Calling into Question the Efficacy of Evidence-Based Medicine: Is It Always the Best Approach? Is That Really the Placebo Effect?
Author(s)
Yoshiro Fujii
ABSTRACT
The techniques of evidence-based medicine (EBM) are being frequently used recently. The generally accepted theory is that if a medicine is not absorbed by the body, it will have no effect. However, the author has noticed that even when substances, including medicines, are not absorbed by the body, they can have a marked effect. In some cases, just bringing the substance close to the body can have an effect; in such cases, the efficacy of EBM for estimating the therapeutic value of medicines may be debatable. Therefore, a more accurate evaluation method should be devised. The author proposes that another group be introduced into trials. This group would include subjects who were exposed to but did not have an opportunity to absorb the medicine being tested.
The techniques of evidence-based medicine (EBM) are being frequently used recently. The generally accepted theory is that if a medicine is not absorbed by the body, it will have no effect. However, the author has noticed that even when substances, including medicines, are not absorbed by the body, they can have a marked effect. In some cases, just bringing the substance close to the body can have an effect; in such cases, the efficacy of EBM for estimating the therapeutic value of medicines may be debatable. Therefore, a more accurate evaluation method should be devised. The author proposes that another group be introduced into trials. This group would include subjects who were exposed to but did not have an opportunity to absorb the medicine being tested.
Cite this paper
Fujii, Y. (2015) Calling into Question the Efficacy of Evidence-Based Medicine: Is It Always the Best Approach? Is That Really the Placebo Effect?. Natural Science, 7, 165-170. doi: 10.4236/ns.2015.74019.
Fujii, Y. (2015) Calling into Question the Efficacy of Evidence-Based Medicine: Is It Always the Best Approach? Is That Really the Placebo Effect?. Natural Science, 7, 165-170. doi: 10.4236/ns.2015.74019.
References
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[1] Guyatt, G.H., Sackett, D.L. and Cook, D.J. (1994) Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature, II: How to Use an Article about Therapy or Prevention, Part B: What Were the Results and Will They Help Me in Caring for My Patients? JAMA, 271, 59-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1994.03510250075039 [2] Jaeschke, R.Z., Guyatt, G.H. and Sackett, D.L. (1994) Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature, III: How to Use an Article about a Diagnostic Test, Part B: What Are the Results and Will They Help Me in Caring for My Patients? JAMA, 271, 703-707. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1994.03510330081039 [3] Guyatt, G.H., Haynes, R.B., Jaeschke, R.Z., Cook, D.J., Green, L., Naylor, C.D., Wilson, M.C. and Richardson, W.S. (2000) Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature: XXV. Evidence-Based Medicine: Principles for Applying the Users’ Guides to Patient Care. Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. JAMA, 284, 1290-1296. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.284.10.1290 [4] Omura, Y. (1993) Bi-Digital O-Ring Test for Imaging and Diagnosis of Internal Organs of a Patient. US Patent 5188107. http://academic.reed.edu/economics/parker/f11/354/pat/o-ring.pdf [5] http://bdort.org/ (last checked :27.Mar.2015). [6] Altshuler B. (1981) Modeling of Dose-Response Relationships. Environmental Health Perspectives, 42, 23-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.814223 [7] Fujii, Y. (2012) Do Dental Implants Cause Scoliosis? Case Report. Personalized Medicine Universe, 1, 79-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmu.2012.05.012 [8] Fujii, Y. (2014) Gold Alloy Dental Inlay for Preventing Involuntary Body Movements Caused by Electromagnetic Waves Emitted by a Cell Phone. Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 2, 37-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojapr.2014.24005 [9] Fujii, Y. (2014) Sense of Balance Disorder Caused by Electromagnetic Waves Collected by a Dental Implant. Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics Research, 39, 379. [10] Fujii, Y. (2014) Sensation of Balance Dysregulation Caused/Aggravated by a Collection of Electromagnetic Waves in a Dental Implant. Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 2, 29-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojapr.2014.23004 [11] Fujii, Y. (2007) The Dental Treatment That Used Environment of Electromagnetic Wave. Acupuncture and Electro- Therapeutics Research, 32, 291. [12] Fujii, Y. (2009) The Consideration of the Electromagnetic Wave in Dental Material Substitution. Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics Research, 34, 89. [13] Fujii, Y. (2015) Dental Treatment for Dizziness and Joint Mobility Disorder Caused by Harmful Electromagnetic Waves. Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 3, 1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojapr.2015.31001