The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Jun 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy of individualized Chinese herbal medication in osteoarthrosis of hip and knee: a double-blind, randomized-controlled clinical study.
The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of individually designed herbal formulas according to the rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. ⋯ While the individual prescription consisting of medicinal herbs according to TCM diagnosis investigated in this trial tend to improve the osteoarthritis, the same effect was also achieved with the nonspecific prescription.
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J Altern Complement Med · Jun 2011
Lifestyle and self-care advice within traditional acupuncture consultations: a qualitative observational study nested in a co-operative inquiry.
The study objective was to develop methodology for observational research within traditional acupuncture consultations in community-based practice, and to explore how traditional acupuncturists communicate with patients about lifestyle and self-care. ⋯ Self-care in traditional acupuncture consultations is integral, interactive, and individualized. This study has mapped out a potential agenda for research into self-care in traditional acupuncture consultations and illustrates the exciting opportunities that open up when observational and interview data are combined.
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J Altern Complement Med · Jun 2011
Complementary and alternative medicine used by children in military pediatric clinics.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, types, perceived effects, and factors that influence the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by military children. ⋯ In this military population with access to universal health care, CAM use is higher than the U.S. national average and nearly double that of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey study. Patients with chronic conditions, family members using CAM, and parental age over 30 years are more likely to use CAM. CAM is perceived as helpful with minimal to no side-effects. Pediatricians should inquire about CAM use and be prepared to provide guidance on this topic.
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J Altern Complement Med · May 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy of Tripterygium hypoglaucum Hutch in adults with chronic urticaria.
The study objectives were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tripterygium hypoglaucum Hutch (THH) in adult with severe chronic urticaria (CU) by performing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. ⋯ This study shows that the therapeutic effect of THH with cetirizine is predominant over that of cetirizine alone in adult CU. THH with cetirizine may play an important role in the therapy of CU and be a useful treatment for CU.
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J Altern Complement Med · May 2011
Comparative StudyOpposing systematic reviews: the effects of two quality rating instruments on evidence regarding t'ai chi and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
This article compares and contrasts two systematic reviews of t'ai chi (TC) interventions on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. The aim is to examine how chosen quality rating instruments can impact systematic reviews of TC literature. ⋯ Readers must exercise caution concerning high or low ratings from systematic reviews of TC studies because the choice of quality rating tool can dramatically influence the summary and conclusions of the reviews. There is no consensus on quality rating standards at this time. Of the two, the Jadad scale was not only inadequate but also inappropriate for reviewing TC studies, potentially misleading researchers, clinicians and policymakers. Future systematic reviews of TC should utilize instruments that are updated to current scientific standards, comprehensive, adaptable to clinical context, and relevant to the research topic.