NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP - CLINICAL RESEARCH IN AYURVEDA

[Guest guest]

NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP - CLINICAL RESEARCH IN AYURVEDA

December 2009

 

This is the discussion forum for a National level Consultative Workshop proposed

to be held in December 2009 for developing (statistically informed) guidelines

for Clinical Research in Ayurveda. The workshop will be jointly initiated by

the Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, FRLHT, Bangalore,

South-Asian Cochrane (based at CMC- Vellore), INCLEN Trust, New-Delhi,

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, NIMS, Hyderabad, Centre for Rheumatic

Diseases, Pune and C-DAC, Pune. (Please visit

http://www.frlht.org/workshop/index.htm for further details)

 

Discriminating observers of the clinical research scenario in Ayurveda are

pointing out that clinical studies carried out in the last several decades, are

not actually designed to evaluate Ayurvedic propositions. In most cases they

tend to pick up bits and pieces of the holistic, multi-dimensional Ayurvedic

approaches to health care and it is these bits and pieces that are subjected to

clinical trials. Therefore, irrespective of the results of these trials they are

unlikely to prove the efficacy of the Ayurvedic knowledge system.

 

Today, there are new models and research designs in bio-statistics to handle

multi-dimensional clinical trials and leading researchers worldwide in the field

of CAM are using these innovative statistical models. In order to be a

significant contributor in to the CAM movement, that is witnessing an

unprecedented surge world over, Ayurveda and Yoga needs to rigorously engage in

generating trans-disciplinary evidence that is essential to facilitate

communication, appreciation and acceptance of Ayurveda globally.

 

This is a new and complex task because it requires assimilation of the

disciplinary knowledge of Ayurveda (which is a systemic theory) and its

translation and correlation with western bio-medicine (which is a structural

theory). The correlation between two knowledge systems can certainly be

discovered because biological fields and structures contained therein are

related, but the key is to appreciate that systemic and structural parameters do

not share a one to one correlation. Clinical Research in Ayurveda should be

guided by this fundamental understanding for it to be meaningful.

 

The National Consultative Workshop (planned in December 2009) will have

representations from various stakeholders like Ayurveda Hospital Groups,

Pharmaceutical industry, Clinical Research Organizations, faculty members of

Universities and affiliated colleges, Post-Graduate researchers,

Bio-statisticians and practicing Ayurveda vaidyas develop a comprehensive set of

guidelines (CONSORT like) to drive Clinical Research in this field.

 

You may use this discussion board for the following purposes:

 

1. Post your comments on the draft white paper on Clinical Research in Ayurveda.

2. Post your comments on the draft guidelines for Clinical Research in Ayurveda.

3. Post any information or general comments, views or observations that you feel

is relevant in the realm of clinical research in Ayurveda.

 

We urge you to pass on this information to all serious Clinical Researchers of

Ayurveda, Bio-statisticians, domain experts and encourage them to post their

views and comments, which shall be discussed in the Workshop and relevant points

will be considered while framing the white paper and guidelines.

 

Clinical Research Unit, IAIM-FRLHT,

#74/2, Jarakbande Kaval,

Post Attur, Via Yelahanka,

BANGALORE - 560 064

Ph: (080) 2856 8000 / 2856 8001 / 2856 8003