Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2006; 11: 153
Many cancer patients use homoeopathic approaches to increase their body’s ability to fight cancer, improve their physical and emotional well-being, and alleviate their pain resulting from the disease or conventional treatments. Homoeopathy is highly controversial as there is no plausible mode of action for these highly diluted remedies. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise and critically evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic remedies used as a sole or additional therapy in cancer care. Researchers searched the literature using the databases Amed (from 1985), Cinahl (from 1982), Embase (from 1974), Medline (from 1951) and CAMbase (from 1998). Randomised and non-randomised CCTs including patients with cancer or past experience of cancer receiving single or combined homoeopathic interventions were included. The methodological quality of the trials was assessed by Jadad score. Six studies met the inclusion criteria (five were RCTs and one was a non-randomised study), but the methodological quality was variable, including some high-standard studies. The analysis of published literature on homoeopathy found insufficient evidence to support the clinical efficacy of homoeopathic therapy in cancer care.