A double-blind, controlled clinical trial of homeopathy and an analysis of lunar phases and postoperative outcome

Author(s): Smolle, J., Prause, G. , Kerl, H.

Journal/Book: Arch Dermatol. 1998; 134(11): 1368-1370.

Abstract: Objective: To use scientific methods to evaluate 2 claims made by practitioners of alternative medicine. Design: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study of homeopathy in children with warts, and a cohort study of the influence of lunar phases on postoperative outcome in surgical patients. Setting: Outpatients of a dermatology department (homeopathy study) and inpatients evaluated at an anesthesiology department (lunar phases). Subjects: Sixty volunteers for the homeopathy study and 14 970 consecutive patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia for the lunar phase study. assessment of the lunar phase at the time of operation (lunar phase study). Main Outcome Measures: Reduction of area occupied by warts by at least 50% within 8 weeks; death from any cause within 30 days after surgery. on during waxing moon and 1.33%, in patients operated on during waning moon (chi(2)= 0.49; P=.50). particular method or statement should be abandoned. Otherwise one would run the risk of supporting superstition and quackery.

Keyword(s): hom. cr. rct.

Zurück | Weiter