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Message from the Director: Public Mission
Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:55:51 -0500
Yesterday, NCCAM and the National Center for Health Statistics released the results of a survey on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the United States. The report confirms that CAM practices are a frequently used component of Americans health care regimens. Whether people use CAM for chronic health conditions or to prevent disease and maintain wellness, these approaches are a part of health care in America today.
Brain-Imaging Study Explores Analgesic Effect of Acupuncture
Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:37:25 -0500
Although acupuncture has long been used to relieve pain, scientific understanding of how acupuncture might achieve an analgesic effect is incomplete. Previous research has linked acupuncture's effects to the neuronal networks and opioid (pain response) systems of the brain. In light of these findings, NCCAM-funded researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital recently used two imaging technologies—functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET)—to investigate how specific areas of the brain might be involved in acupuncture analgesia.
Green Tea May Help Protect Against Rheumatoid Arthritis
Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:36:28 -0500
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects more than 2.1 million Americans. It is characterized by joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes joint destruction. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the standard treatment for RA, but their prolonged use is associated with adverse effects and discomfort. Natural plant alternatives like green tea are being investigated for the management of RA. Green tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, and its polyphenols (substances rich in antioxidants) possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - current issue

eCAM: An Emerging Linkage with Ethnopharmacology?
Cooper, E. L. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0000

Second World Ayurveda Congress (Theme: Ayurveda for the Future)--Inaugural Address: Part III
Mashelkar, R. A. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0000

A Review of CAM for Procedural Pain in Infancy: Part I. Sucrose and Non-nutritive Sucking
Tsao, J. C. I., Evans, S., Meldrum, M., Altman, T., Zeltzer, L. K. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0000
There is increasing concern regarding the number of painful medical procedures that infants must undergo and the potential risks of alleviating infant pain with conventional pharmacologic agents. This article is Part I of a two-part series that aims to provide an overview of the literature on complementary and alternative (CAM) approaches for pain and distress related to medical procedures among infants up to six weeks of age. The focus of this article is a review of the empirical literature on sucrose with or without non-nutritive sucking (NNS) for procedural pain in infancy. Computerized databases were searched for relevant studies including prior reviews and primary trials. The most robust evidence was found for the analgesic effects of sucrose with or without NNS on minor procedural pain in healthy full-term infants. Despite some methodological weaknesses, the literature to date supports the use of sucrose, NNS and other sweetened solutions for the management of procedural pain in infancy.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - Latest articles

Use of complementary and alternative medicines for children with chronic health conditions in Lagos, Nigeria
Kazeem A Oshikoya, Idowu O Senbanjo, Olisamedua F Njokanma and Ayo Soipe Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is on the increase globally with a high prevalence in children and adults with chronic illnesses. Many studies have evaluated the epidemiology of medicine use for children in developing countries but none has evaluated the use of CAM for children with chronic illnesses. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence, pattern of use, parental sources of information, perceived benefits, cost, and adverse effects of CAM in children with epilepsy, sickle cell anaemia and asthma in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: Parents of children with epilepsy (122), asthma (78) or sickle cell anaemia (118) who presented consecutively to the paediatric neurology, respiratory and haematology clinics of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja were interviewed with a structured open- and close-ended questionnaire. The information obtained comprised the demography of both the patients and their parents; past and present treatments received by the patients; the type of CAM, if any, used by the patients; and the sources, cost, benefits and adverse effects of the CAM used. Results: A total of 303 CAMs were used by the patients, either alone or in combination with other CAM. CAM was reportedly used by 99 (31%) patients (epilepsy -38%, sickle cell anaemia - 36% and asthma - 25%). The majority (84%) of these patients were currently using CAM. The use of CAM was stopped six months prior to the study by 16 patients (16%). Biological products were the most frequently used CAMs (58%), followed by alternative medical systems (27%) and mind-body interventions (14%). Relations, friends and neighbours had a marked influence on 76% of the parents who used CAM for their children. Eighty-five (86%) parents were willing to discuss the use of CAM with their doctors but were not asked. CAM use was associated with adverse reactions in 7.1% of the patients. Conclusions: Parental use of CAMs to treat their children with epilepsy, asthma and sickle cell anaemia is common in Nigeria. Efforts should be made by doctors taking care of these patients to identify those CAM therapies that are beneficial, harmless and cheap for possible integration with conventional therapy.
Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Patients' Attitudes and Acceptability
Lynsey R Harris and Lesley Roberts Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a highly prevalent chronic disorder, places significant burden on the health service and the individual. Symptomatic distress and reduced quality of life are compounded by few efficacious treatments available. As researchers continue to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of alternative therapies, it would be useful to gain a patient-perspective of treatment acceptability and identify patient's attitudes towards those modalities considered not acceptable. Methods: Six hundred and forty-five participants identified from an earlier IBS-prevalence study received a postal questionnaire to evaluate preferences and acceptability of nine forms of treatment. Proportions accepting each form of treatment were calculated and thematic analysis of qualitative data undertaken. Results: A total of 256 (39.7%) of 645 potential respondents completed the questionnaire (mean age 55.9 years, 73% female). Tablets were most acceptable (84%), followed by lifestyle changes (diet (82%), exercising (77%)). Acupuncture (59%) and suppositories (57%) were less acceptable. When explaining lack of acceptability, patient views fell into four broad categories: dislike treatment modality, do not perceive benefit, general barriers and insufficient knowledge. Scepticism, lack of scientific rationale and fear of CAM were mentioned, although others expressed a dislike of conventional medical treatments. Past experiences, age and health concerns, and need for proof of efficacy were reported. Conclusions: Most patients were willing to accept various forms of treatment. However, the reservations expressed by this patient-population must be recognised with particular focus directed towards allaying fears and misconceptions, seeking further evidence base for certain therapies and incorporating physician support and advice.
Antimicrobial activities of pomegranate rind extracts: enhancement by addition of metal salts and vitamin C
Erin M McCarrell, Simon WJ Gould, Mark D Fielder, Alison F Kelly, Waffa El Sankary and Declan P Naughton Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Punica granatum L. or pomegranates, have been reported to have antimicrobial activity against a range of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Pomegranate formulations containing ferrous salts have enhanced although short-term, antibacteriophage activities which are rapidly diminished owing to instability of the ferrous combination. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activities of combinations of pomegranate rind extracts (PRE) with a range of metals salts with the added stabiliser vitamin C. Methods: PRE solutions, prepared by blending rind sections with distilled water prior to sterilisation by autoclaving or filtration, were screened with a disc diffusion assay using penicillin G as a control. Suspension assays were used to determine the antimicrobial activities of PRE alone and in combination with salts of the following metals; Fe (II), Cu (II), Mn (II) or Zn (II), and vitamin C, against a panel of microbes following exposure for 30 mins. The test organisms included Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis. Results: The screening assay demonstrated that PRE exhibited activity against the Gram positive organisms at 24 h with no observable effect on any of the Gram negative bacteria. However, after 12 h, zones of inhibition were only observed for Ps. aeruginosa. In contrast, using the suspension assay, addition of Cu (II) salts to PRE solutions extended the activities resulting in no detectable growth being observed for the PRE/Cu (II) combination against E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis. Minimal antimicrobial activity was observed following incubation with Fe (II), Mn (II) or Zn (II) salts alone or in combination with PRE against any of the organisms in the test panel. The addition of vitamin C markedly enhanced the activities of both PRE/Fe (II) and PRE/Cu (II) combinations against S. aureus. Conclusion: This is the first report demonstrating the enhanced efficacy of PRE/metal salt combinations in the presence of the stabilising agent vitamin C, to which all isolates were sensitive with the exception of B. subtilis. This study has validated the exploration of PRE along with additives such as metal salts and vitamin C as novel antimicrobial combinations.

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