title: A systematic review of evidence for the effectiveness of practitioner-based complementary and alternative therapies in the management of rheumatic diseases: osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To critically review the evidence on the efficacy and effectiveness of practitioner-based complementary therapies for patients with osteoarthritis. We excluded t'ai chi and acupuncture, which have been the subject of recent reviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trials, published in English up to May 2011, were identified using systematic searches of bibliographic databases and searching of reference lists. Information was extracted on outcomes, statistical significance in comparison with alternative treatments and reported side effects. The methodological quality of the identified studies was determined using the Jadad scoring system. Outcomes considered were pain and patient global assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 16 eligible trials were identified covering 12 therapies. Overall, there was no good evidence of the effectiveness of any of the therapies in relation to pain or global health improvement/quality of life because most therapies only had a single randomized controlled trial. Where positive results were reported, they were often comparing an active intervention with no intervention. Therapies with multiple trials either provided null (biofeedback) or inconsistent results (magnet therapy), or the trials available scored poorly for quality (chiropractic). There were few adverse events reported in the trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is not sufficient evidence to recommend any of the practitioner-based complementary therapies considered here for the management of OA, but neither is there sufficient evidence to conclude that they are not effective or efficacious.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research (Epidemiology Group), School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, UK. g.j.macfarlane@abdn.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paudyal
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.forename: Edzard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewith
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: MacPherson
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.forename: Gareth T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome