Evidence map›Paper›PMID 14583972›Full record

SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2003

Homoeopathy for induction of labour.

C A Smith

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2003. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 10 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

11 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Acupuncture or acupressure for induction of labour.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017
    Pooled it
  3. Nitric oxide donors for cervical ripening and induction of labour.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016
    Pooled it
  4. Vaginal prostaglandin (PGE2 and PGF2a) for induction of labour at term.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2014
    Pooled it
  5. Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2013
    Pooled it
  6. Methods of induction of labour: a systematic review.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2011
    Pooled it
  7. Vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and induction of labour.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2010
    Pooled it
  8. Intracervical prostaglandins for induction of labour.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2008
    Pooled it
  9. Oral prostaglandin E2 for induction of labour.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2001
    Pooled it
  10. Amniotomy alone for induction of labour.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2000
    Pooled it
  11. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

C A SmithSchool of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, City East Campus, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5001.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis is one of series of reviews of cervical ripening and labour induction using standardised methodology. Homoeopathy involves the use, in dilution, of substances which cause symptoms in their undiluted form. A type of herb, 'caulophyllum' is one type of homoeopathic therapy that has been used to induce labour.

objectivesTo determine the effects of homoeopathy for third trimester cervical ripening or induction of labour. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (13 May 2003), and bibliographies of relevant papers. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing homeopathy used for third trimester cervical ripening or labour induction with placebo/no treatment or other methods listed above it on a predefined list of labour induction methods. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: A generic strategy was developed to deal with the large volume and complexity of trial data relating to labour induction. This involved a two-stage method of data extraction. The initial data extraction was done centrally. MAIN

resultsTwo trials involving 133 women were included in the review. The trials were placebo controlled and double blind, but the quality was not high. Insufficient information was available on the method of randomisation and the study lacked clinically meaningful outcomes. This trials demonstrated no differences in any primary or secondary outcome between the treatment and control group. REVIEWER'S

conclusionsThere is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of homoeopathy as a method of induction. It is likely that the demand for complementary medicine will continue and women will continue to consult a homoeopath during their pregnancy. Although caulophyllum is a commonly used homoeopathic therapy to induce labour, the treatment strategy used in the one trial in which it was evaluated may not reflect routine homoeopathy practice. Rigorous evaluations of individualised homeopathic therapies for induction of labour are needed.

Indexed as

CaulophyllumCervical RipeningHomeopathyLabor, InducedFemaleHumansPregnancyRandomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Identifiers

PMID14583972

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.