Positive Health Online

Abstract

OH and co-workers, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, have studied the research trends in CAM.
Background: The aim of this study was to describe the research trends of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Korea and internationally.

Background

Methodology

A systematic review of CAM related literature published from 2000 to 2005 was done. A comprehensive search by using 34 CAM modalities as search terms was undertaken from 4 databases. A total of 588 abstracts and 223 original articles were reviewed by two independent reviewers. Data regarding the types of study design, characteristics of subjects and researchers, and classification of CAM modalities was recorded. The outcome measures of CAM were identified.

Results

CAM research has been rapidly increasing worldwide in the last decade. In Korea, nursing(53.5%) followed by medicine(42.7%) occupied the majority of CAM research in comparison to medicine(42.9%) and disciplines in CAM(25.0%), like homeopathy, internationally. Prevailing research designs in Korea were experimental and quasi-experimental. Some randomized clinical trials were found. Internationally, survey research was dominant, with the exception of randomized clinical trials that were mostly an experimental design.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that a robust research design in CAM research is needed to accumulate strong scientific evidence from CAM modalities.

References

Oh K, Kim KS, Kwon S-H, Park JW. Research trend of complementary and alternative medicine.  Daehan Ganho Haghoeji 36 (5): 721-731, Aug 2006.