The research evidence base for homeopathy: a fresh assessment of the literature

Homeopathy ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 92 (02) ◽  
pp. 84-91
Author(s):  
RT Mathie
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Weight Of Evidence ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Double Blind

Abstract Background. The claims made for the clinical effects of homeopathy are controversial. The results of several meta-analyses of clinical trials are positive, but they fail in general to highlight specific medical conditions that respond well to homeopathy. Aims. This review examines the cumulative research from randomised and/or double-blind clinical trials (RCTs) in homeopathy for individual medical conditions reported since 1975, and asks the question: What is the weight of the original evidence from published RCTs that homeopathy has an effect that is statistically significantly different from that in a comparative group? Method. Analysis of the 93 substantive RCTs that compare homeopathy either with placebo or another treatment. Results. 50 papers report a significant benefit of homeopathy in at least one clinical outcome measure, 41 that fail to discern any inter-group differences, and two that describe an inferior response with homeopathy. Considering the relative number of research articles on the 35 different medical conditions in which such research has been carried out, the weight of evidence currently favours a positive treatment effect in eight: childhood diarrhoea, fibrositis, hayfever, influenza, pain (miscellaneous), side-effects of radio- or chemotherapy, sprains and upper respiratory tract infection. Based on published research to date, it seems unlikely that homeopathy is efficacious for headache, stroke or warts. Insufficient research prevents conclusions from being drawn about any other medical conditions. Conclusions. The available research evidence emphasises the need for much more and better-directed research in homeopathy. A fresh agenda of enquiry should consider beyond (but include) the placebo-controlled trial. Each study should adopt research methods and outcome measurements linked to a question addressing the clinical significance of homeopathy's effects.

Su.106. Clinical Effects of Intraarticular Injection of Polymerized-Type I Collagen: a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

2006 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. S196
Author(s):  
Janette Furuzawa-Carballeda ◽  
Andres Agualimpia-Janning ◽  
Olga Munoz-Chable ◽  
Salvador Macias-Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Type I Collagen ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intraarticular Injection ◽  
Type I ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Double Blind

scholarly journals Multi-Strain Probiotic Supplementation with a Product Containing Human-Native S. salivarius K12 in Healthy Adults Increases Oral S. salivarius

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4392
Author(s):  
Karina Cernioglo ◽  
Karen M. Kalanetra ◽  
Anna Meier ◽  
Zachery T. Lewis ◽  
Mark A. Underwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Oral Microbiome ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
16S Rrna Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Supplementation Period ◽  
Tract Infections

Streptococcus salivarius (S. salivarius) K12 supplementation has been found to reduce the risk of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. Yet, studies have not reported the effect of supplementation on oral S. salivarius K12 levels or the salivary microbiome. This clinical trial was designed to determine how supplementation with S. salivarius K12 influences the oral microbiome. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 13 healthy adults received a probiotic powder (PRO) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and S. salivarius K12 and 12 healthy adults received a placebo-control powder (CON) (n = 12) for 14 consecutive days. Oral S. salivarius K12 and total bacteria were quantified by qPCR and the overall oral microbiome was measured using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Supplementation significantly increased mean salivary S. salivarius K12 levels by 5 logs compared to baseline for the PRO group (p < 0.0005), which returned to baseline 2 weeks post-supplementation. Compared with the CON group, salivary S. salivarius K12 was 5 logs higher in the PRO group at the end of the supplementation period (p < 0.001). Neither time nor supplementation influenced the overall oral microbiome. Supplementation with a probiotic cocktail containing S. salivarius K12 for two weeks significantly increased levels of salivary S. salivarius K12.

A review on Remdesivir: A broad-spectrum antiviral molecule for possible COVID-19 treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jabeena Khazir ◽  
Tariq Maqbool ◽  
Bilal Ahmad Mir
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Viral Agent ◽  
Double Blind

: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus strain and the causative agent of COVID-19 was identified to have emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 [1]. This pandemic situation and magnitude of suffering has led to global effort to find out effective measures for discovery of new specific drugs and vaccines to combat this deadly disease. In addition to many initiatives to develop vaccines for protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2, some of which are at various stages of clinical trials researchers worldwide are currently using available conventional therapeutic drugs with potential to combat the disease effectively in other viral infections and it is believed that these antiviral drugs could act as a promising immediate alternative. Remdesivir (RDV), a broad-spectrum anti-viral agent, initially developed for the treatment of Ebola virus (EBOV) and known to show promising efficiency in in vitro and in vivo studies against SARS and MERS coronaviruses, is now being investigated against SARS-CoV-2. On May 1, 2020, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for RDV to treat COVID-19 patients [2]. A number of multicentre clinical trials are on-going to check the safety and efficacy of RDV for the treatment of COVID-19. Results of published double blind, and placebo-controlled trial on RDV against SARS-CoV-2, showed that RDV administration led to faster clinical improvement in severe COVID-19 patients compared to placebo. This review highlights the available knowledge about RDV as a therapeutic drug for coronaviruses and its preclinical and clinical trials against COVID-19.

scholarly journals Cannabis is associated with clinical but not endoscopic remission in ulcerative colitis: A randomized controlled trial

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246871
Author(s):  
Timna Naftali ◽  
Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider ◽  
Fabiana Scklerovsky Benjaminov ◽  
Fred Meir Konikoff ◽  
Shelly Tartakover Matalon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Endoscopic Score

Background Cannabis is often used by patients with ulcerative colitis, but controlled studies are few. We aimed to assess the effect of cannabis in improving clinical and inflammatory outcomes in ulcerative colitis patients. Methods In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, patients received either cigarettes containing 0.5 g of dried cannabis flowers with80mgTetrahydrocannabinol (THC)or placebo cigarettes for 8 weeks. Parameters of disease including Lichtiger disease activity index, C reactive protein (CRP), calprotectin, Mayo endoscopic score and quality of life (QOL) were assessed before, during and after treatment. Results The study included 32 patients. Mean age was 30 years, 14 (43%) females. Lichtiger index improved in the cannabis group from 10.9 (IQR 9–14) to5 (IQR 1–7), (p<0.000), and in the placebo group from 11 (IQR 9–13) to 8 (IQR 7–10)(p = 0.15, p between groups 0.001). QOL improved in the cannabis group from 77±4 to 98±20 (p = 0.000) but not in the placebo group (78±3 at week 0 and 78±17 at week 8;p = 0.459; p between groups 0.007). Mayo endoscopic score changed in the cannabis group from 2.13±1 to 1.25±2 (p = 0.015) and in the placebo group from 2.15±1to 1.69±1 (p = 0.367, p between groups 0.17). Conclusion Short term treatment with THC rich cannabis induced clinical remission and improved quality of life in patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. However, these beneficial clinical effects were not associated with significant anti-inflammatory improvement in the Mayo endoscopic score or laboratory markers for inflammation.(clinicaltrials.gov NCT01040910).

scholarly journals Probiotics with vitamin C for the prevention of upper respiratory tract symptoms in children aged 3-10 years: randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
I. Garaiova ◽  
Z. Paduchová ◽  
Z. Nagyová ◽  
D. Wang ◽  
D.R. Michael ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Bifidobacterium Bifidum ◽  
Active Group ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
The Impact

In a double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study, healthy school children aged 3-10 years received a probiotic based supplement daily for 6 months to assess the impact on the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. The intervention comprised Lab4 probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL21 and CUL60, Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CUL34) at 12.5 billion cfu/day plus 50 mg vitamin C or a matching placebo. 171 children were included in the analysis (85 in placebo and 86 in active group). Incidence of coughing was 16% (P=0.0300) significantly lower in the children receiving the active intervention compared to the placebo. No significant differences in the incidence rate of other URTI symptoms were observed. There was significantly lower risk of experiencing five different URTI related symptoms in one day favouring the active group (Risk ratio: 0.31, 95% confidence interval: 0.12, 0.81, P=0.0163). Absenteeism from school and the use of antibiotics was also significantly reduced for those in the active group (-16%, P=0.0060 and -27%, P=0.0203, respectively). Our findings indicate that six months daily supplementation with the Lab4 probiotic and vitamin C combination reduces the incidence of coughing, absenteeism and antibiotic usage in 3 to 10 year old children.

scholarly journals Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial With N-acetylcysteine for Treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Cesar Garcia de Alencar ◽  
Claudia de Lucena Moreira ◽  
Alicia Dudy Müller ◽  
Cleuber Esteves Chaves ◽  
Marina Akemi Fukuhara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Secondary Endpoints ◽  
High Doses

Abstract Background A local increase in angiotensin 2 after inactivation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may induce a redox imbalance in alveolar epithelium cells, causing apoptosis, increased inflammation and, consequently, impaired gas exchange. We hypothesized that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration could restore this redox homeostasis and suppress unfavorable evolution in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-center trial conducted at the Emergency Department of Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, Brazil, to determine whether NAC in high doses can avoid respiratory failure in patients with COVID-19. We enrolled 135 patients with severe COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected), with an oxyhemoglobin saturation &lt;94% or respiratory rate &gt;24 breaths/minute. Patients were randomized to receive NAC 21 g (~300 mg/kg) for 20 hours or dextrose 5%. The primary endpoint was the need for mechanical ventilation. Secondary endpoints were time of mechanical ventilation, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), time in ICU, and mortality. Results Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups, with no significant differences in age, sex, comorbidities, medicines taken, and disease severity. Also, groups were similar in laboratory tests and chest computed tomography scan findings. Sixteen patients (23.9%) in the placebo group received endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, compared with 14 patients (20.6%) in the NAC group (P = .675). No difference was observed in secondary endpoints. Conclusions Administration of NAC in high doses did not affect the evolution of severe COVID-19. Clinical Trials Registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC): U1111-1250-356 (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8969zg/).

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: TONSILS AND ADENOIDS—A PROBLEM REVISITED

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1968 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 815-817
Author(s):  
Robert J. Haggerty
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Random Assignment ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Worth Reading ◽  
Over 40 Years ◽  
The Ideal

Anyone who is sure of the indications for removing tonsils and adenoids is surely naive and anyone who attempts to write about it impolitic, for little in medicine elicits more strong or divergent opinions. Living in Rochester, New York, where Dr. Albert Kaiser carried out his courageous community studies1 over 40 years ago may give me some license to write about the problem but should also keep one humble for even here, its hometown, the study is little known. In the early 1920's Kaiser was able to organize a community-wide program which accomplished the incredible job of removing tonsils and adenoids from 10,000 of the then 50,000 children in Rochester in a 5-month period. The major follow-up data2 were on 5,000 of these children who had the operation and were able to be followed for 10 years after operation. Comparison was made between a subsample of 2,200 of these and a like number who had been recommended for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy but never had had the operation. While there are many defects in this study compared to the ideal controlled trial, it would comfort Dr. Kaiser to know that no other study since has been able to do much better, since clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of an operation can rarely be controlled in the sense of random assignment of patients and practically never double blind (this would require sham operations). It is worth reading Kaiser's works again for, though widely touted as a condemnation of the procedure, they are in fact no such thing.

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