Trick or Treatment

June 23, 2008
Noted science writer Singh and British professor of complementary medicine Ernst offer a reasoned examination of the research on acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, herbal medicine and other alternative treatments. Singh (Fermat’s Last Theorem
) and Ernst work hard to be objective, but their conclusion is that these therapies are largely worthless. As they examine the research on various alternative therapies, the authors explore the principles of evidence-based medicine on which their conclusions are based, including clinical trials and the placebo effect; they also explore related ethical issues. The authors report that many patients will improve with any alternative remedy—but no more than those given a placebo. Exceptions exist; some herbal remedies (e.g., St. John’s wort, echinacea) can be helpful though not always advisable, and chiropractors can relieve low back pain under certain circumstances. This is a stimulating and informative account that will be indispensable to anyone considering an alternative treatment, though it may not dissuade true believers. 16 illus.

July 15, 2008
Exaggerated claims, misleading advertisements, and false information about complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) make it virtually impossible to protect the public from today's snake oils readily available, inter alia, by Internet, TV, radio, and pharmacy shelves. Science journalist Singh ("Big Bang") and Ernst, billed as the UK's first professor of complementary medicine, seek to provide important, up-to-date research about CAM so that readers can make informed health-care decisions. Quoting Hippocrates that science begets knowledge and opinion, ignorance, the authors explain in clear, comprehensible language what works and what does not, what is good evidence-based therapy, and what is no more than puffery. Acupuncture, homeopathy, and chiropractic and herbal medicine receive extensive coverage as therapeutics for treating disease. A "rapid guide" appendix to CAM summarizes the background, the evidence, and scientific conclusion for 36 additional popular therapies, including aromatherapy, ayurvedic tradition, colonic irrigation, food supplements, hypnotherapy, magnet therapy, massage therapy, spiritual healing, and traditional Chinese medicine. The authors have interspersed bits of enlightening medical history with the scientific evidence supporting their theses. This solid piece of reportage includes the reasoning behind clinical trials and science methodologies; highly recommended for all health-care libraries, for general and professional readers.James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York

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