HOMEOPATHIC VERSUS PLACEBO THERAPY OF CHILDREN WITH WARTS ON THE HANDS - A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND CLINICAL-TRIAL

Background: Despite the wide practical application of homoeopathy, sci entific proof of its effectiveness and mechanisms is still lacking, an d sound, placebo-controlled studies are scarce. Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathy in a prospec tive, double-blind randomized trial. Methods: 60 children aged 6-12 ye ars with common warts on the back of the hands were treated either wit h an individually selected homoeopathic preparation (n=30) of at least a 1:1,012 dilution or with pure placebo in the form of saccharose glo buli (n=30) under double-blind conditions. The area occupied by warts was measured by computerized planimetry before and after 8 weeks of tr eatment. Reduction of the warty area hy at least 50% was considered a response. Results: There were a total of 16 responders: 9 of 30 patien ts in the homoeopathic therapy group and 7 of 30 patients in the place bo group (chi(2)=0.34, p=0.56). Total cure of warts occurred in 5 pati ents in the treated group and in 1 patient in the placebo group (chi(2 )=1.46, p=0.22). Conclusion: There was no apparent difference between the effects of homoeopathic therapy and placebo in children with commo n warts under the conditions of this of study.