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Complementary medicine. Searching for the evidence
1Chinese Medicine Unit and Research Unit for Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Western Sydney, New South Wales.
Australian Family Physician
|January 5, 2001
Summary
Assessing complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) requires rigorous evidence, though many consumers use them based on tradition. More clinical trials are needed for CAM safety and efficacy evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Evidence-Based Healthcare
Background:
- Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) represent a significant economic sector.
- Growing consumer, clinical, and scientific interest in CAM safety and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the evidence-based assessment of complementary and alternative medicines.
- To address the challenges in assessing CAM interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing systematic reviews on CAM practices.
- Analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in CAM research.
Main Results:
- A substantial body of research exists, including numerous systematic reviews and RCTs.
- Despite extensive research, rigorous clinical trial evidence is lacking for many CAM interventions.
Conclusions:
- While consumers use CAM, often influenced by tradition, robust clinical evidence is still crucial.
- Further high-quality clinical trials are necessary to establish the effectiveness and safety of many CAM therapies.