Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1996 ; 108(20): 654-63.

[Homeopathy: principles, status of research, research design; comment]

Walach H, Righetti M.

Abteilung Rehabilitationspsychologie, Universität Freiburg, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

This paper gives an overview of homoeopathy: 1. scientific foundations-2. problems and importance of research in homoeopathy-3. of research findings in basic and clinical research-4. future strategies of evaluation. Homeopathy is a medical discipline in its own right which is quite different from orthodox medicine in its basic tenets, its research paradigms and its practical approach to therapy, even though both methods are empirically founded and share the aim of healing the sick. When homoeopathy is pressed into a framework of research paradigms alien to its own approach, this is bound to engender difficulties because of the partial incompatibility. In spite of that, some studies with rigorous design have shown that homoeopathic remedies are effective. The important research findings are discussed and future strategies for evaluation are proposed.