ARE HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES EFFECTIVE FOR DELAYED-ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIALS

The question whether or not homoeopathic remedies are more effective t han placebos remains unresolved. Delayed-onset muscles soreness (DOMS) is a suitable model to test this hypothesis. Computerised literature searches cr ere conducted to retrieve all placebo-controlled trials on the subject. Eight such studies were identified. Most trials were bur dened with serious methodological flaws. All of the randomised studies showed no significant differences between placebo and verum. It is co ncluded that the published evidence to date does not support the hypot hesis that homoeopathic remedies used in these studies (mainly Rhus to xicodendron and Arnica montana) are more efficacious than placebo in a lleviating the symptoms of DOMS.