Homeopathy Homeopathic Research and Evidence 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What did the 2005 Shang et al. Lancet meta-analysis conclude about homeopathy?
- Clinical effects of homeopathy are consistent with the placebo effect (Correct answer)
- Homeopathy is more effective than placebo for all conditions
- More research is needed before conclusions can be drawn
- Homeopathy works for acute but not chronic conditions
Correct answer: Clinical effects of homeopathy are consistent with the placebo effect
Shang et al.'s 2005 Lancet analysis compared homeopathy and conventional medicine trials and concluded that homeopathy's effects were consistent with placebo, sparking significant controversy.
Question 2: What is 'individualised homeopathy' as tested in clinical research?
- Prescribing a unique remedy for each patient based on their complete symptom totality (Correct answer)
- Giving the same standard remedy to all patients with a diagnosis
- Adjusting potency based on laboratory test results
- Using a different remedy for each visit regardless of symptoms
Correct answer: Prescribing a unique remedy for each patient based on their complete symptom totality
Individualised homeopathy prescribes a unique remedy per patient based on their full symptom picture, making it harder to test in standard RCT designs which typically use one treatment for all patients.
Question 3: Oscillococcinum is a popular OTC homeopathic product claimed to treat flu symptoms; what is it made from?
- Duck heart and liver (Anas barbariae) at 200C dilution (Correct answer)
- Oscillating bacteria isolated in 1920
- Quinine bark at 6X dilution
- A combination of Bryonia and Gelsemium
Correct answer: Duck heart and liver (Anas barbariae) at 200C dilution
Oscillococcinum is prepared from Anas barbariae (Barbary duck heart and liver) at a 200C potency and is one of the world's best-selling homeopathic products.
Question 4: What is the CORE-Hom database relevant to homeopathic research?
- A comprehensive clinical outcomes registry for homeopathic research studies (Correct answer)
- A patient forum for sharing homeopathic testimonials
- A regulatory database of approved homeopathic remedies
- A materia medica database for practitioners
Correct answer: A comprehensive clinical outcomes registry for homeopathic research studies
CORE-Hom (Clinical Outcomes Registry and Evidence in Homeopathy) is an international registry of clinical homeopathy research designed to systematically compile evidence.
Question 5: The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health's 2012 report on homeopathy concluded:
- Homeopathy is effective, cost-effective, and safe enough to be included in basic health insurance (Correct answer)
- Homeopathy is no better than placebo and should be excluded from insurance
- Homeopathy is effective only for children and the elderly
- More randomized trials are needed before any conclusion
Correct answer: Homeopathy is effective, cost-effective, and safe enough to be included in basic health insurance
Switzerland's 2012 Health Technology Assessment report concluded homeopathy was clinically effective, cost-effective, and safe, recommending its continued inclusion in national health insurance.
Question 6: What does the term 'homeoprophylaxis' refer to in homeopathic research?
- Using homeopathic remedies to prevent infectious disease (as an alternative or adjunct to vaccination) (Correct answer)
- Proving a remedy before clinical use
- Prescribing a constitutional remedy to prevent chronic disease
- Using nosodes to treat active infections
Correct answer: Using homeopathic remedies to prevent infectious disease (as an alternative or adjunct to vaccination)
Homeoprophylaxis is the use of potentized homeopathic remedies (typically nosodes) to confer protection against specific infectious diseases, sometimes proposed as an alternative to conventional vaccines.
Homeopathy Homeopathic Research and Evidence 2
What did the 2005 Shang et al.
Lancet meta-analysis conclude about homeopathy?