Traditional Indian Medicine and Homeopathy for HIV/AIDS: A Review
Author Information
Author(s): Fritts M, Crawford CC, Quibell D, Gupta A, Jonas WB, Coulter I, Andrade SA
Primary Institution: Samueli Institute
Hypothesis
What is the quality of peer-reviewed literature on traditional Indian medicine and homeopathy for HIV/AIDS care and treatment?
Conclusion
The review highlights a significant gap between the widespread use of traditional Indian medicine and homeopathy for HIV/AIDS and the lack of high-quality data supporting their effectiveness and safety.
Supporting Evidence
- Two-thirds of India's population uses traditional Indian medicine and homeopathy for health care needs.
- Only 4 out of 206 studies reviewed were randomized controlled trials.
- Most studies reported positive effects, but many had significant methodological flaws.
Takeaway
Many people in India use traditional medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, but there isn't enough good research to prove that these treatments work well or are safe.
Methodology
The review assessed the quality of published literature on traditional Indian medicine and homeopathy for HIV/AIDS treatment by analyzing 206 original articles.
Potential Biases
Methodological flaws in the studies reviewed raise concerns about their internal and external validity.
Limitations
The review may not represent all published literature on TIMH and HIV/AIDS, as non-English literature and unpublished articles were not included.
Participant Demographics
The review included studies involving HIV-infected persons in India, but specific demographics were not detailed.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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