Priority 6 from the Asthma PSP

UNCERTAINTY: What is the role of complementary therapies in asthma management? (JLA PSP Priority 6)
Overall ranking 6
JLA question ID 0001/6
Explanatory note Reliable up-to-date systematic reviews have revealed important continuing uncertainties about treatment effects
Evidence McCarney RW, Brinkhaus B, Lasserson TJ, Linde K. Acupuncture for chronic asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD000008. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000008.pub2.  Dennis J, Cates CJ. Alexander technique for chronic asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD000995. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000995.  McCarney RW, Linde K, Lasserson TJ. Homeopathy for chronic asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD000353. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000353.pub2.  Hondras MA, Linde K, Jones AP. Manual therapy for asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001002. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001002.pub2.  Yorke J, Fleming SL, Shuldham CM. Psychological interventions for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002982. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002982.pub3  Yorke J, Fleming S, Shuldham C. Psychological interventions for children with asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003272. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003272.pub2.
Health Research Classification System category Respiratory
Extra information provided by this PSP
Incomplete trials at time of PSP The use of acupuncture in asthma - The immediate and longer term effects  ISRCTN08236707
Relevant Age Any
Submitted by Patients
Outcomes to be measured Minimal symptoms with minimal need for reliever medication; no exacerbations; no limitation on physical activity and normal lung function
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0001
PSP name Asthma
Total number of uncertainties collated by this PSP from surveys 413  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop March 2007