Links to scientific studies of homeopathy

David Lubkin (lubkin@unreasonable.com)
Wed, 04 Aug 1999 20:32:39 -0400

Here are a few pointers to scientific examination of homeopathy.

>From http://www.homeopathic.org/meta.htm :

K. Linde, N. Clausius, G. Ramirez, et al., "Are the Clinical Effects of Homeopathy Placebo Effects? A Meta-analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials" Lancet, September 20, 1997, 350:834-843.

This state of the art meta analysis reviewed 186 studies, 89 of which fit pre-defined criteria. Rather than count and compare the number of trials which show efficacy of treatment, the researchers pooled the data from the various studies to assess data. The results showed that patients taking homeopathic medicines were 2.45 times more likely to experience a positive therapeutic effect than placebo.

J. Kleijnen, P. Knipschild, G. ter Riet, "Clinical Trials of Homeopathy" British Medical Journal, February 9, 1991, 302:316-323.

This is the most widely cited meta-analysis of clinical research prior to 1991. This meta-analysis reviewed 107 studies of homeopathic medicines, 81 of which (or 77%) showed positive effect. Of the best 22 studies, 15 showed efficacy. The researchers concluded: "The evidence presented in this review would probably be sufficient for establishing homeopathy as a regular treatment for certain indications." Further, "The amount of positive evidence even among the best studies came as a surprise to us."

On the net:

The National Center for Homeopathy
http://www.homeopathic.org/research.html

Scientific Evidence for Homeopathic Medicine http://www.ihr.com/homeopat/research.html

HOMOEOPATHY: HOW DOES IT WORK?
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~daood/paulc.htm

Scientific Explanation of Homoeopathy and More http://www.homoeopathyclinic.com/homoeo/sci_sharma.html

Beyond Substance
http://www.normanallan.com/papers/bs.html

Research in Homoeopathy
http://ra.stsci.edu/bps/studies_homeopathy.html

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