Findings on CAM from Systematic Reviews

Findings on CAM from Systematic Reviews
Systematic reviews on CAM for LBP may be divided into two categories:

Cochrane Systematic Reviews. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit organization of health care professionals. Its authors use a systematic process to analyze the results of clinical trials and other sources to explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of health care treatments. Topics pertaining to CAM for LBP include:

Findings on CAM from Systematic Reviews
Systematic reviews on CAM for LBP may be divided into two categories:
Cochrane Systematic Reviews. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit organization of health care professionals. Its authors use a systematic process to analyze the results of clinical trials and other sources to explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of health care treatments. Topics pertaining to CAM for LBP include:
Massage
Herbal medicine
Spinal manipulative therapy
Acupuncture
Chiropractic interventions
Behavioral treatments (including some mind-body therapies).

Other Systematic Reviews: The CAM on PubMed database, a service of NCCAM and the National Library of Medicine, provides abstracts of systematic reviews published in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. Examples of relevant review topics include:

Spinal manipulation and mobilization
Osteopathic manipulative treatment
Acupuncture
Herbal and other dietary supplements
Willow bark
Devil's claw
Spa therapy and balneotherapy (treatment based on bathing in water).

Two of the themes that are consistent throughout the body of systematic reviews on CAM for LBP are that the evidence evaluated is limited—for example, in its quantity or quality—and that more high-quality research is needed.

Specific areas for future research in CAM for LBP include the cost-effectiveness of CAM therapies; head-to-head comparisons of therapies and studies of the effectiveness of CAM therapies versus usual care; and the optimal form, duration, and frequency for treatments.

Specific areas for future research in CAM for LBP include the cost-effectiveness of CAM therapies; head-to-head comparisons of therapies and studies of the effectiveness of CAM therapies versus usual care; and the optimal form, duration, and frequency for treatments.

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NIH March, 2009 newsletter