Clinical trials can provide vital information about the safety and effectiveness of complementary therapies. The number of well-designed clinical trials on complementary therapies is growing quickly. These trials take place across the country (and around the world) in many types of medical centers and hospitals.
Benefits and risks of taking part in a clinical trial
Taking part in a clinical trial gives you the chance to use a complementary therapy in a well-monitored setting. It also advances scientific knowledge that can help others in the future.
It is important to discuss joining a clinical trial with your health care provider, whether it’s for a complementary therapy or conventional treatment. He/she can discuss the benefits and any risks with you.
Finding a clinical trial of complementary therapies
The websites below are good resources for finding information on clinical trials of complementary therapies.
BreastCancerTrials.org
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Library of Medicine
National Cancer Institute
Each website has a slightly different focus, so be sure to visit them all to get a complete picture of the clinical trials currently being offered. Use the search tools of these websites to narrow the list of trials to your interests. Then discuss this information with your health care provider.
Learn more about clinical trials.
Updated 04/27/12
