Bmc Complem Altern M
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Jul 2004
Comparative StudyComplementary and alternative medical therapies for chronic low back pain: What treatments are patients willing to try?
Although back pain is the most common reason patients use complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies, little is known about the willingness of primary care back pain patients to try these therapies. As part of an effort to refine recruitment strategies for clinical trials, we sought to determine if back pain patients are willing to try acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, meditation, and t'ai chi and to learn about their knowledge of, experience with, and perceptions about each of these therapies. ⋯ Most patients with chronic back pain in our sample were interested in trying therapeutic options that lie outside the conventional medical spectrum. This highlights the need for additional studies evaluating their effectiveness and suggests that researchers conducting clinical trials of these therapies may not have difficulties recruiting patients.
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Jul 2003
Searching biomedical databases on complementary medicine: the use of controlled vocabulary among authors, indexers and investigators.
The optimal retrieval of a literature search in biomedicine depends on the appropriate use of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), descriptors and keywords among authors and indexers. We hypothesized that authors, investigators and indexers in four biomedical databases are not consistent in their use of terminology in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). ⋯ Searching biomedical databases for CAM is challenging due to inconsistent use of controlled vocabulary and indexing procedures in different databases. A standard terminology should be used by investigators in conducting their search strategies and authors when writing titles, abstracts and submitting keywords for publications.
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · May 2003
ReviewContent validity of manual spinal palpatory exams - A systematic review.
Many health care professionals use spinal palpatory exams as a primary and well-accepted part of the evaluation of spinal pathology. However, few studies have explored the validity of spinal palpatory exams. To evaluate the status of the current scientific evidence, we conducted a systematic review to assess the content validity of spinal palpatory tests used to identify spinal neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunction. ⋯ The lack of acceptable reference standards may have contributed to the weak sensitivity findings. Given the importance of spinal palpatory tests as part of the spinal evaluation and treatment plan, effort is required by all involved disciplines to create well-designed and implemented studies in this area.
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Mar 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialElectroacupuncture versus diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial.
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA), diclofenac and their combination in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. ⋯ EA is significantly more effective than placebo and diclofenac in the symptomatic treatment of OA of the knee in some circumstances. However, the combination of EA and diclofenac treatment was no more effective than EA treatment alone.
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Jan 2001
Review Comparative StudySystematic review of the use of honey as a wound dressing.
To investigate topical honey in superficial burns and wounds though a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. ⋯ Confidence in a conclusion that honey is a useful treatment for superficial wounds or burns is low. There is biological plausibility.