Alternative or complementary medicine such as ayurveda, acupuncture, homeopathy, foot reflexology, orthomanual medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, as well as paleo diet, meditation and mindfulness, is enjoying increasing popularity; a section of people believe it benefits them while others think it is quackery and fraud. Without sufficient science-based research, we do not know whether complementary medicine is a placebo effect or has a real physiological effect. While the placebo effect itself is known, knowledge about its mechanisms and possible further applications is still scarce. Sub-questions to this question therefore include: Is there scientific support for the efficacy of complementary medicine?
What role can complementary medicine play in health care?
Following the effectiveness of placebos, can principles or mechanisms be formulated on the basis of which alternative, perhaps partial, medicine can be developed without or with less medicine? This topic resonates strongly among citizens.
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This question links up with several other questions, for instance about treatment methods of various diseases, prevention of diseases, the influence of diet and lifestyle on health and the role of the immune system. Various research groups and institutes, from fundamental to application-oriented, are working on topics that touch on this question, including prevention and healthy ageing. To arrive at answers to this question, more integrated medical, behavioural and sociological scientific research is needed. The subject matter is in line with the top sector Life Sciences & Health and with a number of government priorities, namely: 'Anticipating a changing demand for care in a transparent environment: providing different care'; 'Creating a suitable health landscape: integral cooperation and promoting efficiency'; 'Choosing collective priorities: Keeping collective care and support affordable'.
