Homeopathic Remedies in Psychiatric Disorders: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.


Journal

Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
ISSN: 1533-712X
Titre abrégé: J Clin Psychopharmacol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8109496

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
Historique:
entrez: 26 4 2020
pubmed: 26 4 2020
medline: 14 1 2021
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

Homeopathy is a complementary and alternative medicine. Conclusive evidence on the plausibility, efficacy, and safety of these treatments is not currently available. Nonetheless, homeopathic remedies (HRs) are widespread throughout the world and especially in mental disorders. The aim is to assess the efficacy of HRs in the treatment of mental disorders. We performed a Medline/Embase search for studies written in English and published from any date to October 23, 2018. All randomized controlled trials enrolling patients with any psychiatric disorder and comparing HR with placebo, no treatment, or other psychotropic drugs were included. A total of 212 studies were screened, 9 met all selection criteria and reported data on major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 4), generalized anxiety disorder (n = 1), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 2), and premenstrual syndrome/dysphoric disorder (n = 2). Eight of 9 randomized controlled trials showed high risk of bias. Homeopathy showed greater efficacy in MDD compared with fluoxetine, and in premenstrual syndrome/dysphoric disorder compared with placebo, whereas no difference emerged between homeopathy and placebo in MDD and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Available data on homeopathy in psychiatric disorders are insufficient to support their use in clinical practice.

Sections du résumé

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND OBJECTIVE
Homeopathy is a complementary and alternative medicine. Conclusive evidence on the plausibility, efficacy, and safety of these treatments is not currently available. Nonetheless, homeopathic remedies (HRs) are widespread throughout the world and especially in mental disorders. The aim is to assess the efficacy of HRs in the treatment of mental disorders.
METHODS/PROCEDURES METHODS
We performed a Medline/Embase search for studies written in English and published from any date to October 23, 2018. All randomized controlled trials enrolling patients with any psychiatric disorder and comparing HR with placebo, no treatment, or other psychotropic drugs were included.
FINDINGS/RESULTS RESULTS
A total of 212 studies were screened, 9 met all selection criteria and reported data on major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 4), generalized anxiety disorder (n = 1), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 2), and premenstrual syndrome/dysphoric disorder (n = 2). Eight of 9 randomized controlled trials showed high risk of bias. Homeopathy showed greater efficacy in MDD compared with fluoxetine, and in premenstrual syndrome/dysphoric disorder compared with placebo, whereas no difference emerged between homeopathy and placebo in MDD and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Available data on homeopathy in psychiatric disorders are insufficient to support their use in clinical practice.

Identifiants

pubmed: 32332462
doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001196
pii: 00004714-202005000-00008
doi:

Substances chimiques

Psychotropic Drugs 0

Types de publication

Journal Article Meta-Analysis Review

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

269-275

Références

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Auteurs

Francesco Rotella (F)

From the Psychiatric Unit, AOU Careggi Hospital.

Emanuele Cassioli (E)

Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence.

Andrea Falone (A)

Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence.

Valdo Ricca (V)

Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence.

Edoardo Mannucci (E)

Diabetes Agency, AOU Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.

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