Related Experiment Videos
The use of complementary and alternative therapies
I B Corless1, D Abrams, P K Nicholas
1Graduate Department of Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
AACN Clinical Issues
|October 21, 2000
Summary
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) funds research to determine the effectiveness of unconventional treatments. NCCAM provides training and information to promote evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine for improved quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Growing consumer and provider interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
- Need for rigorous scientific evaluation of CAM therapies.
- Establishment of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in 1998.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the role and function of the NCCAM.
- To detail the criteria for inclusion/exclusion of therapies studied by NCCAM.
- To highlight the importance of NCCAM in advancing evidence-based CAM research.
Main Methods:
- The abstract describes the establishment and mission of NCCAM.
- It mentions funding research to determine treatment efficacy.
- Information dissemination and research training are noted functions.
Main Results:
- NCCAM provides a framework for evaluating unconventional treatments.
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria for CAM are defined.
- The center facilitates research and information sharing.
Conclusions:
- Continued increase in interest in non-traditional treatments is anticipated.
- NCCAM plays a crucial role in evaluating CAM efficacy.
- Research supported by NCCAM aims to enhance patient quality of life.