October 2004

Western States to partner in NCCAM grant

Western States Chiropractic will partner in a $840,000 research grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The college will join Oregon Health and Science University, National College of Naturopathic Medicine and Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in a study of “Complementary/Alternative Medicine: Expectancy and Outcome,” headed by principal investigator Barry Oken, MD.

The research partners will focus on defining and understanding placebo effects, particularly patient expectation and other factors related to patient-provider interactions that produce desired biological effects.

The award is one of six made by NCCAM, to expand the scope and impact of its research centers portfolio. With these new awards, NCCAM is continuing its 2003 commitment to enhance CAM research capacity by funding centers at institutions across the country.

Among the types of centers NCCAM funds are Centers of Excellence for Research on CAM and Developmental Centers for Research on CAM. The Centers of Excellence provide five years of support for experienced researchers who apply cutting-edge technologies to identify the potential benefits and underlying mechanisms of CAM practices.

The Developmental Centers provide three years of support to build research programs in some of the nation’s major CAM institutions through partnerships with established research institutions.

Western States is participating in a Developmental Centers grant.

Grants in the Centers of Excellence for Research include:

• Center on Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, stress arousal and immune response in early HIV; $1,198,000. This center will investigate the effects of meditation on the immune system and determine whether it can help slow disease progression and delay the need for antiretroviral treatment in early HIV.

• Alternative therapies for alcohol and drug abuse; $1,071,000. Center investigators will evaluate whether certain traditional Chinese medicines and electrical acupuncture can be used to prevent addiction relapse and craving for alcohol and drug abuse.

• Translational Research Center for CAM Therapy of Asthma, $1,200,000. This center will study anti-oxidant CAM therapies for asthma.

In addition to the program in which Western States is participating, other programs in the Developmental Centers for Research include:

• Trametes Versicolor (mushroom)-Induced Immunopotentiation, $777,000. The Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota and Bastyr University will study the biological basis of the effects of mushroom extracts on the immune system’s response to tumors and the feasibility of using the extracts for cancer therapy.

• Mechanisms of Osteopathic Manipulation Medicine, $620,000. The University of North Texas Health Science Center and Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine will team to study the effects of osteopathic manipulation on the musculoskeletal system, lymphatic fluid flow and reduction of pain from back and neck strain.

The amount of each award is stated for the first year of study only.

Source: National Institute of Health, www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2004/nccam-13.htm.

Industry News from:
Chiropractic News from: