Qualitative research in complementary therapies – is it of any value?

Objective

To explore qualitative research on complementary therapies in two areas (cancer and mental health) in order to address the following issues:

• how and where qualitative research in this area can be found
• potential methods for appraising qualitative studies
• what qualitative studies add to the knowledge base.

Materials and methods

Comprehensive searches for qualitative studies in complementary therapies for cancer and mental health conditions were undertaken. This was followed by critical appraisal and analysis of relevant studies. Papers were appraised using a combination of two appraisal tools. A thematic analysis of the findings was conducted by two researchers in order to identify key issues.

Results

A small number of qualitative studies were located via databases and other sources. The appraisal process indicated that studies tended to have methodological inadequacies in design and inadequate levels of reporting. Themes included patient perceptions of the intervention, direct and indirect benefits of the intervention and symptom experience, patients’ needs and therapy feasibility.

Conclusion

In order to locate qualitative studies on complementary therapies, there is a need to search widely. Further qualitative research of sufficient methodological rigour is required. The findings of qualitative research may be context specific and not transferable. Nevertheless, practical information derived from these studies is of value for planning future outcomes research, combining with quantitative research for a more complete picture of the intervention and for making sense of quantitative findings. In light of this, qualitative research studies on CAM interventions are of clinical significance and value.

Acknowledgements

The NHS Priorities Project is funded by a grant from the Department of Health. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Health.