King D, Hawke K, McGuire TM, van Driel M. Homeopathic Preparations for Preventing and Treating Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Acad Pediatr 2021;
21:211-220. [PMID:
32698039 DOI:
10.1016/j.acap.2020.07.016]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Acute upper respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are common and mostly self-limiting. A range of treatments are used with the aim to cure or treat symptoms, including widespread use of homeopathic treatments.
OBJECTIVE
To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials with the highest level of evidence, to establish the benefits and risks for oral homeopathic remedies used to treat and prevent ARTIs in children.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED, CAMbase, British Homeopathic Library, CENTRAL, WHO ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov registers to March 2018.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS
Double-blinded randomized trials in children, treated with oral homeopathic remedies versus placebo or conventional treatments for ARTI.
APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
Studies were reviewed in duplicate for inclusion, data extraction, and risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed on only 4 outcomes. Other outcomes were reported narratively.
RESULTS
Eight studies (1562 children) were included. Four studies examined treatment and 4 prevention of ARTIs. Four studies involved homeopaths individualizing treatment versus four with non-individualized treatments. Three studies had high risk of bias in at least 1 domain. All studies with low risk of bias showed no benefit from homeopathy; trials at uncertain and high risk of bias reported beneficial effects. Two individualized treatment studies (N = 155) did not show benefit on short-term or long-term cure. Prevention trials showed no significant outcomes: recurrence of ARTIs. No serious events were reported.
LIMITATIONS
Methodological inconsistencies and heterogeneity.
CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness for homeopathic remedies for childhood ARTIs is not supported in higher quality trials.
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