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Research Highlights Archive: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
2003 - Present
Research Highlights represent a selected portion of RAND Health research. For more, browse all RAND Health research.
Integrative medicine raises tough questions — December 4, 2008
Six articles explore causes, consequences, and other aspects of integrative medicine's development in four major Western nations.
Read abstract See also:
Finding solutions for complementary and alternative medicines — August 22, 2008
Some suggest that complimentary and alternative medicines should adopt health services research methods as a solution to problems faced in randomized control trials. However, the unique needs of the field demand caution in following this course of action.
Marijuana use and high school drop out rates — July 17, 2008
Data from over 4,500 seventh grade students show a positive relationship between marijuana smoking and the likelihood of dropping out of school; however the relationship is statistically insignificant when other factors, including cigarette use, are taken into account.
Acupuncture is an economic substitute for some medical treatments — March 4, 2008
Acupuncture is an economic substitute for some medical services and pharmaceuticals, a finding of some importance to insurers, healthcare practitioners, and policy makers.
Marijuana sanctions: lower legal risk for dealers may result in higher prices — November 5, 2007
Lower legal risks for marijuana users users are associated with higher marijuana prices and thus higher profits for drug dealers.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine by Cambodian refugees is not barrier to mental health treatment — October 12, 2007
Only a small percentage of Cambodian refugees use complementary and alternative medicines exclusively and those who do are more likely to use Western care for mental health problems. These findings contradict the Surgeon General's conclusion that Asian Americans' use of complementary and alternative medicine inhibits their use of Western mental health care.
Evidence-based practice & complementary and alternative medicine — June 27, 2007
Standard evidence-based methods can be helpful to the complementary and alternative medical practice, but many standard research methods are not applicable. Researchers must be sensitive to this challenge as well as to political pressures behind the demand for applying such methods.
Religious teachings and beliefs may promote safer sex among those with HIV — May 1, 2007
This study used a nationally representative sample of 1,421 people in care for HIV to examine whether religiosity affected their sexual behaviors. The study found that religious beliefs and teachings and denominational affiliation appear to promote safer sex among people with HIV.
Tai Chi shown effective in reducing headache impact in adults — April 4, 2007
Adults suffering from tension-type headaches were randomly assigned to either a control group or a 15 week intervention program of Tai Chi. The study found that Tai Chi reduced the effects of headaches and improved perceptions of some aspects of physical and mental health.
The false hope of bone marrow transplantation for breast cancer — March 8, 2007
Clinical use of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation was propelled by numerous factors—patient demand, physician enthusiasm, media reporting, litigation, and administrative mandates—despite a lack of proven clinical effectiveness. This book details the evolution of this false hope and addresses the story's significance for our health care system.
Full document
Order this document from Oxford University Press
Chronic disease may be best approached with an integrated, "whole system" model — December 2006
While very successful for acute and traumatic disease, studying specific disease processes is not as effective when dealing with chronic disease. The nature of a chronic disease's complex systems may be best dealt with via integrated, multilevel "thick case" observational data.
Differences in health care provider attitudes towards integrative medicine — August 2006
Conventional physicians and practioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) need to collaborate when treating the same patient, in order to provide efficient care without adverse reactions. However, there is no consensus among practitioners about how best to structure and practice integrative medicine. This study aimed to learn more about providers' attitudes and behaviors towards integrative medicine.
Can antioxidant vitamins help prevent and treat cancer? — June 2006
A systematic review of past research suggests there is not enough evidence to conclude that the use of supplements of vitamin C or vitamin E helps prevent and/or treat cancer in the populations tested.
Complementary and alternative medicine in U.S. hospitals — May 2006
In response to consumer demand, hospitals in the United States are increasingly offering complementary and alternative medical services in addition to traditional medical practices.
New study finds no link between omega-3 fatty acids and lower incidence of cancer — January 2006
Consuming food or dietary supplements such as fish oil that contain omega-3 fatty acids provides no protection against developing cancer.
News release
Related article at medpagetoday.com
Omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with reduced risk of dementia — January 2006
This study finds that there is not enough data to conclude that omega-3 fatty acids have an effect on cognitive function in normal aging or on the incidence or treatment of dementia, however, there is a possible reduction in the risk of dementia.
Challenges in reviewing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics — June 2005
Alternative medicine continues to grow in the U.S. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality devotes a substantial part of its program to systematic reviews of CAM and finds that those reviews present different challenges from those conducted on western medicine.
Treating low back pain — June 2005
The authors comment on a recent Lancet article that compares outcomes of patients with low back pain of less than 12 weeks' duration assigned to receive either manual physiotherapy or pain management.
Physicians remain unconvinced about alternative medicine programs — April 2005
Though U.S. medical schools are increasing their programs in alternative and complementary medicine, primary care physicians' referrals to such programs are still relatively low.
Weight loss surgery helps severely obese people lose more weight than diet and exercise — April 2005
A new study finds that severely obese people who undergo weight loss surgery typically lose about 45 to 65 pounds and maintain their lower weight for 10 years or longer. A related study reports that weight loss drugs promote moderate weight loss when prescribed along with recommendations for dieting and exercise among patients who are less severely overweight.
Using herbal medicine to treat depression — March 2005
A study of primary care patients with symptoms of depression and anxiety found that about 10% of them were using herbal medicines. These patients tended to have a diagnosis of major depression and were better educated.
Chiropractors are here to stay — March 2005
Doctors of chiropractic have firmly established themselves within the health care system in the United States and Canada and are able to attract patients who come to them directly for treatment, largely for back-related conditions, and who are willing to pay for their care.
Ephedra—is it worth the risk? — December 2003
At the request of the Department of Health and Human Services, researchers in the Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center (EPC) reviewed the available scientific evidence about the safety of ephedra and ephedrine as dietary supplements.
Using alternative medicine to treat HIV — June 2003
This study used data from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS) to investigate the characteristics associated with use of complementary and alternative medicine for HIV treatment. Use was higher for people who were gay/lesbian, had incomes over $40,000, lived in the Northeast and West, were depressed, and wanted more decisionmaking involvement in their care.
Journal reprint at ajph.org
More on the HCSUS project
Spinal manipulation is no more effective than conventional treatments for low back pain — June 2003
Massage may be effective and save money according to a newly released report that updates-and contradicts-the findings of research conducted at RAND in 1992.
Patient information about ephedra — June 2003
RAND recently reviewed the available health studies about the efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine. The Journal of the American Medical Association, which published the study findings, has prepared a special page for patients that summarizes the study findings and provides links to more information.
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