DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, RANDOMIZED CLINICAL-TRIAL OF HOMEOPATHIC ARNICA C30 FOR PAIN AND INFECTION AFTER TOTAL ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY

Homoeopathic potencies of arnica have been used for many years to aid postoperative recovery. The effects of arnica C30 on pain and postoper ative recovery after total abdominal hysterectomy were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Of 93 women entered into t he study, 20 did not complete protocol treatment: nine were excluded b ecause they failed to comply with the protocol, nine had their operati ons cancelled or changed within 24h and two had to be withdrawn becaus e of the recurrence of previously chronic painful conditions. Those wh o did not complete protocol treatment were equally divided between the arnica (nine patients) and placebo groups (11 patients). 73 patients completed the study, of whom 35 received placebo and 38 received arnic a C30. The placebo group had a greater median age and the arnica group had slightly longer operations; nevertheless, no significant differen ce between the two groups could be demonstrated. We conclude that arni ca in homoeopathic potency had no effect on postoperative recovery in the context of our study.