Current issues and future directions in complementary medicine (CAM) and alternative research

This paper examines the topics discussed over the course of the Complementary Therapies in Medicine (CAM) research methods series and looks ahead at research methods that either have not been discussed so far in the series or are currently emerging as potentially useful research tools. It is emphasised that an in-depth knowledge of methodological advances (and existing tools) is vital if researchers are to design and implement appropriate programs with the ability to adequately address the vast range of research questions pertinent to CAM. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.