Homeopathy: what does the "best" evidence tell us?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the evidence for and against the effectiveness of homeopathy.


METHODS
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (generally considered to be the most reliable source of evidence) was searched in January 2010.


METHODS
Cochrane reviews with the term "homeopathy" in the title, abstract or keywords were considered. Protocols of reviews were excluded. Six articles met the inclusion criteria.


METHODS
Each of the six reviews was examined for specific subject matter; number of clinical trials reviewed; total number of patients involved; and authors' conclusions. The reviews covered the following conditions: cancer, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, dementia, influenza and induction of labour.


RESULTS
The findings of the reviews were discussed narratively (the reviews' clinical and statistical heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of currently available Cochrane reviews of studies of homeopathy do not show that homeopathic medicines have effects beyond placebo.
Ernst
Edzard
E
Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom. Edzard.Ernst@pms.ac.uk
D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000628:therapy
D010936:Plant Extracts