Removal of dental amalgam restorations in patients with health complaints attributed to amalgam: A prospective cohort study.

Background: The Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services initiated a project including experimental treatment for patients with health complaints attributed to amalgam restorations.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate changes of general health complaints in patients who participated in the project and had all amalgam restorations removed.

Methods: The project was designed as a prospective cohort study and organised by the Dental Biomaterials Adverse Reaction Unit in Bergen, Norway.

Herbal Traditional Chinese Medicine and suspected liver injury: A prospective study.

Aim: To analyze liver tests before and following treatment with herbal Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in order to evaluate the frequency of newly detected liver injury.

Methods: Patients with normal values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as a diagnostic marker for ruling out pre-existing liver disease were enrolled in a prospective study of a safety program carried out at the First German Hospital of TCM from 1994 to 2015. All patients received herbal products, and their ALT values were reassessed 1-3 d prior to discharge.

Effects of a tailored lifestyle self-management intervention (TALENT) study on weight reduction: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Overweight and obesity are globally increasing risk factors for diseases in the context of metabolic syndrome. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether there are any existing differences between two lifestyle intervention strategies with respect to weight reduction after 1 year.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 166 subjects with a body mass index of 28-35 kg/m were enrolled in this trial at seven study centers; 109 were randomly allocated to the intervention group (comprehensive lifestyle modification program: web-based Individual Health Management [IHM]) with 3-month reduction phase plus 9-month maintenance phase, and 57 were allocated to the control group (written information with advice for healthy food habits: usual care [UC]).

High and Low Responders in a Comprehensive Lifestyle Program for Weight Loss - Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/objectives: Unhealthy lifestyle is often related to overweight and obesity and thus to chronic diseases. Web-based programs might be an option for a comprehensive approach to improving long-term weight management. Data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the impact of a lifestyle program on weight reduction were used for a secondary analysis.

Quality Profiling at the TCM Hospital Bad Kötzting - Examples from an Ongoing Systematic Patient Documentation.

Background: Quality profiling is practiced at the TCM hospital Bad Kötzting since its establishment 25 years ago. The profiling comprises assessment of treatment effectiveness andsafety, structural features, staff qualification as well as diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Findings regarding patients, intervention and outcome profiles are presented by appropriate examples.

Quality Control and Complication Screening Programme of Chinese Medicinal Drugs at the First German Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine - A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: The use of drugs derived from plants is a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Yet, too little is known about risk and safety of Chinese medicinal drugs (CMD). Therefore, the TCM hospital Bad Kötzting has developed a quality control and complication screening programme in order to ensure a safe administration of TCM drugs to their patients.

The talent study: a multicentre randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of a 'tailored lifestyle self-management intervention' (talent) on weight reduction.

Background: Overweight is considered an important risk factor for diseases in the context of metabolic syndrome. Lifestyle modifications are the means of choice to reduce weight in persons with a Body Mass Index of 28 to 35. The study examines whether there are any differences between two intervention strategies regarding weight reduction in overweight persons.

Prevalence of use and level of awareness of CAM in older people - results from the KORA-Age study.

Background: Despite the growing proportion of older adults in Europe there is only limited knowledge of CAM use among the elderly. This analysis aims to provide estimates for the prevalence of CAM use in persons with an age of ≥65, and to investigate correlations of CAM use with demographic characteristics.

Methods: Based on participants of the MONICA/KORA studies S1-S4 who were born before 1944, a random sample of 1,079 was selected for comprehensive medical examinations.

A research roadmap for complementary and alternative medicine - what we need to know by 2020.

Background: The CAMbrella coordination action was funded within the Framework Programme 7. Its aim is to provide a research roadmap for clinical and epidemiological research for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that is appropriate for the health needs of European citizens and acceptable to their national research institutes and healthcare providers in both public and private sectors. One major issue in the European research agenda is the demographic change and its impact on health care.

High prevalence but limited evidence in complementary and alternative medicine: guidelines for future research.

The use of complementary and alternative Medicine (CAM) has increased over the past two decades in Europe. Nonetheless, research investigating the evidence to support its use remains limited. The CAMbrella project funded by the European Commission aimed to develop a strategic research agenda starting by systematically evaluating the state of CAM in the EU.

Building a sustainable complementary and alternative medicine research network in Europe.

Background: Since CAMbrella is a networking project funded by the European Commission explicitly to build and sustain a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research network in Europe, communication and dissemination play a large role and form a work package of their own. The present article gives an outline of the communication and dissemination work in the CAMbrella consortium. The intensive building of sound internal communication is an essential part in establishing a functioning structure for collaboration in a diverse group of 16 partner institutions from 12 countries, as exists in the CAMbrella project.

Key issues in clinical and epidemiological research in complementary and alternative medicine--a systematic literature review.

Background: In the last 2 decades there has been a large increase in publications on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, CAM research methodology was heterogeneous and often of low quality. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate scientific publications with regards to general issues, concepts and strategies.

International development of traditional medicine / complementary and alternative medicine research--what can Europe learn?

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse global research and development (R&D) strategies for traditional medicine (TM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) across the world to learn from previous and on-going activities.

Methods: 52 representatives within CAMbrella nominated 43 key international stakeholders (individuals and organisations) and 15 of these were prioritised. Information from policy documents including mission statements, R&D strategies and R&D activities were collected in combination with personal interviews.

What attitudes and needs do citizens in Europe have in relation to complementary and alternative medicine?

Background: Surveys from several European countries suggest a European-wide increase in the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). To safeguard citizens' rights concerning their healthcare, it is critical to gain an overview of citizens' attitudes and to understand their expectations and needs regarding CAM.

Methods: A review of literature was undertaken, based on systematic searches of the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, CINHAL, AMED, PsycINFO and PsycArticles; 189 articles met inclusion criteria.

EU FP7 project 'CAMbrella' to build European research network for complementary and alternative medicine.

Background: The status of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within the EU needs clarification. The definition and terminology of CAM is heterogeneous. The therapies, legal status, regulations and approaches used vary from country to country but there is widespread use by EU citizens.

Predictors of treatment outcomes after removal of amalgam fillings: associations between subjective symptoms, psychometric variables and mercury levels.

Objective: This analysis aimed to study predictors of different treatment outcomes and associations between subjective symptoms, psychometric variables and mercury levels in patients who subjectively attributed their health problems to dental amalgam.

Material And Methods: A secondary and retrospective analysis of data of a recently published randomized clinical trial was performed. Seventy-eight patients [44% female, mean (SD) age 35 (6) years, randomly assigned to either amalgam removal or a health promotion program] were included into statistical analysis.

Correlations of headache diary parameters, quality of life and disability scales.

Objective: We aimed to investigate (1) to which extent headache diary variables correlate among each other; (2) to which extent they correlate with generic measures of quality of life and disability; (3) and whether correlations vary over time.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of data from 301 patients suffering from migraine and 270 patients suffering from tension-type headache collected in 2 randomized trials of acupuncture. We calculated product-moment correlation coefficients.

Does a specific dental amalgam syndrome exist? A comparative study.

Objective: The aim of this article was to investigate whether there is evidence for a specific syndrome of health problems attributed to dental amalgam.

Material And Methods: A secondary and retrospective analysis of two different databases was performed: (a) 90 patients (47% female, mean (SD) age 34 (6) years) of a clinical trial to remove amalgam fillings who attribute their health complaints to dental amalgam, and (b) 116 patients (62% female, mean (SD) age 37 (8) years) from an outpatient unit for environmental medicine who attribute their symptoms to environmental sources other than amalgam.

Results: The samples differed in age, sex, and educational level.

Patients of an interdisciplinary cancer treatment center: use of, knowledge about, and demand for CAM treatment options.

Objective: to assess the use of, knowledge about, and the demand for information concerning complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed on consecutive patients visiting the outpatient tumor treatment center of a university hospital at Munich, Germany. The authors used a questionnaire with questions on sociodemographics, tumor diagnosis and treatment, current symptoms, previous use of CAM, and expectations and attitudes with respect to CAM.

[Quality profile of a rehabilitation clinic for natural healing methods--Part 2: Patient and outcome profile].

Objective: To present a patient care evaluation program exemplified by a rehabilitation clinic for complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) with emphasis on the description of patients and the outcome quality of the facility.

Methods: Prospective cohort study on all patients admitted to the hospital over a period of 2 years; physician's questionnaire to assess basic medical data, and patients'questionnaires at admission and at discharge from hospital completed by 3 follow-up queries (at 2, 6, and 12 months after discharge)to assess severity of complaints, health related quality of life, health behavior, demand of medical services, days off work,and patient satisfaction. At the beginning of the intervention, sociodemographic status, basic medical data, experience with CAM and expectations with regard to treatment success were documented.

Profiling quality of care for patients with chronic headache in three different German hospitals - a case study.

Background: Legal requirements for quality assurance in German rehabilitation hospitals include comparisons of providers. Objective is to describe and to compare outcome quality of care offered by three hospitals providing in-patient rehabilitative treatment exemplified for patients with chronic headache.

Methods: We performed a prospective three center observational study on patients suffering from chronic headache.

Randomized trial vs. observational study of acupuncture for migraine found that patient characteristics differed but outcomes were similar.

Objective: To compare patient characteristics and outcomes between a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and an observational study (OS) of acupuncture treatment in patients with migraine.

Study Design And Setting: Within the framework of a research program for acupuncture for chronic pain, both an RCT and an OS of routine care were performed in patients with migraine. One hundred forty-five patients received acupuncture in the RCT and 732 in the OS.

The impact of patient expectations on outcomes in four randomized controlled trials of acupuncture in patients with chronic pain.

In a pooled analysis of four randomized controlled trials of acupuncture in patients with migraine, tension-type headache, chronic low back pain, and osteoarthritis of the knee we investigated the influence of expectations on clinical outcome. The 864 patients included in the analysis received either 12 sessions of acupuncture or minimal (i.e.