Alternative Medicine Under the Microscope (Part 2)

One of the poor lights shined on alternative medicine recently was an investigation into a 2004 Harvard Medical School study that claimed yoga therapy was almost a cure-all for such problems such as heart and lung disease, depression, back pain, diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer. Using 181 papers in their research as accurate reports, the investigation found that only 40 percent of those used controlled trials—testing the method against a random placebo group that is not using the method over a strict period of time—which are the most effective way to discern whether a certain drug or supplement is working positively and safely on the user group so it has a better chance of being approved for commercial use. Most of these studies too, were based on groups with a very small number of volunteers, proving that a positive could mean any number of other factors could have influenced the result. It’s because of these small numbers that Dr. Briggs is taking care to provide a better controlled testing group for her clinical trials so as to not inspire any more criticism.

In fact, one of the NCCAM’s biggest trials set to end in 2009 involves multiple research centers in California working with over 3,000 patients over the age of 75 to test the effects of ginkgo biloba extract against the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Briggs continues that another way to progress in their trials is to stay consistent with product uniformity due to past studies which have used samples of vitamins, powders and extracts that had the percentage of the active ingredient misidentified, which could also yield unexpected results.

Even though the finger is wagging strongly in her direction, Dr. Briggs still thinks that alternative medicine trials can prove beneficial, “I believe that as the sensitivities of our measures improve, we’ll do a better job at detecting these modest but important effects.” I am glad to see NCCAM doing their best to work with the government to provide more accurate numbers for research but I wonder if spending all this money on clinical trials for alternative medicine will yield the same economical results as Western medicine. Instead of a health-conscious consumer throwing away money on pills or diet drinks, if yoga makes you feel better, would the absence of hard evidence be harmful? Alternative medicine ultimately is about healing the mind and the body and focusing on healthy complements to western medicine’s ideals, not about knowing the statistical analysis a daily glass of wine or a back adjustment has on your wellness scale.