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A controlled evaluation of a homoeopathic preparation in the treatment of influenza‐like syndromes.
Author(s) -
Ferley JP,
Zmirou D.,
D'Adhemar D.,
Balducci F.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1989.tb05373.x
Subject(s) - medicine , placebo , homeopathy , drug treatment , drug , physical therapy , clinical trial , anesthesia , alternative medicine , pharmacology , pathology
1. A controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a homoeopathic preparation in the treatment of influenza‐like syndromes. 2. 237 cases received the test drug and 241 were assigned to placebo. Patients recorded their rectal temperature twice a day, and the presence or absence of five cardinal symptoms (headache, stiffness, lumbar and articular pain, shivers) along with cough, coryza and fatigue. 3. Recovery was defined as a rectal temperature less than 37.5 degrees C and complete resolution of the five cardinal symptoms. 4. The proportion of cases who recovered within 48 h of treatment was greater among the active drug group than among the placebo group (17.1% against 10.3%, P = 0.03). 5. The result cannot be explained given our present state of knowledge, but it calls for further rigorously designed clinical studies.