CAM Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
(Steven Bolling, MD, University of Michigan)—
This center focuses on the investigation of CAM
modalities to treat and prevent cardiovascular dis-
ease. Additionally, the Center will stress CAM edu-
cation and promotion of validated CAM treatments
for cardiovascular well-being. Individual research
projects being conducted within the Center include
Phase II clinical trials to determine the:
- Effectiveness of Hawthorn in the treatment of
heart failure; - Effect of Reiki on noninsulin dependent diabetes
mellitus patients with chronic diabetic painful
neuropathy or deficits in cardiovascular auto-
nomic function; and - Effect of Qi gong and spirituality/psychosocial
factors on wound closure, pain, medication
usage and hospital stay in post-operative cardiac
patients.
Oregon Center for CAM in Neurological
Disorders (Barry Oken, MD, Oregon Health Sci-
ences University)—The Center is investigating
whether:
- Three antioxidant regimens, Ginkgo biloba,alpha-
lipoic acid/essential fatty acids and vitamin
E/selenium are effective in decreasing multiple
sclerosis disease activity (Phase I clinical trial); - A standardized Ginkgo biloba extract can pre-
vent or delay cognitive decline in elderly
patients (Phase II clinical trial); - Hatha yoga has palliative benefits on the cogni-
tive and behavioral changes associated with
aging and neurological disorders in multiple
sclerosis patients and in the healthy elderly
(Phase III clinical trial); and - Vitamin E and Ginkgo biloba extract will be as
effective as sodium azide and no treatment in
reducing oxidative end-products in transgenic
and wild-type mice.
Craniofacial CAM Center(Alexander B. White,
DDS, DrPH, Kaiser Center for Health Research)—
The Center will investigate via Phase II clinical trials
to determine whether:
- Acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, and body-
work therapy are as effective as standard treat-
ment for tenderness and pain caused by
temporomandibular disorders (TMDs); - Naturopathic medicine and traditional Chinese
medicine are as effective as standard treatment
for tenderness and pain caused by TMD;and - Three naturopathic medicines (glutamine, Con-
nective Tissue Nutrient Formula, and adapto-
genic herbs) are as effective as a placebo in
alleviating clinical signs and symptoms of adult
periodontitis.
Center for CAM, Minority Aging and Car-
diovascular Disease (Robert Schneider MD,
Maharishi University of Management)—This Cen-
ter focuses on Vedic Medicine, a form of traditional
Ayurvedic Indian medicine that incorporates
herbal formulations and meditation, in the older
African American population. The emphasis of the
Center‘s research is on testing the efficacy and
effectiveness of Vedic medicine for reducing mor-
tality and morbidity associated with cardiovascular
disease (CVD).The Center is conducting three sin-
gle-blind, randomized, controlled Phase II clinical
trials to determine the:- Basic mechanisms of meditation and CVD in
older blacks; - Effect of transcendental meditation on carotid
artery intima-media thickness toward reducing
hypertension; and - Effects of herbal antioxidants on CVD in older
blacks.
Center for Alternative Medicine Research
of Arthritis (Brian Berman, MD, University of
Maryland)—The center will investigate the:- Cost effectiveness of and long-term outcomes fol-
lowing acupuncture treatment for osteoarthritis
of the knee (Phase III clinical trial); - Effectiveness of mind/body therapies for
fibromyalgia (Phase II clinical trial); - Mechanism of action and effects of elec-
troacupuncture on persistent pain and inflam-
mation; and
236 The Encyclopedia of Complementary and Alternative Medicine