title: Clinical trials in integrative therapies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review clinical trials in natural products and mind-body therapies for oncology symptom management, to discuss issues related to developing clinical trials in this area, and outline examples of rigorous and innovative study design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peer reviewed literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the evidence for the integrative therapies reviewed is derived from phase II trials, and is considered preliminary. More research is needed in these therapies to clearly articulate their role in the management of oncology symptoms. Innovative strategies and methodologies for studying integrative therapies have been demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is necessary to critically evaluate the literature to be able to educate patients about integrative therapies. Investigators should expand on well-designed studies that demonstrate clinically important effects. Dissemination trials may be a good strategy, once data exists, to move integrative therapies into the care of patients.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. barton.debra@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Deirdre R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Pachman
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D009859:Oncology Nursing