Homoeopathic versus placebo therapy of children with warts on the hands: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Despite the wide practical application of homoeopathy, scientific proof of its effectiveness and mechanisms is still lacking, and sound, placebo-controlled studies are scarce.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathy in a prospective, double-blind randomized trial.


METHODS
60 children aged 6-12 years with common warts on the back of the hands were treated either with an individually selected homoeopathic preparation (n = 30) of at least a 1:1,012 dilution or with pure placebo in the form of saccharose globuli (n = 30) under double-blind conditions. The area occupied by warts was measured by computerized planimetry before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Reduction of the warty area by at least 50% was considered a response.


RESULTS
There were a total of 16 responders: 9 of 30 patients in the homoeopathic therapy group and 7 of 30 patients in the placebo group (chi 2 = 0.34, p = 0.56). Total cure of warts occurred in 5 patients in the treated group and in 1 patient in the placebo group (chi 2 = 1.46, p = 0.22).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no apparent difference between the effects of homoeopathic therapy and placebo in children with common warts under the conditions of this study.
Kainz
J T
JT
Department of Dermatology, University of Graz, Austria.
Kozel
G
G
Haidvogl
M
M
Smolle
J
J
D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology