scholarly journals Law's Dilemma: Validating Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Clash of Evidential Paradigms

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ireh Iyioha
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapies ◽  
Regulatory Model ◽  
Scientific Validation ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

This paper examines the (in)compatibility between the diagnostic and therapeutic theories of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and a science-based regulatory framework. Specifically, the paper investigates the nexus between statutory legitimacy and scientific validation of health systems, with an examination of its impact on the development of complementary and alternative therapies. The paper evaluates competing theories for validating CAM ranging from the RCT methodology to anthropological perspectives and contends that while the RCT method might be beneficial in the regulation of many CAM therapies, yet dogmatic adherence to this paradigm as the exclusive method for legitimizing CAM will be adverse to the independent development of many CAM therapies whose philosophies and mechanisms of action are not scientifically interpretable. Drawing on history and research evidence to support this argument, the paper sues for a regulatory model that is accommodative of different evidential paradigms in support of a pluralistic healthcare system that balances the imperative of quality assurance with the need to ensure access.

scholarly journals Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Qualitative Exploration of Self-Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbie Jordan ◽  
Hannah Family ◽  
Kelly Blaxall ◽  
Fiona M. Begen ◽  
Raj Sengupta
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapy ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapies ◽  
Mainstream Healthcare ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an inflammatory rheumatic condition that is often subject to diagnostic delays. Individuals with axSpA report using complementary and alternative therapies prior to and following diagnosis, though little is known concerning reasons underlying use of such therapies. This study provides detailed insights into the motivation and experiences of complementary and alternative medicine use within a population of individuals with axSpA. Open-ended surveys were completed by 30 individuals (20–69 years; 17 females) diagnosed with axSpA. Subsequent telephone interviews were conducted with eight individuals (39–70 years; five females) diagnosed with axSpA. Data were analyzed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis. Themes of “a learning curve”, “barriers to complementary and alternative therapy use” and “complementary or mutually exclusive” illustrated how participants” increasing understanding of their condition empowered them to explore complementary and alternative therapies use as an adjunct to mainstream care. Individuals with axSpA recommended greater integration between mainstream and complementary and alternative therapies, valuing informed advice from mainstream healthcare professionals before selecting appropriate complementary and alternative therapies for potential use. Healthcare professionals should be proactive in discussing complementary and alternative therapy use with patients and supply them with details of organizations that can provide good-quality information.

Complementary and alternative medicine is positively associated with religiousness/spirituality

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabitha Heller ◽  
Christof Kloos ◽  
Nicolle Mueller ◽  
Josef Roemelt ◽  
Christian Keinki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Late Complications ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Outpatient Department ◽  
Perceived Effectiveness ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

AbstractBackgroundComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used often by patients with different diseases. While some authors subsume religiousness and spirituality to CAM, others do not. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence and types of CAM usage as well as the participants' spirituality/religiousness in an outpatient department for endocrinology and metabolic diseases.MethodsAll individuals visiting the outpatient department at a German university hospital from April to June 2009 were offered a standardized questionnaire on the use of dietary supplements and alternative therapies as well as their religiousness/spirituality. Demographic and clinical data of 428 respondents were taken from the electronic health record.ResultsOf the respondents, 16.4% (n = 66) classified themselves to be religious/spiritual and 67.9% (n = 273) as not religious/spiritual. Women were more religious/spiritual than men (p = 0.02). 41.4% of the respondents used supplements and 27.4% additional therapies. The use of supplements and additional therapies was more frequent in people with higher religiousness/spirituality (p = 0.005 and p = 0.01,resp.) but there were no associations between religiousness/spirituality and the number of consultations, costs for drugs, appraisal of the physicians treatment methods, the perceived effectiveness of prescribed drugs, fear of late complications or of side effects.ConclusionsA higher religiousness/spirituality is associated with a more frequent use of supplements or additional therapies in individuals with endocrinopathies or metabolic diseases. As CAM has been shown to be associated with worse outcome, addressing religiousness/spirituality which stresses the responsibility of the person for his life might offer an additional resource and should be further studied.

scholarly journals Snake Venom: Any Clue for Antibiotics and CAM?

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deivy Clementino de Lima ◽  
Paula Alvarez Abreu ◽  
Cícero Carlos de Freitas ◽  
Dilvani Oliveira Santos ◽  
Rodrigo Oliveira Borges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Snake Venom ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Snake Venoms ◽  
Commercial Use ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Lately several naturally occurring peptides presenting antimicrobial activity have been described in the literature. However, snake venoms, which are an enormous source of peptides, have not been fully explored for searching such molecules. The aim of this work is to review the basis of antimicrobial mechanisms revealing snake venom as a feasible source for searching an antibiotic prototype. Therefore, it includes (i) a description of the constituents of the snake venoms involved in their main biological effects during the envenomation process; (ii) examples of snake venom molecules of commercial use; (iii) mechanisms of action of known antibiotics; and (iv) how the microorganisms can be resistant to antibiotics. This review also shows that snake venoms are not totally unexplored sources for antibiotics and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Counseling Families Who Choose Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Their Child With Chronic Illness or Disability

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 598-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chronic Illness ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
The United States ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
Therapeutic Options ◽  
Unproven Therapies ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat chronic illness or disability is increasing in the United States. This is especially evident among children with autism and related disorders. It may be challenging to the practicing pediatrician to distinguish among accepted biomedical treatments, unproven therapies, and alternative therapies. Moreover, there are no published guidelines regarding the use of CAM in the care of children with chronic illness or disability. To best serve the interests of children, it is important to maintain a scientific perspective, to provide balanced advice about therapeutic options, to guard against bias, and to establish and maintain a trusting relationship with families. This statement provides information and guidance for pediatricians when counseling families about CAM.

scholarly journals Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Youth with Developmental Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Rachel Tenenbaum ◽  
Rumi Agarwal ◽  
Marcus S. Cooke ◽  
Mavara M. Agrawal ◽  
Marlaina Maddux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
National Health Interview Survey ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapies ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Future Work ◽  
And Oxidative Stress ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Oxidative stress is understood to be involved in the ontology and maintenance of different developmental disabilities. Some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have been proposed to modify this relationship by affecting oxidative stress pathways. However, it is unclear which of these CAM therapies are used among children with different developmental disabilities. This study examines the use of these therapies among 10,218 children between the ages of 4 and 17 using the 2012 Child Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to highlight a potential avenue for intervention and prevention efforts. The results suggest that children with developmental disabilities are more likely to utilize particular CAM therapies that may alter oxidative stress pathways. Future work is needed to assess the potential moderating effect of these CAM therapies and oxidative stress levels among children with different developmental disabilities.

scholarly journals EFFICACY OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN TREATMENT OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: A SITUATION ANALYSIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 386-395
Keyword(s):  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Newborn Health ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapies ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Maternal And Newborn ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Postpartum depression is a major public health issue worldwide. It varies in prevalence across countries. Pakistan remains highest to have the prevalence of postpartum depression among South Asian countries. A number of complementary and alternative medicines can help in decreasing depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. The purpose of this article is to subject review the use of complementary and alternative medicine as a treatment for postpartum depression. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted from articles using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE published since the last ten years. The findings of this review suggest that various complementary and alternative therapies may help in the treatment of postpartum depression. This literature review demonstrated the significant effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of postpartum depression. As conclusion, the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression are essential for maternal as well as new-born health. Complementary and alternative medicine has less side effects than antidepressants which can affect maternal and newborn health adversely.

scholarly journals How Much of CAM Is Based on Research Evidence?

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edzard Ernst
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Treatment Condition ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Preliminary Estimate ◽  
Sound Data ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The aim of this article is to provide a preliminary estimate of how much CAM is evidence-based. For this purpose, I calculated the percentage of 685 treatment/condition pairings evaluated in the “Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine” which are supported by sound data. The resulting figure was 7.4%. For a range of reasons, it might be a gross over-estimate. Further investigations into this subject are required to arrive at more representative figures.

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