Ultramolecular homeopathy has no observable clinical effects. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proving trial of Belladonna 30C

Aims: to investigate if ultramolecular homeopathy has any clinical effects. This was assessed using the proving of the homeopathic remedy Belladonna given at an ultramolecular dose (30C), as a model. A proving states that when a homeopathic remedy is given to a healthy person, they will experience symptomatic effects specific to that remedy. If ultramolecular doses are clinically active, the Belladonna 30C group should experience more true Belladonna proving symptoms than the placebo group.

Methods: healthy subjects (n = 253), aged 18–30 years, took part in this double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study. Total study duration was 4 weeks. Subjects were randomized before 1 week placebo run-in. They received 2 weeks of treatment intervention (Belladonna 30C or placebo) and were followed up for 1 week. Subjects recorded any symptoms experienced during the total study period on a daily basis using a structured questionnaire. Symptom diaries were analysed blind to determine if each subject had proved or not (based on predefined criteria). The main outcome was the proportion of subjects who had proved in each treatment group.

Results: no significant group differences in proving rates were observed [Belladonna provers N = 14 (13.9%); placebo provers N = 15 (14.3%); mean difference − 0.4%, 95% confidence interval − 9.3, 10.1] based on intention to treat analysis. Primary outcome was not affected by seasonality or the individual's attitude to complementary medicine.

Conclusion: ultramolecular homeopathy had no observable clinical effects.

female, adolescent, non-u.s.gov't, therapeutic use, research support, male, atropa belladonna, hay fever, aged, homeopathy, clinical-trial, adult, pilot projects, double-blind method, analysis, attitude, humans, research, treatment, methods, double-blind, therapy, materia medica

10.1046/j.1365-2125.2003.01900.x

0007-1188

562-568

Brien, Sarah

4e8e97cd-7bc3-4efd-857e-20790040b80f

Lewith, George

0fc483fa-f17b-47c5-94d9-5c15e65a7625

Bryant, Trevor

0b33acf2-e052-4d9f-9d44-7f1d8a656374

2003

Brien, Sarah

4e8e97cd-7bc3-4efd-857e-20790040b80f

Lewith, George

0fc483fa-f17b-47c5-94d9-5c15e65a7625

Bryant, Trevor

0b33acf2-e052-4d9f-9d44-7f1d8a656374

Brien, Sarah, Lewith, George and Bryant, Trevor (2003) Ultramolecular homeopathy has no observable clinical effects. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proving trial of Belladonna 30C. British Journal of Pharmacology, 56 (5), 562-568. (doi:10.1046/j.1365-2125.2003.01900.x).

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Published date: 2003

Additional Information: A correction has been attached to this output located at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2004.02039.x and https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2004.02039.x

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Keywords: female, adolescent, non-u.s.gov't, therapeutic use, research support, male, atropa belladonna, hay fever, aged, homeopathy, clinical-trial, adult, pilot projects, double-blind method, analysis, attitude, humans, research, treatment, methods, double-blind, therapy, materia medica