Complementary Medicine The Evidence So Far A documentation of our clinically relevant research 1993 - 2010 (Last updated: January 2011) Complementary Medicine Peninsula Medical School Universities of Exeter & Plymouth 25 Victoria Park Road Exeter EX2 4NT Websites: http://sites.pcmd.ac.uk/compmed/ http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/fact E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1392 424989 Fax: +44 (0) 1392 427562 2 PC2/Report/DeptBrochure/Evidence17 14/02/2011 3 Contents 1 Introduction................................................................................................................11 1.1 Background and history of Complementary Medicine...............................................................11 1.2 Aims.................................................................................................................................................11 1.3 Research topics................................................................................................................................11 1.4 Research tools..................................................................................................................................11 1.5 Background on the possibility of closure in May 2011..............................................................12 2 The use of complementary medicine (CM)..............................................................13 2.1 General populations........................................................................................................................13 2.2 Elderly individuals..........................................................................................................................14 2.3 Patient populations..........................................................................................................................14 2.4 Indications........................................................................................................................................15 3 Research funding .......................................................................................................16 4 Effectiveness of complementary therapies in specific conditions ..........................17 4.1 Aerobic capacity ( 1 systematic review ) ........................................................................................17 4.2 Addictions ( 1 editorial/1 systematic review ) ...............................................................................17 4.3 Alcohol hangover ( 1 systematic review) ......................................................................................17 4.4 Anxiety ( 3 systematic reviews/1 clinical trial ).............................................................................18 4.4.1 Kava .............................................................................................................................18 4.4.2 Autogenic training........................................................................................................18 4.4.3 Herbal remedies ...........................................................................................................19 4.4.4 Hypnotherapy...............................................................................................................19 4.5 Arthritis ( 2 systematic reviews ) .....................................................................................................19 4.5.1 Nutrition.......................................................................................................................19 4.5.2 Antioxidants.................................................................................................................20 4.6 Asthma ( 2 surveys/6 systematic reviews/2 clinical trials )..........................................................20 4.6.1 Acupuncture.................................................................................................................20 4.6.2 Chiropractic..................................................................................................................21 4.6.3 Herbal medicine ...........................................................................................................21 4.6.4 Breathing techniques....................................................................................................21 4.6.5 Relaxation techniques ..................................................................................................22 4.6.6 Homoeopathy...............................................................................................................22 4.7 Allergic rhinitis (1 systematic review) ..........................................................................................22 4.8 Autism (1 systematic review)........................................................................................................23 4.9 Cancer ( 1 clinical trial/23 reviews) ...............................................................................................23 4.9.1 Acupuncture.................................................................................................................24 4.9.2 Aromatherapy...............................................................................................................25 4.9.3 Carctol..........................................................................................................................25 4.9.4 Co-enzyme Q10 ...........................................................................................................25 4.9.5 Guided Imagery............................................................................................................25 4.9.6 Green tea ......................................................................................................................26 4.9.7 Homeopathy.................................................................................................................26 4.9.8 Massage........................................................................................................................26 4.9.9 Moxibustion .................................................................................................................27 4.9.10 Various treatments .......................................................................................................27 4.9.11 Palliative care...............................................................................................................27 4.9.12 Herbal medicine ...........................................................................................................28 4.9.13 Tai chi ..........................................................................................................................28 4.9.14 Thymus therapy............................................................................................................28 PC2/Report/DeptBrochure/Evidence17 14/02/2011 4 4.9.15 Qigong..........................................................................................................................29 4.9.16 Mistletoe ......................................................................................................................29 4.9.17 Laetrile .........................................................................................................................30 4.9.18 CAM for breast cancer: recommendations ..................................................................30 4.9.19 Reflexology..................................................................................................................31 4.9.20 CAM for breast cancer: the evidence...........................................................................31 4.10 Carpel Tunnel syndrome ( 1 systematic review )...........................................................................31 4.11 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( 1 systematic review )..................................................32 4.12 Congestive heart failure ( 1 systematic review ) ............................................................................32 4.13 Cognitive function of healthy volunteers (1 clinical trial/3 systematic reviews) .....................33 4.13.1 Ginkgo biloba...............................................................................................................33 4.13.2 Transcendental meditation ...........................................................................................34 4.14 Constipation ( 2 systematic reviews )..............................................................................................34 4.15 Coronary heart disease etc (2 clinical trials/5 systematic reviews) ............................................34 4.15.1 Acupuncture.................................................................................................................35 4.15.2 Autogenic training........................................................................................................35 4.15.3 Chelation therapy .........................................................................................................36 4.15.4 Herbal medicine ...........................................................................................................36 4.15.5 Music therapy...............................................................................................................36 4.15.6 Tai chi ..........................................................................................................................37 4.16 Delayed onset muscle soreness