title: Efficacy of selected complementary and alternative medicine interventions for chronic pain.
abstract: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, therapies, and products that are not presently considered part of conventional medicine. This article provides an up-to-date review of the efficacy of selected CAM modalities in the management of chronic pain. Findings are presented according to the classification system developed by the National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (formerly Office of Alternative Medicine) and are grouped into four domains: biologically based medicine, energy medicine, manipulative and body-based medicine, and mind-body medicine. Homeopathy and acupuncture are discussed separately as "whole or professionalized CAM practices." Based on the guidelines of the Clinical Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, findings indicate that some CAM modalities have a solid track record of efficacy, whereas others are promising but require additional research. The article concludes with recommendations to pain practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Anesthesiology Care Line (145), Department of Anesthesiology, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center (VAMC), 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA. tan.gabriel@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Craine
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bair
authors.forename: M Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Shelley M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: Wright
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Jennie C I
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tsao
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management