Cephalalgia. 2000 Nov; 20(9): 835-7.

The long-term effects of homeopathic treatment of chronic headaches: 1 year follow up.

Walach H, Lowes T, Mussbach D, Schamell U, Springer W, Stritzl G, Haag G.

Department of Environmental Medicine and Hygiene, University Hospital Freiberg, Germany. walach@ukl.uni-freiburg.de

Little is known about the long-term effects of homeopathic treatment. Following a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of classical homeopathy in chronic headaches, we conducted a complete follow-up study of all trial participants. All patients enrolled in the double-blind study were sent a 6-week headache diary, a follow-up questionnaire. Eighty-seven of the original 98 patients enrolled returned questionnaires, 81 returned diaries. There was no additional change from the end of the trial to the 1-year follow up. The improvement seen at the end of the 12-week trial was stable after 1 year. No differential effects according to treatment after the trial could be seen. Patients with no treatment following the trial had the most improvement after 1 year. Approximately 30% of patients in homeopathic treatment will benefit after 1 year of treatment. There is no indication of a specific, or of a delayed effect of homeopathy.