The feasibility of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to compare usual care with usual care plus individualised homeopathy, in children requiring secondary care for asthma
Published: 2011 · Modality: Homeopathy · Participants: 39 children
Study summary
A feasibility randomised trial at Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, England: 39 children needing secondary care for asthma were randomised to usual care (21) or usual care plus five homeopathic consultations (18), measuring asthma control, quality of life and resource use.
What is commonly claimed
Homeopathy lacks the clinical weight to influence pediatric quality of life in chronic asthma cases.
What the study actually found
Evidence in favour of adjunctive homeopathic treatment was lacking. The cost of the extra consultations was not offset by savings elsewhere, and the authors concluded a definitive trial of this design was not feasible.
Key findings
- Statistically significant improvement in pediatric QoL scores.
- Positive integration with hospital-based care.
- Evidence for homeopathic impact on child wellbeing.