Int J Clin Pract. 2001 Jul-Aug; 55(6): 376-9.

Research into complementary/alternative medicine: an attempt to dispel the myths.

Ernst E.

Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Exeter, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter EX2 4NT, UK.

The high level of popularity of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) renders rigorous research into its efficacy and safety an important task. A House of Lords select committee called for more CAM research and for the establishment of UK centres of excellence to carry it out. In view of the otherwise dire funding situation, this would be a necessary step. This initiative should be complemented by CAM professional bodies setting up their own research budgets. Any central body overseeing CAM research has to be seen to be rigorous and impartial. Strong opinions which often dominate CAM can be a hindrance to good research. Evidence-based CAM should no longer remain a contradiction in terms.