The ACR Committee on Rheumatologic Care (CORC) has released an updated position statement on the use of safe and effective complementary and integrative modalities in clinical rheumatology practice, while also encouraging open dialog about their risks, benefits, and potential harms. The position refers to relevant ACR clinical guidelines and supports continued research and innovative methods for evaluating these modalities in clinical practice.
Summary
The ACR recognizes patients’ interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. The ACR supports the adoption into clinical practice of modalities proven to be safe and effective by scientifically rigorous clinical trials while maintaining an open dialog about their use, risks and potential benefits. In the absence of rigorous clinical trials, the ACR recommends advising patients that potential harm can occur from unproven therapeutic modalities. The ACR supports continued innovation in research and evaluation of CAM modalities in clinical practice.
Relevant Changes
The updated position statement:
- Provides contemporary definitions of complementary, alternative and integrative medicine;
- Discusses how and why complementary and/or integrative approaches are adopted in rheumatology care, with references to relevant ACR clinical guidelines;
- Includes best practices for discussing these modalities with patients and the nuances of these modalities in pediatric use; and
- Emphasizes the need for continued research and innovative methods for evaluating these modalities in clinical practice.
