Why research is important in TCIM
Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) encompasses a very diverse range of health-supporting modalities, some with a very long history of use (many centuries for acupuncture for example) and some newer techniques that build on older traditions, such as mindfulness practice, developed from the ancient practice of medication. Health research, whether in mainstream ‘conventional’ medicine, or TCIM, involves organising systematic collection of data in a controlled way, so that the results can be relied upon to give a valid picture of the intervention being studied. It’s particularly important to develop this research evidence for TCIM so that mainstream healthcare professionals can be assured of safe appropriate use of TCIM by their patients. We know from surveys that using TCIM is actually very common, whether it’s having a massage, using essential oils and herbal teas, or taking part in a yoga class. At SaTA, we help to support and connect research communities and develop skills, to gather evidence about TCIM. Research can explore how different TCIM modalities might work, their possible benefits, and it can support safe use.
Definitions of TCIM
'Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a title used to refer to a diverse group of health-related therapies and disciplines which are not considered to be a part of mainstream medical care' (House of Lords, 2000).
'Complementary and alternative medicines are treatments that fall outside of mainstream healthcare' (NHS, 2016)
'Complementary medicine (CM) is a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems, modalities, and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period. CM includes all such practices and ideas self-defined by their users as preventing or treating illness or promoting health and well-being. Boundaries within CM and between the CM domain and that of the dominant system are not always sharp or fixed.' (Zollman & Vickers).
'The terms "Science and Traditions" or "alternative medicine" are used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries. They refer to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country's own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system' (WHO, 2000).
'traditional medicine is the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness' (WHO, 2000).
'Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems, modalities, and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period' (Wieland, 2011).
'CAM, as utilized by European citizens, represents a variety of different medical systems and therapies based on the knowledge, skills and practices derived from theories, philosophies and experiences used to maintain and improve health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, relieve or treat physical and mental illnesses. CAM therapies are mainly used outside conventional health care, but in many countries some therapies are being adopted or adapted by conventional health care' (Uehleke et al., 2012).
'Those forms of treatment which are not widely used by the conventional healthcare professions, and the skills of which are not taught as part of the undergraduate curriculum of conventional medical and paramedical healthcare courses' (BMA, 1993).
'Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) refers to non-mainstream practices that are used together with, in place of, or in coordination with conventional medicine, respectively' (NCCIH, 2021).
- BMA (British Medical Association)., (1993). Complementary Medicine: New Approaches to Good Practice. UK: Oxford University Press.
- House of Lords, Select Committee on Science and Technology., (2000). Sixth report. Complementary and alternative medicine. London: House of Lords.
- NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)., (2021). Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name? USA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name
- Ng, J.Y., Dhawan, T., Dogadova, E., Taghi-Zada, Z., Vacca, A., Wieland, S.L., Moher, D. (2022) Operational definition of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine derived from a systematic search. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies volume 22, Article number: 104
- Ng, J.Y., Dhawan, T., Dogadova, E., Taghi-Zada, Z., Vacca, A., Fajardo, R., Masood, HA., Patel, R., Sunderji, S., Wieland, L. S., Moher, D. (2022) A comprehensive search string informed by an operational definition of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine for systematic bibliographic database search strategies. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 22, Article number: 200
- Uehleke, B., Falkenberg, T., von Ammon, K., Lewith, G., Lazarus, A., Roberti di Sarsina, P., (2012). A pan-European research network for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. CAMbrella.
- WHO., (2000). General Guides for Methodologies on Research and Evaluation of Traditional Medicine. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- Wieland, L.S., Manheimer, E., Berman, B.M., (2011). Development and classification of an operational definition of complementary and alternative medicine for the Cochrane Collaboration. Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 17.(2), 50.
- Zollman, C., Vickers, A., (1999). What is Science and Traditions? BMJ. 319. (693).