Both sides in this argument assume that the treatment recommended by the practitioner is the only active ingredient in the consultation. Placebo, having no active ingredient, is offered by one side, and accepted by the other as a term of abuse. Neither side considers that personalities, words, or behaviour have a legitimate effect on outcomes, or that many questions arising in consultations wil...

Background. Although studies have shown that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common in cancer patients, few surveys have assessed CAM use and associated factors in various cancers in Korea. Objectives. We explored factors predicting CAM use among a nationally representative sample of cancer patients. Methods. In total, 2,661 cancer patients were administered questionn...

The present study investigated the experiences of users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) using a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 frequent users and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results indicated that the patient-practitioner relationship and explanatory frameworks provided by CAM were perceived as important compon...

Most complementary medicine is distinguished by not being supported by underlying theory accepted by Western science. However, for those who accept their validity, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities offer clues to understanding physiology and medicine more deeply. Ayurveda and vibrational medicine are stimulating new approaches to biological regulation. The new biophysics c...

This brief deals with World Health Organization (WHO) policy with regard to traditional and complementary medicine. The WHO said in 2005: “Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine attract the full spectrum of reaction, from uncritical enthusiasm to uninformed scepticism. Yet use of traditional medicine (TM) remains widespread in developing countries, while use of complementary and al...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To describe oncology nurses' experiences with patients communicating interest in or use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies along with oncology nurses' CAM resources and educational interests. DESIGN National mailed survey. SETTING A national medical center and research institute. SAMPLE A random sample of 850 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) members...

BACKGROUND Studies investigating Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) prevalence are outdated and are generalized across different demographic groups due to their national scope. Determining trends among specific populations is necessary to gain insight into the growing popularity of CAM. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and factors associated with CAM use among Canadian univers...

It is often stated, paradoxically, that a treatment is not effective when trials have shown a placebo effect. This should be rephrased 'that the tested treatment is not more effective than the placebo' if we are not to confuse ourselves and the public in the current debate on complementary and alternative medicine.