title: Future directions of CAM research in pediatric oncology.
abstract: Children with cancer are using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to relieve symptoms, reduce side effects of treatment, and cope with the emotional aspects of having a life-threatening illness. Parental decisions about using CAM should be based on studies of efficacy and safety. Unfortunately, little evidence of efficacy is available for the majority of CAM therapies. This article discusses the methodological challenges to conducting CAM research in children and the evidence needed to support integrative medicine in pediatric oncology.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota School of Nursing, USA. postw001@umn.edu
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Post-White
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hawks
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Mara
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ott
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000639:trends*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends*; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety