Methodological Issues Pertaining to the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Energy-Based Therapies, Avenues for a Methodological Guide
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Eric Forgues
The current interest in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) begs the question of their integration into the health care system, which will most likely require rigorous scientific evaluation in randomized controlled trials (RCT) before they are fully accepted and integrated. Although some meta-analyses demonstrate the potential of certain energy-based (EB) CAM therapies others highlight significant methodological weaknesses in the study design. It is not only important to verify the effectiveness of energy-based therapies (EBT), but also to do it with methods that are appropriate to the evaluation of this type of therapy. In fact, there are those who question the applicability of traditional research models to the evaluation of CAM therapies. It is with this in mind that we wish to suggest certain parameters that should be taken into account when planning a research for the evaluation of CAM therapies and meta-analyses.
©2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Research Article
- Action of Portulaca oleracea against Streptozotocin-Induced Oxidative Stress in Experimental Diabetic Rats
- Effect of Naga Parpam, a Zinc-Based Siddha Medicine, on Hyperlipidemia in Rats
- The Organizational Support Necessary for Integrative Health Care (IHC): A Clinic for Artists in a Hospital Setting
- Investigation of Antihyperglycemic Activity of Glycine max (L.) Merr. on Serum Glucose Level in Diabetic Mice
- Aldose Reductase Inhibitory Activity of a C-glycosidic Flavonoid Derived from Enicostemma hyssopifolium
- Exploring Antidiabetic Mechanisms of Action of Galactomannan: A Carbohydrate Isolated from Fenugreek Seeds
- The Potential Role of Daucus carota Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts on Inflammation and Gastric Ulcers in Rats
- Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Inhibitory response of Ziziphus mauritiana (Lamk.) Seed Extract on Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress
- Antibacterial Activity and Anticorrosive Efficiency of Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Artemisia pallens (Asteraceae) and Its Major Constituent
- Ameliorative Role of Vitamin E on Adverse Impact of Azadirachta indica in Reproductive Indices of Male Rats
- Biphasic Modulation of Neutrophil Migration by Aqueous Extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in Murine Lung
- In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Rhodiola imbricata
- The Effect of Tai Chi in Reducing Anxiety in an Ambulatory Population
- Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Pterocarpus santalinoides L'Hérit ex DC Leaf Extract
- Phytochemical Constituents and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Clerodendron glandulosum.Coleb Methanolic Extract
- Anti-Nociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Extracts from the Stem Bark of Croton macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae) in Mice and Rats
- Protective Effect of Red Wine Extract Supplement against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats: Effects on Mitochondrial Antioxidant and Structural Parameters
- Effect on Inhibition of Proliferation and Antioxidant Enzyme Level of Lippia nodiflora in EAC Cell Line Treated Mice
- Exposure to Oscillating High Electrical Potential and the Associated Low Frequency Magnetic Field Enhances the Hepatoprotective Action of Schisandrin B in Vivo and in Vitro
- Assessment of in Vitro Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Cajanus cajan
- Antiproliferative, Antioxidant and Cyto/DNA Protective Properties in Andrographis serpyllifolia: Role of Andrographolide and Phenolic Acids
- Caudal Epididymal Sperm Characteristics and Testicular Morphometrics of Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of a Blood-Wild Sunflower Leaf Meal (BWSLM) Mixture Diet
- Probable Mechanism of the Antihyperglycemic Effect of Standardized Extract from Momordica charantia in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats
- Effect of Citrullus colocynthis Schard on Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Static Electric Field by High Voltage Alternating Current Ameliorates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice via the Inhibition of IL-1? Expression
- Effects of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid on HbA1c, Lipids and Blood Pressure in Type-2 Diabetics: A Preliminary Study
- Complementary or Alternative--Does It Matter In Your Questionnaire?
- Globularia alypum L. Lyophilized Methanolic Extract Decreases Hyperglycemia and Improves Antioxidant Status in Various Tissues of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
- Determination of Phenolic Content of Cassia sophera Linn. and the Potential Antiulcer Activity in Experimentally Induced Ulceration
- Augmentation of Antioxidant Defense System by Tinospora cordifolia: Implications in Radiation Protection
- Hepatoprotective Evaluation of Scoparia dulcis L.
- Discussion Paper
- Methodological Issues Pertaining to the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Energy-Based Therapies, Avenues for a Methodological Guide
- Is All Glucosamine Alike? Clarifying the Controversies for Product Selection and Clinical Research
- Review Article
- Using the Biopsychosocial Model to Understand the Health Benefits of Yoga
- A Review of Side Effects and Adverse Events of Non-Drug Medicine (Nonpharmaceutical Complementary and Alternative Medicine): Psychotherapy, Mind-Body Medicine and Clinical Holistic Medicine
- Augmentation of Mind-body Therapy and Role of Deep Slow Breathing
- Short Communication on Medicinal Herbs
- Protective Role of Pterocarpus marsupium in Diabetes-Induced Hyperlipidemic Condition
Articles in the same Issue
- Research Article
- Action of Portulaca oleracea against Streptozotocin-Induced Oxidative Stress in Experimental Diabetic Rats
- Effect of Naga Parpam, a Zinc-Based Siddha Medicine, on Hyperlipidemia in Rats
- The Organizational Support Necessary for Integrative Health Care (IHC): A Clinic for Artists in a Hospital Setting
- Investigation of Antihyperglycemic Activity of Glycine max (L.) Merr. on Serum Glucose Level in Diabetic Mice
- Aldose Reductase Inhibitory Activity of a C-glycosidic Flavonoid Derived from Enicostemma hyssopifolium
- Exploring Antidiabetic Mechanisms of Action of Galactomannan: A Carbohydrate Isolated from Fenugreek Seeds
- The Potential Role of Daucus carota Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts on Inflammation and Gastric Ulcers in Rats
- Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Inhibitory response of Ziziphus mauritiana (Lamk.) Seed Extract on Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress
- Antibacterial Activity and Anticorrosive Efficiency of Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Artemisia pallens (Asteraceae) and Its Major Constituent
- Ameliorative Role of Vitamin E on Adverse Impact of Azadirachta indica in Reproductive Indices of Male Rats
- Biphasic Modulation of Neutrophil Migration by Aqueous Extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in Murine Lung
- In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Rhodiola imbricata
- The Effect of Tai Chi in Reducing Anxiety in an Ambulatory Population
- Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Pterocarpus santalinoides L'Hérit ex DC Leaf Extract
- Phytochemical Constituents and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Clerodendron glandulosum.Coleb Methanolic Extract
- Anti-Nociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Extracts from the Stem Bark of Croton macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae) in Mice and Rats
- Protective Effect of Red Wine Extract Supplement against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats: Effects on Mitochondrial Antioxidant and Structural Parameters
- Effect on Inhibition of Proliferation and Antioxidant Enzyme Level of Lippia nodiflora in EAC Cell Line Treated Mice
- Exposure to Oscillating High Electrical Potential and the Associated Low Frequency Magnetic Field Enhances the Hepatoprotective Action of Schisandrin B in Vivo and in Vitro
- Assessment of in Vitro Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Cajanus cajan
- Antiproliferative, Antioxidant and Cyto/DNA Protective Properties in Andrographis serpyllifolia: Role of Andrographolide and Phenolic Acids
- Caudal Epididymal Sperm Characteristics and Testicular Morphometrics of Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of a Blood-Wild Sunflower Leaf Meal (BWSLM) Mixture Diet
- Probable Mechanism of the Antihyperglycemic Effect of Standardized Extract from Momordica charantia in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats
- Effect of Citrullus colocynthis Schard on Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Static Electric Field by High Voltage Alternating Current Ameliorates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice via the Inhibition of IL-1? Expression
- Effects of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid on HbA1c, Lipids and Blood Pressure in Type-2 Diabetics: A Preliminary Study
- Complementary or Alternative--Does It Matter In Your Questionnaire?
- Globularia alypum L. Lyophilized Methanolic Extract Decreases Hyperglycemia and Improves Antioxidant Status in Various Tissues of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
- Determination of Phenolic Content of Cassia sophera Linn. and the Potential Antiulcer Activity in Experimentally Induced Ulceration
- Augmentation of Antioxidant Defense System by Tinospora cordifolia: Implications in Radiation Protection
- Hepatoprotective Evaluation of Scoparia dulcis L.
- Discussion Paper
- Methodological Issues Pertaining to the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Energy-Based Therapies, Avenues for a Methodological Guide
- Is All Glucosamine Alike? Clarifying the Controversies for Product Selection and Clinical Research
- Review Article
- Using the Biopsychosocial Model to Understand the Health Benefits of Yoga
- A Review of Side Effects and Adverse Events of Non-Drug Medicine (Nonpharmaceutical Complementary and Alternative Medicine): Psychotherapy, Mind-Body Medicine and Clinical Holistic Medicine
- Augmentation of Mind-body Therapy and Role of Deep Slow Breathing
- Short Communication on Medicinal Herbs
- Protective Role of Pterocarpus marsupium in Diabetes-Induced Hyperlipidemic Condition