Complementary therapies in clinical practice
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · May 2006
ReviewRedefining the randomized controlled trial in the context of acupuncture research.
The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is considered the 'gold standard' methodology for evaluating efficacy of an intervention. It has been argued that RCTs cannot be used to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture. ⋯ With these factors combined, it is possible to greatly increase internal and external validity in acupuncture RCTs.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · May 2006
A retrospective cohort study exploring the relationship between antenatal reflexology and intranatal outcomes.
The integration of reflexology into midwifery care has become more common in recent years as a result of a developing interest in alternative and complementary therapies and also due to the integration of new skills into midwifery practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of antenatal reflexology with different outcomes in the intranatal period. The key variables of interest were onset of labour, duration of labour, analgesia used and mode of delivery. ⋯ Fewer women in the reflexology group had a normal labour with a higher percentage of women having a forceps delivery. In conclusion the only statistically significant difference between groups was less use of Entonox in the reflexology group. Further research requires standardized treatment and outcome measurement using prospective randomized designs with large samples.