Introduction
The question of whether the infinitesimally diluted
substances used in homoeopathy really exert biological
activity is of considerable interest and importance
and involves both scientific, economic, and medical
aspects. A meta-analysis in the BM in 1991 of 107
controlled clinical trials of homoeopathy concluded
that evidence of the efficacy of homoeopathy in
humans is positive but not sufficient to draw definite
conclusions.'
The present study is part of a research programme,
supported by the Norwegian Research Council, to
evaluate the efficacy of various forms of alternative
medicine. One author (CFB) is the coordinator of this
programme, two (PAS, DT) are experienced practitioners
of homoeopathy, and two (PS, PL) are well
versed with the clinical surgical model used. The
model allows strictly controlled crossover studies on
the effects of drugs on signs and symptoms associated
2-9 with a soft tissue and bone injury.
We studied whether homoeopathy would significantly
affect pain and other events after surgical
intervention.