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
    TY - JOUR T1 - Efficacy of homeopathic arnica: a systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical trials. AU - Ernst,E, AU - Pittler,M H, PY - 1998/11/20/pubmed PY - 1998/11/20/medline PY - 1998/11/20/entrez SP - 1187 EP - 90 JF - Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) JO - Arch Surg VL - 133 IS - 11 N2 - BACKGROUND: The efficacy of homeopathic remedies has remained controversial. The homeopathic remedy most frequently studied in placebo-controlled clinical trials is Arnica montana. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the clinical efficacy of homeopathic arnica. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computerized literature searches were performed to retrieve all placebo-controlled studies on the subject. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CISCOM, and the Cochrane Library. Data were extracted in a predefined, standardized fashion independently by both authors. There were no restrictions on the language of publications. RESULTS: Eight trials fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Most related to conditions associated with tissue trauma. Most of these studies were burdened with severe methodological flaws. On balance, they do not suggest that homeopathic arnica is more efficacious than placebo. CONCLUSION: The claim that homeopathic arnica is efficacious beyond a placebo effect is not supported by rigorous clinical trials. SN - 0004-0010 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/9820349/Efficacy_of_homeopathic_arnica:_a_systematic_review_of_placebo_controlled_clinical_trials_ L2 - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/vol/133/pg/1187 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -