Assessments of complementary and alternative medicine: the clinical guidelines from NICE

Abstract

Abstract\n ABSTRACT

Background:
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence NICE is renowned for its rigorous evaluations of medical interventions.

Aim:
To assess the evaluations of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) by NICE clinical guidelines.

Method:
The NICE website was searched, all clinical guidelines were reviewed and their contents compared to our own evaluations of CAM.

Results:
We found 84 guidelines of which 37 included evaluations of CAM. Some guidelines failed to mention evidence on CAM where such evidence was available. Other guidelines that did mention CAM were not complete.

Conclusions:
The evaluations of CAM in NICE clinical guidelines seem neither systematic nor rigorous.

Keywords:
Complementary/alternative medicine, NICE, clinical guidelines, evidence