A systematic review of homoeopathy for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Homoeopathy is often advocated for fibromyalgia (FM) and many FM patients use it. To critically evaluate all randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of homoeopathy as a treatment for FM, six electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant studies. Data extraction and the assessment of the methodological quality of all included studies were done by two independent reviewers. Four RCTs were found, including two feasibility studies. Three studies were placebo-controlled. None of the trials was without serious flaws. Invariably, their results suggested that homoeopathy was better than the control interventions in alleviating the symptoms of FM. Independent replications are missing. Even though all RCTs suggested results that favour homoeopathy, important caveats exist. Therefore, the effectiveness of homoeopathy as a symptomatic treatment for FM remains unproven.
Perry
Rachel
R
Department of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4NT, UK. rachel.perry@pms.ac.uk
Terry
Rohini
R
Ernst
Edzard
E
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005571:Formularies, Homeopathic as Topic; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D010919:Placebos; D039781:PubMed; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos