Decisions and Challenges: Generating Objective Evidence in Integrative Health Research

• Activity Number: 417
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Biometrics Section
• Author(s): Qian H. Li* and Kerry Lee* and Tor Tosteson* and Claudia Witt* and Ming Tan*
• Companies: NCCAM/NIH and Duke University and Dartmouth College and University of Zurich and Georgetown University
• Keywords: Complementary and integrative health ; Study Design and statistical analyses

Abstract

Despite extensive use of acupuncture, chiropractic, meditation, pre/probiotics, yoga and other complementary and alternative practices, better levels of evidence are needed for better decision making. Statistical methodology for objectively developing and interpreting evidence has received renewed attention. Research on complementary and integrative health can be challenging, as the pre-existing knowledge is variable, and the intervention delivery can require particular attention. Broader discussion in the statistical community about the design and analytic challenges in integrative health research could provide new insights,inform better study designs, and foster new statistical methodologies to handle these challenges. A panel of experienced investigators that have conducted research in these areas for back pain, diabetic cardiovascular risk, and other conditions will discuss the challenges in study design and statistical analyses noted in a set of high profile studies. The panel will also explore designs for multi-modality therapies, as well as new approaches to establishing clinically relevant and objective evidence for integrative health practices.