title: Complementary and alternative medicine. Part I: Clinical studies in obstetrics.
abstract: Studies in which complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions were used in the care of obstetric patients were identified by searching The National Library of Medicine's electronic database. This paper is a selected review of both randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials. There are a number of CAM therapeutic practices that may have potential benefit for patients. Additional clinical research with appropriate scientific methodology is warranted to determine the merit and value of integrating some CAM modalities into conventional medical obstetric care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Chez
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Jonas
mesh_terms: D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation