- Email: [email protected]
The placebo response
162 mainstream practitioners, thereby inhibiting dissemination and implementation. The National Co-ordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development (NCCRCD) has developed a strategy aimed at developing ‘‘research capacity’’ in CAMS. In isolation research capacity could be interpreted as the number of research trained individuals within a discipline or professional group. However, we consider that to utilise or develop research capacity, there needs to be created: ‘‘an environment that supports and values the development of research skills and experience, enables access to research training opportunities and resources to undertake research activity, provides secure and attractive career pathways and encourages the development of high quality research projects’’. The NCCRCD is supporting a capacity building initiative comprising of four elements: (1) Identification of host academic institutions, with a demonstrable track record of appropriate research activity and collaboration with CAM organisations, to provide methodological advice, skills development and research support. (2) Personal award schemes at postdoctoral and training fellowship levels. (3) Establishment of a commissioning mechanism. (4) Development of a research support network. To date, the programme has developed a cohort of researchers working at doctoral and postdoctoral level within specialist CAM research units. The host institutions provide support and training in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and proposal design, to ensure the production of further competitive bids. The initiative aims to develop a collaborative research network to build on the momentum already established and ensure that research capacity in CAM is sustainable for the future. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2004.07.006
The placebo response Michael E. Hyland Department of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK The placebo response is a health-related response that is not attributable to a biochemical agent, and includes psychological mechanisms. At least four psychological mechanisms are relevant
Abstracts to the placebo response (expectancy, conditioning, social support, empowerment), and psychological management of varying kinds has been shown to improve quality of life in cancer patients, and, more controversially, to reduce mortality. Although there are different forms of psychotherapy or psychological management, the data shows that these therapies are effective due to common factors that are incidental to the therapy—–and which includes the mechanisms cited above. In addition to these psychological mechanisms, two CAM-related mechanisms can explain the healing impact of one person on another—–the biofield hypothesis and the entanglement hypothesis. Thus, there are six possible mechanisms in addition to the specific mechanisms suggested by CAM theorists. The specific mechanisms form the basis for CAM research. Most CAM is designed to demonstrate the validity of specific mechanisms. This presentation suggests that specific factors for CAM may be weak, as the evidence shows them to be in psychotherapy, and that contextual factors may be far more important. This view is unpopular both with the both believers and non-believers in CAM. Believers dislike this idea because I am suggesting that their particular form of magic does not work. Non-believers object to my suggestion that contextual factors are not limited to psychological processes but include magical mechanisms such as those suggested by CAM researchers—–in particular, emergent entanglement theory. The audience are asked to consider the possibility that both believers and non-believers are wrong—–and which would explain why the data are generally inconsistent rather than supporting one view or another. If that were the case, then a different more contextually focused approach to research may be needed. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2004.07.007
Developing centers of excellence in complementary medicine research: the University of Maryland experience Brian M. Berman∗ The Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 2200 Kernan Drive, Baltimore, MD 21207, USA ∗ Tel.:
+1 410 448 6872. E-mail address: [email protected]. The concept of “centers of excellence” has been used successfully in many areas of medicine to build
The placebo response Michael E. Hyland Department of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK The placebo response is a health-related response that is not attributable to a biochemical agent, and includes psychological mechanisms. At least four psychological mechanisms are relevant
Abstracts to the placebo response (expectancy, conditioning, social support, empowerment), and psychological management of varying kinds has been shown to improve quality of life in cancer patients, and, more controversially, to reduce mortality. Although there are different forms of psychotherapy or psychological management, the data shows that these therapies are effective due to common factors that are incidental to the therapy—–and which includes the mechanisms cited above. In addition to these psychological mechanisms, two CAM-related mechanisms can explain the healing impact of one person on another—–the biofield hypothesis and the entanglement hypothesis. Thus, there are six possible mechanisms in addition to the specific mechanisms suggested by CAM theorists. The specific mechanisms form the basis for CAM research. Most CAM is designed to demonstrate the validity of specific mechanisms. This presentation suggests that specific factors for CAM may be weak, as the evidence shows them to be in psychotherapy, and that contextual factors may be far more important. This view is unpopular both with the both believers and non-believers in CAM. Believers dislike this idea because I am suggesting that their particular form of magic does not work. Non-believers object to my suggestion that contextual factors are not limited to psychological processes but include magical mechanisms such as those suggested by CAM researchers—–in particular, emergent entanglement theory. The audience are asked to consider the possibility that both believers and non-believers are wrong—–and which would explain why the data are generally inconsistent rather than supporting one view or another. If that were the case, then a different more contextually focused approach to research may be needed. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2004.07.007
Developing centers of excellence in complementary medicine research: the University of Maryland experience Brian M. Berman∗ The Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 2200 Kernan Drive, Baltimore, MD 21207, USA ∗ Tel.:
+1 410 448 6872. E-mail address: [email protected]. The concept of “centers of excellence” has been used successfully in many areas of medicine to build