Experimental clinical trials of TCM

[Guest guest]

Hi Robert & All,

 

I wrote:

> my concept of Integrative medicine is NOT the miserable facade

> that exists today. It is based on true RESPECT for the skills and

> methods of colleagues in the different modalities, + REAL

> undergraduate exposure to the methods, strengths and weaknesses of

> all the available disciplines.

>

 

Robert replied:

> your vision is a beautiful one! At my old job, " integration " meant

> the patient would come to see me right after the cortisone

> injections. Right now it's all about marketing because the

> consumers want some complementary therapies... but seldom is the

> protocol " try acumoxa first " for conditions which may respond well

> to it. Usually it's " try acumoxa if nothing else is working " or

> " throw it in with everything else " .

 

Robert, I've been there, and have the T-shirt! Many of the horses

that I treat with AP have been treated unsuccessfully by one or

more conventionally trained vets beforehand.

 

> First, of course, we need to figure out which cases are most

> appropriate for any given modality and then present some kind of

> convincing evidence for the people who write the checks. That in

> and of itself may take years... robert

 

Agreed. meanwhile, could we persuade a few major hospitals and

universities to open EXPERIMENTAL clinics, say for pain,

Gynaecology, and other main indications for TCM?

 

These clinics would be staffed by TCM-trained acupuncturists and

herbalists. Patient assessment before and after Tx would be by a

panel of WM and TCM practitioners, blinded as to the Tx given.

 

One could compare the statistics relating to costs and benefits of

of treating similar cases in the TCM clinics v conventional therapy

in other clinics in the SAME centres.

 

During the " research period " , patients in predetermined categories

(non-life-threatening pain, gynaecological problems, etc) would be

asked if they would like to participate in (a) a randomised clinical

trial, or (b) to opt for conventional or TCM treatment.

 

Patients in group (a) would be assigned at random (within the WM

diagnosis) to TCM (Group AT) or conventional clinic (Group AC).

 

Patients in group (b) would select the Tx clinic of their choice

(Groups BT or BC).

 

Comparison of outcomes from Group A patients would be a valid

randomised set.

 

Comparison of outcomes from Group B patients would be biased

by their choice of Tx. Nevertheless it would be a most intersting

comparison.

 

I suspect that, if numbers are large enough, outcomes from the

Group B patients would be similar to those in the Group A patients.

 

In both sets, I suspect that the clinical outcomes to TCM would be

as good as, or better than those of conventional Tx, and that the

cost benefit ratio would be far better fot the TCM-treated patients.

 

If this could be arranged, even for a limited (predetermined) period

of, say 5-10 years, if might be possible to prove the clinical value of

TCM, and its costs relative to those of conventional WM.

 

 

Best regards,

 

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