Model validity of randomised placebo-controlled trials of individualised homeopathic treatment

Robert T Mathie; Michel Van Wassenhoven; Jennifer Jacobs; Menachem Oberbaum; Helmut Roniger; Joyce Frye; Raj K Manchanda; Laurence Terzan; Gilles Chaufferin; Flávio Dantas; Peter Fisher

doi:10.1016/j.homp.2015.02.004

Homeopathy, Table of Contents

Homeopathy 2015; 104(03): 164-169
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2015.02.004

Original Paper

Model validity of randomised placebo-controlled trials of individualised homeopathic treatment

Authors

Robert T Mathie

¹British Homeopathic Association, Hahnemann House, 29 Park Street West, Luton LU1 3BE, UK
Michel Van Wassenhoven

²Belgian Homeopathic Medicines Registration Commission, FAMHP, Rue Taille Madame 23, B-1450 Chastre, Belgium
Jennifer Jacobs

³School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Menachem Oberbaum

⁴Center for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
Helmut Roniger

⁵Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, 60 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HR, UK
Joyce Frye

⁶Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Raj K Manchanda

⁷Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi 110058, India
Laurence Terzan

⁸Boiron, 20 Rue de la Liberation, 69110 Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon, France
Gilles Chaufferin

⁸Boiron, 20 Rue de la Liberation, 69110 Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon, France
Flávio Dantas

⁹Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
Peter Fisher

⁵Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, 60 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HR, UK

Abstract

Background: Though potentially an important limitation in the literature of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of homeopathy, the model validity of homeopathic treatment (MVHT) has not previously been systematically investigated.

Objective: As an integral part of a programme of systematic reviews, to assess MVHT of eligible RCTs of individualised homeopathic treatment.

Methods: From 46 previously identified papers in the category, 31 papers (reporting a total of 32 RCTs) were eligible for systematic review and were thus the subject of the study. For each of six domains of assessment per trial, MVHT was judged independently by three randomly allocated assessors from our group, who reached a final verdict by consensus discussion as necessary.

Results: Nineteen trials were judged overall as ‘acceptable’ MVHT, nine as ‘uncertain’ MVHT, and four as ‘inadequate’ MVHT.

Conclusions: These results do not support concern that deficient MVHT has frequently undermined the published findings of RCTs of individualised homeopathy. However, the 13 trials with ‘uncertain’ or ‘inadequate’ MVHT will be a focus of attention in supplementary meta-analysis. New RCTs of individualised homeopathy must aim to maximise MVHT and to enable its assessment through clear reporting.

Keywords

Individualised homeopathy - Model validity - Randomised controlled trial - Systematic review

Full Text

References

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