A SCIENTIFIC LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Thomas J. Wheeler, Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Louisville School of Medicine
ON-LINE READING FOR JANUARY 17, 2006
HERBS; MIND-BODY MEDICINE;
APPROACHES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH
* = required reading for students in the course
Herbs - overview
* NIH Office of Dietary Supplements “Botanical Dietary Supplements: Background Information”
Alternative Medicine Foundation HerbMed site
National Library of Medicine, “MedlinePlus” Herbs and Supplements
Garrard, J. et al. (2003) “Variations in Product Choices of Frequently Purchased Herbs” Arch. Intern. Med. 163, 2290-2295 [abstract] (documents lack of consistency in preparations of 10 most commonly purchased herbs)
O’Hara, M.A., Kiefer, D., Farrell, K. and Kemper, K. (1998) “A Review of 12 Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs” Arch. Fam. Med. 7, 523-536
NCCAM Backgounder (2005) “Do CAM Therapies Help Menopausal Symptoms? [discusses black cohosh, red clover, dong quai, ginseng, and kava]
Morris, C.A. and Avorn, J. (2003) “Internet Marketing of Herbal Products” JAMA 290, 1505-1509 [abstract]
Fugh-Berman, A. (2003) “‘Bust Enhancing’ Herbal Products” Obstet. Gynecol. 101, 1345-9 [abstract]
Wolsko, P.M. et al. (2005) “Lack of Herbal Supplement Characterization in Published Randomized Controlled Trials” Am. J. Med. 118, 1087-1093 [abstract]
Herbs - hazards (general; see also specific items)
“Twelve Supplements You Should Avoid” Consumer Reports, May 2004
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2004) “Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too”
Howe, K. (2000) “Herb Remedies: Panacea or Problem? Health officials look to improve safety, labeling in $14 billion industry” San Francisco Chronicle, June 2
Ang-Lee, M.K,, Moss, J. and Yuan, C.-S. (2001) “Herbal Medicines and Perioperative Care” JAMA 286, 208-216 [abstract]
Fugh-Berman, A. (2000) “Herb-Drug Interactions” Lancet 355, 134-138 [abstract]
Ernst, E. (2003) “Cardiovascular Adverse Effects of Herbal Medicines: A Systematic Review of the Recent Literature” Can. J. Cardiol. 19, 818-827 [abstract]
Bagnis, C.I. et al. (2004) “Herbs and the Kidney” Am. J. Kidney Dis. 44, 1-11 [abstract]
Ernst, E. (2002) “Toxic Heavy Metals and Undeclared Drugs in Asian Herbal Medicines” Trends Pharm. Sci. 23, 136-139 [abstract]
Walji, M. et al. (2004) “Efficacy of Quality Criteria to Identify Potentially Harmful Information: A Cross-sectional survey of complementary and alternative medicine web sites” J. Med. Internet Res. 6(2), e2 [analyzed sites on ginseng, ginkgo and St. John’s wort: 25% contained potentially harmful information]
Herbs - specific (individual trials listed if not covered in journal review articles)
NCCAM Herbs at a Glance (2005) “Black Cohosh”
Kligler, B. (2003) “Black Cohosh” Am. Fam. Physician 68, 114-116
Osmers, R. et al. (2005) “Efficacy and Safety of Isopropanolic Black Cohosh Extract for Climacteric Symptoms” Obstet. Gynecol. 105, 1074-1083 [abstract]
Trials of butterbur: Gray, R.D. et al. (2004) Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 93, 56-60 [abstract] [allergic rhinitis]; Lipton et al. (2004) Neurology 63, 2240-2244 [abstract] [migraine]; Schapowal et al. (2005) Phytother. Res. 19, 530-537 [abstract] [allergic rhinitis]
Federal Trade Commission (2001) “Latest FTC Case in ‘Operation Cure.All’ Focuses on Safety Risks of Comfrey Products Promoted Via Internet” Press release, July 6
Hirata, J.D., Small, R., Swiersz, L.M., Ettinger, B. and Zell, B. (1997) “Does Dong Quai Have Estrogenic Effects in Postmenopausal Women? A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial” Fertility and Sterility 68, 981-986 [abstract]
Kligler, B. (2003) “Echinacea” Am. Fam. Physician 67, 77-80, 83
NCCAM (2005) “Echinacea for the Prevention and Treatment of Colds in Adults: Research Results and Implications for Future Studies”
NCCAM Herbs at a Glance (2005) “Echinacea”
Trials of echinacea for respiratory infections: Barrett et al. (2002) Ann. Intern. Med. 137, 939-946 [abstract with link to free full text (pdf file)] (electronic journals, shelves); Taylor et al. (2003) JAMA 290, 2824-2830 [abstract] (electronic journals, shelves); Yale et al. (2004) Arch. Intern. Med. 164, 1237-1241 [abstract]; Goel et al. (2004) J. Clin. Pharm. Ther. 29, 75-83 [abstract]; Turner et al. (2005) New Engl. J. Med. 353, 341-348 [abstract]
Rados, C. (2004) “Ephedra Ban: No Shortage of Reasons” FDA Consumer, March-April, 6-7
Haller, C.A. and Benowitz, N.L. (2000) “Adverse Cardiovascular and Central Nervous System Events Associated with Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra Alkaloids” New Engl. J. Med. 343, 1833-1838 [abstract]
Shekelle, P.G. et al. (2003) “Efficacy and Safety of Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance: A Meta-analysis” JAMA 289, 1537-1545 [abstract]
McBride, B.F. et al. (2004) “Electrocardiographic and Hemodynamic Effects of a Multicomponent Dietary Supplement Containing Ephedra and Caffeine: A Randomized Controlled Trial” JAMA 291, 216-221 [abstract]
Vogler, B.K., Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E. (1998) “Feverfew as a Preventive Treatment for Migraine: a Systematic Review” Cephalalgia 18, 704-708 [abstract]
Pfaffenrath, V. et al. (2002) “The Efficacy and Safety of Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) in migraine prophylaxis - a double-blind, multicentre, randomized placebo-controlled dose-responsive study” Cephalalgia 22, 523-532 [abstract]
Ernst, E. and Pittler, M.H. (2000) “Efficacy of Ginger for Nausea and Vomiting: a Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials” Br. J. Anaesth. 84, 367-371 [abstract]
NCCAM Herbs at a Glance (2005) “Ginkgo”
Trials of ginkgo: Le Bars et al. (1997) JAMA 278, 1327-1332 [dementia] [abstract]; Oken et al. (1998) Arch. Neurol. 55, 1409-1415 [Alzheimer’s] [abstract]; Solomon et al. (2002) JAMA 288, 835-840 [memory enhancement] [abstract]; van Dongen, M. et al. (2003) J. Clin. Epidem. 56, 367-376 [dementia, memory] [abstract]
NCCAM Herbs at a Glance (2005) “Asian Ginseng”
Vogler, B.K., Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E. (1999) “The Efficacy of Ginseng. A Systematic Review of Randomised Clinical Trials” Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 55, 567-575 [abstract]
Trials of ginseng: Cardinal et al. (2001) J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 101, 655-660 [abstract]; Engels et al. (2003) Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 35, 690-696 [abstract]
Pittler, M.H., Schmidt, K. and Ernst, E. (2003) “Hawthorn Extract for Treating Chronic Heart Failure: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials Am. J. Med. 114, 665-674 [abstract]
Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E. (1998) “Horse-Chestnut Seed Extract for Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A Criteria-Based Systematic Review” Arch. Dermatol. 134, 1356-1360 [abstract]
FDA Consumer Advisory (2002) “Kava-Containing Dietary Supplements May be Associated with Severe Liver Injury
Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E. (2000) “Efficacy of Kava Extract for Treating Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” J. Clin. Pyschopharmacol. 20, 84-89 [abstract]
Jacobs, B.P. et al. (2005) “An Internet-Based Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Kava and Valerian for Anxiety and Insomnia” Medicine 84, 197-207 [abstract]
NCCAM Herbs at a Glance (2005) “St. John’s Wort”
Gaster, B. and Holroyd, J. (2000) “St John’s Wort for Depression: A Systematic Review” Arch. Intern. Med. 160, 152-156 [abstract]
Trials of St. John’s wort for mild to moderate depression: Philipp et al. (1999) BMJ 319, 1534-1539 [abstract]; Woelk, H. (2000) BMJ 321, 536-539 [abstract]
Trials of St. John’s wort for major depression: Shelton (2001) JAMA 285, 1978-1986 [abstract]; Hypericum Depression Trial Study Group (2002) JAMA 287, 1807-1814 [abstract]; Szegedi et al. (2005) BMJ 330, 503-506
Markowitz, J.S. et al. (2003) “Effect of St John’s Wort on Drug Metabolism by Induction of Cytochrome P450 3A4 Enzyme” JAMA 290, 1500-1504 [abstract]
Reviews of saw palmetto: Wilt, T.J. et al. (1998) JAMA 280, 1604-1609 [abstract]
Trials of saw palmetto: Gerber, G.S. et al. (2001) Urology 58, 960-965 [abstract]; Willetts et al. (2003) BJU Int. 92, 267-270 [abstract]
NCCAM Herbs at a Glance (2005) “Milk Thistle”
Rambaldi, A. et al. (2005) “Milk Thistle for Alcoholic and/or Hepatitis B or C Liver Diseases - A Systematic Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Review with Meta-Analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials” Am. J. Gastroenterol. 100, 2583-2591 [abstract]
Studies on benefits of tea: Cao and Cao (1999) Nature 398, 381 [anti-angiogenesis effects] [abstract]; Geleijnse et al. (1999) Arch. Intern. Med. 159, 2170-2174 [atherosclerosis] [abstract]; Duffy et al. (2001) Circulation 104, 151-156 [endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease] [abstract]; Wu et al. (2002) Arch. Intern. Med. 162, 1001-1006 [bone density] [abstract]; Mukamal et al. (2002) Circulation 105, 2476-2481 [mortality after myocardial infarction] [abstract]; Tsubono et al. (2000) New Engl. J. Med. 344, 632-636 [gastric cancer] [abstract]
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2003) “Questions and Answers About Valerian for Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders”
Stevinson, C. and Ernst, E. (2000) “Valerian for Insomnia: a Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials” Sleep Medicine 1, 91-99 [abstract]
Jacobs, B.P. et al. (2005) “An Internet-Based Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Kava and Valerian for Anxiety and Insomnia” Medicine 84, 197-207 [abstract]
Mind-body medicine - overview
* National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2004) “Mind-Body Medicine: An Overview”
Astin, J.A. et al. (2003) “Mind-Body Medicine: State of the Science, Implications for Practice” J. Am. Board Fam. Pract. 16, 131-147
Pennisi, E. (1997) "Tracing Molecules That Make the Brain-Body Connection" Science 275, 930-1 [abstract]
Garssen, B. and Goodkin, K. (1999) “On the Role of Immunological Factors as Mediators Between Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Progression” Psychiatry Res. 85, 51-61 [abstract]
O’Malley, P.G. et al. (2000) “Lack of Correlation Between Psychological Factors and Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease” New Engl. J. Med. 343, 1298-1304 [abstract]
Miller, G.E. and Cohen, S. (2001) “Psychological Interventions and the Immune System: A Meta-Analytic Review and Critique” Health Psychol. 2-, 47-63 [abstract]
Petticrew, M. et al. (2002) “Influence of Psychological Coping on Survival and Recurrence in People With Cancer: Systematic Review” BMJ 325, 1066-1075
Reiche, E.M. et al. (2004) “Stress, Depression, the Immune System, and Cancer” Lancet Oncol. 5 617-625 [abstract]
Wassertheil-Smoller, S. et al. (2004) “Depression and Cardiovascular Sequelae in Postmenopausal Women” Arch. Intern. Med. 164, 289-298 [abstract]
Mind-body medicine - techniques
Chan, E. et al. (2003) “Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Childhood Attention and Hyperactivity Problems” J. Dev. Behav. Pediatr. 24, 4-8 [abstract]
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2001) “Mind-Body Interventions for Gastrointestinal Conditions” Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 40
Castillo-Richmond, A. et al. (2000) “Effects of Stress Reduction on Carotid Atherosclerosis in Hypertensive African Americans” Stroke 31, 568-573 [abstract] [Transcendental Meditation]
Jaseja, H. (2005) “Meditation May Predispose to Epilepsy: an Insight into the Alteration in Brain Environment Induced by Meditation” Med. Hypoth. 64, 464-467 [abstract]
Sutoo, D. and Akiyama, K. (2004) “Music Improves Dopaminergic Neurotransmission: Demonstration Based on the Effect of Music on Blood Pressure Regulation” Brain Res. 1016, 255-262 [abstract]
Rousch, W. (1997) "Herbert Benson: Mind-Body Maverick Pushes the Envelope" Science 276, 357-359 [abstract]; letter in response by I. Tessman and J. Tessman, Science 278, 561; reply by Benson, Science 278, 1694-1695
Mind-body medicine - promotional
Safe Harbor (“International Guide to the World of Alternative Mental Health”)
American Music Therapy Association
Spirituality
Kalb, C. (Newsweek) (2003) “Faith & Healing”
Sloan and Bagiella (2002) Ann. Behav. Med. 24, 14-21 [abstract]
Placebo effects
Dodes, J. (1997) "The Mysterious Placebo" Skeptical Inquirer, Jan./Feb.
Nordenberg, T. (2000) “The Healing Power of Placebos” FDA Consumer, Jan.-Feb., 14-17
Smaglik, P. (2000) “Placebos Could Improve Link Between Medical Outlooks” Nature 408, 394 [“Study of the placebo effect...could help to bridge the divide between mainstream and alternative medicine...]
Holden, C. (2002) “Drugs and Placebos Look Alike in the Brain” Science 295, 947, 949
Wager, T.D. et al. (2004) “Placebo-Induced Changes in fMRI in the Anticipation and Experience of Pain” Science 303, 1162-1167 [abstract]
Zubieta, J.-K. et al. (2005) “Placebo Effects Mediated by Endogenous Opioid Activity on μ Opioid Receptors” J. Neurosci. 25, 7754-7762 [abstract]
Kienle, G.S. and Kiene, H. (1997) “The Powerful Placebo Effect: Fact or Fiction?” J. Clin. Epidemiol. 50, 1311-1318 [abstract]
Hróbjartsson, A. and Gøtzsche, P.C. (2001) “Is the Placebo Powerless? An Analysis of Clinical Trials Comparing Placebo With No Treatment” New Engl. J. Med. 344, 1594-1602 [abstract]
Chvetzoff, G. and Tannock, I.F. (2003) “Placebo Effects in Oncology” J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 95, 19-29 [abstract]
Biofeedback
Nakao, M. et al. (2003) “Blood Pressure-Lowering Effects of Biofeedback Treatment in Hypertension: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials” Hypertens. Res. 26, 37-46 [abstract]
Biofeedback - promotional
Hypnosis
Carroll, R.T. “Hypnosis”
Stalpers, L.J.A. et al. (2005) “Hypnotherapy in Radiotherapy Patients: a Randomized Trial” Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys. 61, 499-506 [abstract]
Hypnosis - promotional
International Association of Past Life Therapists
Autism
Laidler, J.R. (ed.) “Autism Watch”
Valdez, A. (2005) “Curing Jamie Handley: One Portland Family Pushes a Fix for the Autism ‘Epidemic’” Willamette Week Online, Oct. 12
Levy, S.E. and Hyman, S.L. (2003) “Use of Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders Is Increasing” Pediatr. Ann. 32, 685-691 [abstract]
Herbert, J. and Sharp, I.R. (2001) “Pseudoscientific Treatments for Autism.” American Council on Science and Health Health Issues
Barrett, S. (2005) “Secretin Found Ineffective for Treating Autism”
Sturmey, P. (2005) “Secretin is an Ineffective Treatment for Pervasive Developmental Disabilities: a Review of 15 Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials” Res. Dev. Disabil. 26, 87-97 [abstract]
Unconventional autism treatments - promotional
Holmes, Amy S. “Autism: Treatments. Chelation of Mercury”
Mental health - unconventional practices
* Barrett, S. (2003) “Mental Help: Procedures to Avoid”
Leshin, L. (1998) "Nutritional Supplements for Down Syndrome: A Highly Questionable Approach"
Federal Trade Commission (2000) “Marketers of Various Dietary Supplements Settle FTC Charges That They Made Unsubstantiated Claims That Their Products Could Cure ADHD” Press release, May 11
Laures, J.S. and Shisler, R.J. (2004) “Complementary and Alternative Medical Approaches to Treating Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders: a Review” Disabil. Rehabil. 26, 315-325 [abstract]
Murray, L.L and Kim, H.-Y. (2004) “A Review of Select Alternative Treatment Approaches for Acquired Neurogenic Disorders: Relaxation Therapy and Acupuncture” Semin. Speech Lang. 25, 133-149 [abstract]
Novella, S. (1996) “Psychomotor Patterning” Connecticut Skeptic 1(4)
Gaudiano, B.A. and Herbert, J.D. (2000)“ Can We Really Tap Our Problems Away? A Critical Analysis of Thought Field Therapy” Skeptical Inquirer 24(4)