In 68 comparisons from 49 clinical trials Arnica shows a significant effectiveness of in traumatic injuries. - GreenMedInfo Summary
[On the effectiveness of the homeopathic remedy Arnica montana].
Wien Med Wochenschr. 2005 Nov;155(21-22):482-90. PMID: 16425108
Karl und Veronica Carstens-Stiftung, Essen, Germany. [email protected]
BACKGROUND: Arnica montana is a homeopathic remedy often prescribed after traumata and injuries.
OBJECTIVES: To assess whether Arnica is effective beyond placebo and to identify factors which support or contradict this effectiveness.
METHODS: All prospective, controlled trials on the effectiveness of homeopathic Arnica were included. Overall effectiveness was assessed by meta-analysis and meta-regression techniques.
RESULTS: 68 comparisons from 49 clinical trials show a significant effectiveness of Arnica in traumatic injuries in random effects meta-analysis (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.55), but not in meta-regression models (OR, 0.37; CI, 0.11-1.24). We found no evidence for publication bias. Studies from Medline-listed journals and high-quality studies are less likely to report positive results (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0167).
CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis that homeopathic Arnica is effective could neither be proved nor rejected. All trials were highly heterogeneous, meta-regression does not help to explain this heterogeneity substantially.
