Investigating Alternative Medicine Therapies in Randomized Controlled Trials

Article Abstract:

The application of scientific research protocols to alternative medical practices is complicated by a lack of standard treatment guidelines, difficulties developing control procedures to identify placebo effects, and challenges in maintaining a blinded research environment. Procedures such as acupuncture are difficult to test because the insertion of needles into "non-active" sites in a control group reveals the experimental design to the acupuncturist. Many alternative therapies credit non-physiologic mechanisms for their effectiveness, and the practices may be difficult to evaluate by standard scientific methods. Acupuncture treatment for cocaine addiction is a standardized practice that can be subjected to scientific scrutiny.

Usage, Clinical trials

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Acupuncture

Article Abstract:

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus conference has concluded that acupuncture is effective for postoperative dental pain, and postoperative and chemotherapy-related nausea. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapeutic system using needles and other instruments to stimulate specific points on the skin for healing purposes. The practice is based on an Eastern notion of energy flow in the body, called Qi. Good-quality research is sparse, but evidence suggests it may be useful in pain and nausea. Acupuncture may stimulate the release of endorphins and other substances which reduce pain, alter blood pressure, and cause other physiological changes.

Reports, United States. National Institutes of Health, Medicine, Oriental, Asian medicine

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Acupuncture and Amitriptyline for Pain Due to HIV-Related Peripheral Neuropathy

Article Abstract:

Neither acupuncture or amytriptyline appear to be effective in the treatment of HIV-related peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve pain in the limbs associated with HIV infection and other chronic illnesses. Researchers assigned 250 patients to receive acupuncture treatments, amytriptyline hydrochloride, or placebo versions of the therapies. After 14 weeks of treatment, patients in all the treatment groups reported some pain relief, but neither active treatment was more effective than the placebo in relieving neuropathic pain.

Care and treatment, Complications and side effects, HIV infection, HIV infections, Peripheral nerve diseases, Peripheral nervous system diseases, Amitriptyline

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