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Testing complementary and alternative therapies within a research protocol.

L G Walker1, J Anderson

  • 1Institute of Rehabilitation, Hull, U.K.

European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|February 16, 2000
PubMed
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Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential for evaluating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients. Despite challenges, RCTs provide the gold standard evidence for CAM

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Clinical Trial Methodology
  • Integrative Medicine

Background:

  • Significant patient demand exists for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer care.
  • Many CAM interventions lack robust evidence regarding their efficacy, effectiveness, and safety in cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of prospective, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) in evaluating CAM for cancer patients.
  • To discuss the appropriateness and feasibility of using RCT methodology for CAM assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on prospective, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) as the primary evaluation tool for CAM.
  • Acknowledges challenges and limitations while emphasizing RCTs as the gold standard.
  • Discusses the validity of both explanatory and pragmatic RCT designs, including considerations for patient preferences and blinding.

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Main Results:

  • RCT methodology is increasingly suitable for evaluating CAM due to advancements in clinical trial design and psychosocial oncology.
  • Existing RCTs have demonstrated the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of certain CAM interventions.
  • The Cochrane Database now includes a dedicated CAM field, indicating growing research in this area.

Conclusions:

  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remain the gold standard for evaluating the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of CAM in cancer care.
  • Further positive RCT results for CAM interventions could reduce skepticism among conventional practitioners and promote integration.
  • Advancements in trial methodology enhance the feasibility of rigorous CAM evaluation.