Evaluation of specific and non-specific effects in homeopathy: feasibility study for a randomised trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility, in terms of acceptability to patients, physicians and other staff; data return and statistical power of a study to elucidate the relative contributions of specific and non-specific effects in homeopathic treatment of dermatitis.


METHODS
Randomised, controlled 4-arm trial, 2 arms double-blind.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic, Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital.


METHODS
Seventy-five adult patients with dermatitis.


METHODS
Patients were randomly allocated to: 'fast track' open verum homeopathy, 'fast track' double-blind verum homeopathy, 'fast track' double-blind placebo homeopathy or waiting list control.


METHODS
One hundred millimeter visual analogue scale of overall symptom severity; 10 point digital scores of sleep, itching, skin condition; weekly 5-point Likert scale of topical steroid use; Dermatology Life Quality Index at entry and completion.


RESULTS
Recruitment was below target, but the study was acceptable to staff and feasible. Blinded patients were more likely to withdraw (P=0.021, chi2 test). After correction for baseline differences and multiple comparisons, no outcome measure showed statistically significant between group differences. Blindness appeared to have a negative effect, but this was confounded by differential withdrawal.


CONCLUSIONS
A definitive trial of this design is unlikely to discriminate the relative contributions of the non-specific and specific effects to the outcome of homeopathic treatment of dermatitis, because of patient preference issues.
Fisher
Peter
P
Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, London, UK. peter.fisher@uclh.nhs.uk
McCarney
Rob
R
Hasford
Christian
C
Vickers
Andrew
A
D000328:Adult; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008419:Materia Medica