Treating patients with dyspepsia with acupuncture and homeopathy: a randomised pilot study of effectiveness and costs.

INTERVENTION: Patients chose between acupuncture and homeopathy and were then randomised to this preference or to the control group of normal GP care: 1. Homeopathy versus placebo 2. Acupuncture versus placebo Treatment and follow‐up were for six months. CONDITION: Peptic ulcer disease ; Digestive System ; Peptic ulcer PRIMARY OUTCOME: Clinical outcome will be measured by validated outcome questionnaires: ; 1. The 36‐item short form health survey (SF‐36) ; 2. Measure Yourself Outcome Profile (MYMOP); 3. The General Well‐Being Index; ; Follow‐up will be six‐months. ; ; NHS costs collected for each patient will be prescribing costs, referral costs, and number of general practitioner consultations. Complementary practitioner costs will be their fees and homeopathy prescriptions. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: Sixty patients with dyspepsia presenting in one UK general practice. Participants expressed their preference for homeopathy or acupuncture before being randomised to receive their choice or be in the control group receiving normal GP care.