New Research Methods Needed To Build Evidence Base On Effectiveness Of Popular Complementary Therapies

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 11 Aug 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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New research is needed into the clinical and cost effectiveness of the complementary therapies used by millions of Britons every year to improve and manage their health. So says a report by an independent advisory group convened by The King's Fund and chaired by Professor Dame Carol Black published today.

Despite the increasing popularity of treatments like acupuncture, reflexology and osteopathy, the evidence as to whether and how they work is scarce, leaving the practices open to criticism. But lack of agreement on the best methods to test the efficacy and effectiveness of complementary therapies has proved an obstacle to addressing this problem.

This report hopes to establish a consensus on the ways in which research might be conducted that both the conventional and complementary health care communities can support.

Explaining the need for different types of research when assessing complementary practice, Professor Dame Carol Black said:

'It has become widely accepted that a stronger evidence base is needed if we are to reach a better understanding of complementary practices and ensure greater confidence in their clinical and cost effectiveness. The challenge is to develop methods of research that allow us to assess the value of an approach that seeks to integrate the physical intervention, the personal context in which it is given, and non-specific effects that together comprise a particular therapy.'

Commenting on the importance of making progress in this area, The King's Fund Chief Executive, Niall Dickson said:

'Where complementary therapies are offered as part of the NHS it is imperative that those responsible for spending public money base their decisions on sound evidence. We need to understand more about the costs and benefits.

'Doctors and patients need robust evidence to make informed decisions - more research will play a vital role in showing what works and what does not, what is cost effective and what is not.'

The report is the result of debate between experts in the fields of medical research, funding and practice, and was conducted over the course of more than two years.

Source
The King's Fund