[On the effectiveness of the homeopathic remedy Arnica montana].
BACKGROUND
Arnica montana is a homeopathic remedy often prescribed after traumata and injuries.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether Arnica is effective beyond placebo and to identify factors which support or contradict this effectiveness.


METHODS
All prospective, controlled trials on the effectiveness of homeopathic Arnica were included. Overall effectiveness was assessed by meta-analysis and meta-regression techniques.


RESULTS
68 comparisons from 49 clinical trials show a significant effectiveness of Arnica in traumatic injuries in random effects meta-analysis (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.55), but not in meta-regression models (OR, 0.37; CI, 0.11-1.24). We found no evidence for publication bias. Studies from Medline-listed journals and high-quality studies are less likely to report positive results (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0167).


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis that homeopathic Arnica is effective could neither be proved nor rejected. All trials were highly heterogeneous, meta-regression does not help to explain this heterogeneity substantially.
Lüdtke
Rainer
R
Karl und Veronica Carstens-Stiftung, Essen, Germany. r.luedtke@carstens-stiftung.de
Hacke
Daniela
D
D018650:Arnica; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D008419:Materia Medica; D010936:Plant Extracts