Eight RCTs (n=624) were included in the review. Methodological quality of included studies was poor. Each RCT received only 1 point. Sample size ranged from 50 to 104.
Honey was found to be more effective than comparators for: healing of burns at 15 days (OR 6.7, 95% CI 2.8 to 15.8, I2=66.1%; six RCTs); healing rates at 21 days (OR 12.6, 95% CI 5.1 to 31.4, I2=46.8%; five RCTs); presence of contractures (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1 to 1, I2=0%; five RCTs); and number of sterile swabs taken at seven days (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.7; one RCT).
Honey was found to be more effective when compared to silver sulphadiazine only for 15 day healing rates (OR 8.0, 95% CI 2.6 to 25.0, I2=75.5%; four RCTs). There were no significant differences between groups for hypergranulation tissue formation (two RCTs).
There was no evidence of publication bias for any analyses.