WORKSHOP Saturday, May 27, 3:15-4:45
Scientific and Methodological Issues in CAM Research
Speakers: Catherine Stoney, PhD, Margart Chesney, PhD,
April Bower, RN, MS, Joseph Betz, PhD
Researchers confront a multitude of conceptual,
scientific, design, and logistic decisions when planning and carrying
out research. Those researchers studying CAM modalities sometimes have
both unique issues to grapple with and creative solutions to offer,
and the purpose of this workshop is to present and discuss some of those
problems and to highlight those areas where creative solutions can be
identified. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM) at the NIH supports CAM research in mind-body medicine, biologically-based
practices, manipulative and body-based practices, energy medicine, and
whole medical systems. This workshop will include discussion of six
areas of scientific, conceptual, and design issues that may be of particular
relevance to investigators interested in all of these areas of CAM research.
The first presentation will include a discussion
of how NCCAM makes a determination of what specific practices and topics
fall under the category of CAM, what the research priorities of NCCAM
include, and the strategies researchers might utilize in focusing on
a particular scientific question to investigate. The second presentation
will discuss a variety of issues related to decisions regarding funding
mechanisms, resources available for researchers who are planning on
submitting an application for funding to NCCAM, and some specific CAM-related
discussion of how CAM applications are externally reviewed. The third
presentation will focus on design considerations that are particularly
relevant to CAM investigations, including the requirements that NCCAM
has implemented for investigations of botanicals and suggestions regarding
investigations of mind-body and energy medicine. The fourth presentation
will consider both the advantages and challenges of conducting interdisciplinary
and collaborative research, and will emphasize partnerships with regard
to interdisciplinary teams as well as with funding agencies. The final
presentation emphasizes the scientific and logistical issues in moving
CAM research forward, and will discuss how to optimally utilize the
NIH funding mechanisms. The overall goal is to assist investigators
in optimally designing and carrying out CAM research.