Homoeopathic versus Placebo Therapy of Children with Warts on the Hands: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background: Despite the wide practical application of homoeopathy, scientific proof of its effectiveness and mechanisms is still lacking, and sound, placebo-controlled studies are scarce. Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathy in a prospective, double-blind randomized trial. Methods: 60 children aged 6–12 years with common warts on the back of the hands were treated either with an individually selected homoeopathic preparation (n= 30) of at least a 1:1,012 dilution or with pure placebo in the form of saccharose globuli (n = 30) under double-blind conditions. The area occupied by warts was measured by computerized planimetry before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Reduction of the warty area by at least 50% was considered a response. Results: There were a total of 16 responders: 9 of 30 patients in the homoeopathic therapy group and 7 of 30 patients in the placebo group (χ2=0.34, p = 0.56). Total cure of warts occurred in 5 patients in the treated group and in 1 patient in the placebo group (χ2 = 1.46, p = 0.22). Conclusion: There was no apparent difference between the effects of homoeopathic therapy and placebo in children with common warts under the conditions of this study.