Current challenges in appraising complementary medicine evidence.

Abstract

Increased research in the area of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is urgently required, in addition to a balanced appraisal and communication of the state of evidence in the field. Current challenges for clinicians and the public in accepting purported CAM evidence concern potential selective publication of results, marked differences in product quality and standardisation, and some companies making unsubstantiated claims. To improve confidence in the industry, companies must publish all results and only make substantiated claims. In addition, providing intellectual property protection to CAM companies may encourage greater investment in research; however, more accountability of study results is critical.