Oscillococcinum^R in patients with influenza-like syndromes: A placebo-controlled double-blind evaluation

Abstract

A controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Oscillococcinum^R in the treatment of patients with influenza-like syndromes. 188 patients received the test drug and 184 patients were assigned to the placebo. Data were recorded by the participating physicians at the beginning of the treatment, after 48 hours and after 7–10 days. During the first few days, the patients recorded their rectal temperature twice a day (mornings and evenings), 9 symptoms on a rating scale (cough, catarrh, sore throat, muscle pain, etc.), and use of medication. Recovery was defined as follows: ‘rectal temperature < 37.5°C and no headache or muscle pain’. Effectiveness was defined as a statistically significant greater decrease in symptoms after 48 hours in the verum group or a shorter duration of symptoms in comparison to the placebo group. After 48 hours the symptoms of the patients in the verum group were significantly milder (P=0.023) than in the placebo group. The number of patients with no symptoms was significantly higher in the verum group from the second day onwards (verum: 17.4%, placebo: 6.6%) until the end of the patients’ recording (day 5 in the evening: verum: 73.7%, placebo: 67.7%). The biggest group difference was recorded for the time between the evening of the second day (10.6% more patients with no symptoms) and the morning of the fourth day (10.2% more patients with no symptoms). The clinical trial showed that treatment of influenza-like syndromes with Oscillococcinum^R has a positive effect on the decline of symptoms and on the duration of the disease.

Keywords

Influenza-like syndrome - Oscillococcinum^R - Homoeopathy - Absence of symptoms