Clinical Research in Complementary Medicine: the importance of patient-selection

Author(s): Kramers, C., van, W. , R

Abstract: Several methodological problems are encountered in the setting up of clinical trials in the field of complementary medicine. In this article the problems associated with the selection of a homogenous group of patients, which is to be included in a clinical trial, are discussed.Three categories of clinical trials are discerned, depending on whether or not attention has been paid to the complementary therapeutic system under study when selection of patients took place. Results of some examples from these categories of trials are discussed. It will be stressed that in an optimal trial the group of patients should not only be homogenous from the point of view of orthodox medicine, but also from the point of view of the complementary therapist.Finally to achieve such a goal, several fields of research are emphasised.

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