IS EVIDENCE FOR HOMEOPATHT REPRODUCIBLE

We tested, under independent conditions, the reproducibility of eviden ce from two previous trials that homoeopathy differs from placebo. The test model was again homoeopathic immunotherapy. 28 patients with all ergic asthma, most of them sensitive to house-dust mite, were randomly allocated to receive either oral homoeopathic imm;notherapy to their principal allergen or identical placebo. The test treatments were give n as a complement to their unaltered conventional care. A daily visual analogue scale of overall symptom intensity was the outcome measure. A difference in visual analogue score in favour of homoeopathic immuno therapy appeared within one week of starting treatment and persisted f or up to 8 weeks (p=0.003). There were similar trends in respiratory f unction and bronchial reactivity tests. A meta-analysis of all three t rials strengthened the evidence that homoeopathy does more than placeb o (p=0.0004). Is the reproducibility of evidence in favour of homoeopa thy proof of its activity or proof of the clinical trial's capacity to produce false-positive results?