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Assessing alternative medicine: methodological and research policy concerns.
1The University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston 77030, USA. slinder@sph.uth.tmc.edu
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care
|September 10, 2003
Summary
This study introduces a transparent method for prioritizing research funding for complementary and alternative therapies. It ensures fair evaluation of evidence, preventing bias in allocating public research support.
Area of Science:
- Evidence-based medicine
- Health services research
Background:
- Funding for complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) can be influenced by bias.
- Objective prioritization of CAT research is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a procedural approach for transparently characterizing evidence on CAT.
- To demonstrate an analytical scheme for prioritizing competing CAT research projects for public support.
Main Methods:
- A five-step scheme categorizes therapies based on study design.
- Therapies are grouped into equivalence classes by evidence type.
- Secondary screening criteria establish partial orderings within classes.
Main Results:
- Twenty-five therapies were assigned to equivalence classes.
- Comparisons are restricted to therapies with similar study designs.
- Within-class orderings prevent established therapies from dominating funding.
Conclusions:
- A formal procedure for comparing unconventional therapies protects against prejudgment.
- Weak evidence may stem from low research investment, not lack of efficacy.
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