Operational definition of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine derived from a systematic search

Abstract

Background Identifying what therapies constitute complementary, alternative, and/or integrative medicine (CAIM) is complex for a multitude of reasons. An operational definition is dynamic, and changes based on both historical time period and geographical location whereby many jurisdictions may integrate or consider their traditional system(s) of medicine as conventional care. To date, only one operational definition of “complementary and alternative medicine” has been proposed, by Cochrane researchers in 2011. This definition is not only over a decade old but also did not use systematic methods to compile the therapies. Furthermore, it did not capture the concept “integrative medicine”, which is an increasingly popular aspect of the use of complementary therapies in practice. An updated operational definition reflective of CAIM is warranted given the rapidly increasing body of CAIM research literature published each year. Methods Four peer-reviewed or otherwise quality-assessed information resource types were used to inform the development of the operational definition: peer-reviewed articles resulting from searches across seven academic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science); the “aims and scope” webpages of peer-reviewed CAIM journals; CAIM entries found in online encyclopedias, and highly-ranked websites identified through searches of CAIM-related terms on HONcode. Screening of eligible resources, and data extraction of CAIM therapies across them, were each conducted independently and in duplicate. CAIM therapies across eligible sources were deduplicated. Results A total of 101 eligible resources were identified: peer-reviewed articles (n = 19), journal “aims and scope” webpages (n = 22), encyclopedia entries (n = 11), and HONcode-searched websites (n = 49). Six hundred four unique CAIM terms were included in this operational definition. Conclusions This updated operational definition is the first to be informed by systematic methods, and could support the harmonization of CAIM-related research through the provision of a standard of classification, as well as support improved collaboration between different research groups.

A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use among Patients with Chronic Diseases (CDs) in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

“…For the purpose of this study, the use of CAM was defined as “any type of CAM used more than once during the six months after a diagnosis of CD”. CAM was classified according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [ 24 , 25 ]. Patients were specifically asked if they used CAM for general health or for the treatment of CD (included in the study), or for the management of other chronic conditions.…”

A comprehensive search string informed by an operational definition of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine for systematic bibliographic database search strategies

“…Prior to this, Wieland et al (2011) developed an operational definition of CAM consisting of 70 therapies [ 10 ] and the Cochrane Complementary Medicine website later amplified this by listing 259 CAIM therapy terms [ 14 ]. Our previously reported study represents the largest operational definition of CAIM created to date, with 604 CAIM therapy terms and their respective synonyms; in addition, it is the only systematically and transparently developed operational definition of its kind [ 11 ]. The present study is the first to develop and report a comprehensive search string informed by an operational definition of CAIM for systematic bibliographic database search strategies.…”

“…We have previously reported the first operational definition of CAIM informed by a systematic search, which serves as the basis for the present study [ 11 ]. Briefly, the operational definition of CAIM was derived from four types of quality-assessed media types: 1) peer-reviewed articles from the MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases; 2) the “Aims and Scopes” of peer-reviewed CAIM journals; 3) CAIM entries in highly accessed online encyclopaedias; and 4) websites resulting from Health On the Net Code of Conduct (HONcode) searches.…”

Prevalence, determinants and outcomes of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use for hypertension among low-income households in Malaysia and the Philippines

“…To assess the determinants of TCAM use among our study population, we evaluate one binary outcome, current use of TCAM, which is defined by self-reports of using any type of TCAM for hypertension, where ‘current’ describes regular use in the preceding 2 weeks. Acknowledging that no general standard exists on what constitutes a TCAM therapy, and the inherent challenges of defining and categorising certain therapies, [ 37 ] in our analyses, TCAM services, practices and products, whether used in self-care or rendered by providers, are categorised into the five domains adopted by Wieland et al in 2011, [ 38 ] and as originally developed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States (now known as the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health): 1) mind–body therapies (e.g. yoga, Tai Chi, meditation), 2) natural and biological-based therapies (e.g.…”