Homoeopathic treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

43 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were alternately assigned to either placebo or homoeopathic treatment in a double blind, partial crossover study to determine the effectiveness of homoeopathy for this disorder. Medicines or placebos were given to parents or carers and were administered to children by the parent or carers. After 10 days children in the placebo group were given homoeopathic medicines. Statistical comparisons were made on the basis of parent or carer ratings of ADHD behaviour before and after treatment. Scores for subjects initially in the placebo group were compared with those initially in the homoeopathic group; and scores for subjects initially in the placebo group were compared with scores for the same subjects after they received homoeopathic medicine. Statistically significant differences were found for both comparisons, supporting the hypothesis that homoeopathic treatment is superior to placebo treatment for ADHD.