Consult has more effect than remedy

HOMEOPATHIC consultation significantly improved swollen joints and pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but homeopathic medicines had no benefit, a trial has shown.

UK researchers said they separated the clinical effect of consultation from the touted benefit of homeopathic remedies in a five-arm double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in patients who remained on  disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

Among 56 participants completing treatment, there was no clear effect from individualised homeopathy, a fixed mixture, or placebo. However, receiving a homeopathic consultation significantly improved swollen joints and pain, compared with no consultation.

“Given the magnitude of these effects and the lack of reported side-effects, the impact of the homeopathic consultation is of clinical relevance to patients and clinicians alike,” the researchers said.

But complementary medicines expert Professor Edzard