This is the discussion forum for a National level Consultative Workshop proposed
to be held in December 2009 for developing (statistically informed) guidelines
for Clinical Research in Ayurveda. The workshop will be jointly initiated by
the Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, FRLHT, Bangalore,
South-Asian Cochrane (based at CMC- Vellore), INCLEN Trust, New-Delhi,
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, NIMS, Hyderabad, Centre for Rheumatic
Diseases, Pune and C-DAC, Pune. (Please visit
http://www.frlht.org/workshop/index.htm for further details)
Discriminating observers of the clinical research scenario in Ayurveda are
pointing out that clinical studies carried out in the last several decades, are
not actually designed to evaluate Ayurvedic propositions. In most cases they
tend to pick up bits and pieces of the holistic, multi-dimensional Ayurvedic
approaches to health care and it is these bits and pieces that are subjected to
clinical trials. Therefore, irrespective of the results of these trials they are
unlikely to prove the efficacy of the Ayurvedic knowledge system.
Today, there are new models and research designs in bio-statistics to handle
multi-dimensional clinical trials and leading researchers worldwide in the field
of CAM are using these innovative statistical models. In order to be a
significant contributor in to the CAM movement, that is witnessing an
unprecedented surge world over, Ayurveda and Yoga needs to rigorously engage in
generating trans-disciplinary evidence that is essential to facilitate
communication, appreciation and acceptance of Ayurveda globally.
This is a new and complex task because it requires assimilation of the
disciplinary knowledge of Ayurveda (which is a systemic theory) and its
translation and correlation with western bio-medicine (which is a structural
theory). The correlation between two knowledge systems can certainly be
discovered because biological fields and structures contained therein are
related, but the key is to appreciate that systemic and structural parameters do
not share a one to one correlation. Clinical Research in Ayurveda should be
guided by this fundamental understanding for it to be meaningful.
The National Consultative Workshop (planned in December 2009) will have
representations from various stakeholders like Ayurveda Hospital Groups,
Pharmaceutical industry, Clinical Research Organizations, faculty members of
Universities and affiliated colleges, Post-Graduate researchers,
Bio-statisticians and practicing Ayurveda vaidyas develop a comprehensive set of
guidelines (CONSORT like) to drive Clinical Research in this field.
You may use this discussion board for the following purposes:
1. Post your comments on the draft white paper on Clinical Research in Ayurveda.
2. Post your comments on the draft guidelines for Clinical Research in Ayurveda.
3. Post any information or general comments, views or observations that you feel
is relevant in the realm of clinical research in Ayurveda.
We urge you to pass on this information to all serious Clinical Researchers of
Ayurveda, Bio-statisticians, domain experts and encourage them to post their
views and comments, which shall be discussed in the Workshop and relevant points
will be considered while framing the white paper and guidelines.
Clinical Research Unit, IAIM-FRLHT,
#74/2, Jarakbande Kaval,
Post Attur, Via Yelahanka,
BANGALORE - 560 064
Ph: (080) 2856 8000 / 2856 8001 / 2856 8003
to be held in December 2009 for developing (statistically informed) guidelines
for Clinical Research in Ayurveda. The workshop will be jointly initiated by
the Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, FRLHT, Bangalore,
South-Asian Cochrane (based at CMC- Vellore), INCLEN Trust, New-Delhi,
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, NIMS, Hyderabad, Centre for Rheumatic
Diseases, Pune and C-DAC, Pune. (Please visit
http://www.frlht.org/workshop/index.htm for further details)
Discriminating observers of the clinical research scenario in Ayurveda are
pointing out that clinical studies carried out in the last several decades, are
not actually designed to evaluate Ayurvedic propositions. In most cases they
tend to pick up bits and pieces of the holistic, multi-dimensional Ayurvedic
approaches to health care and it is these bits and pieces that are subjected to
clinical trials. Therefore, irrespective of the results of these trials they are
unlikely to prove the efficacy of the Ayurvedic knowledge system.
Today, there are new models and research designs in bio-statistics to handle
multi-dimensional clinical trials and leading researchers worldwide in the field
of CAM are using these innovative statistical models. In order to be a
significant contributor in to the CAM movement, that is witnessing an
unprecedented surge world over, Ayurveda and Yoga needs to rigorously engage in
generating trans-disciplinary evidence that is essential to facilitate
communication, appreciation and acceptance of Ayurveda globally.
This is a new and complex task because it requires assimilation of the
disciplinary knowledge of Ayurveda (which is a systemic theory) and its
translation and correlation with western bio-medicine (which is a structural
theory). The correlation between two knowledge systems can certainly be
discovered because biological fields and structures contained therein are
related, but the key is to appreciate that systemic and structural parameters do
not share a one to one correlation. Clinical Research in Ayurveda should be
guided by this fundamental understanding for it to be meaningful.
The National Consultative Workshop (planned in December 2009) will have
representations from various stakeholders like Ayurveda Hospital Groups,
Pharmaceutical industry, Clinical Research Organizations, faculty members of
Universities and affiliated colleges, Post-Graduate researchers,
Bio-statisticians and practicing Ayurveda vaidyas develop a comprehensive set of
guidelines (CONSORT like) to drive Clinical Research in this field.
You may use this discussion board for the following purposes:
1. Post your comments on the draft white paper on Clinical Research in Ayurveda.
2. Post your comments on the draft guidelines for Clinical Research in Ayurveda.
3. Post any information or general comments, views or observations that you feel
is relevant in the realm of clinical research in Ayurveda.
We urge you to pass on this information to all serious Clinical Researchers of
Ayurveda, Bio-statisticians, domain experts and encourage them to post their
views and comments, which shall be discussed in the Workshop and relevant points
will be considered while framing the white paper and guidelines.
Clinical Research Unit, IAIM-FRLHT,
#74/2, Jarakbande Kaval,
Post Attur, Via Yelahanka,
BANGALORE - 560 064
Ph: (080) 2856 8000 / 2856 8001 / 2856 8003