Wayne Jonas

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Mark Shekoyan, PhD

University of Oregon

Charles Tart

University of California, Davis

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University of Wisconsin-Madison

karolyn van putten

Laney College

Krista B McQueeney

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

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vasile iunac

Newbold College of Higher Education

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Kasetsart University

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Claremont School of Theology

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Papers by Wayne Jonas

A critical overview of homeopathy

Annals of internal medicine

TO THE EDITOR: In light of the findings of Auerbach and Meltzer and colleagues (1, 2), specifical... more TO THE EDITOR: In light of the findings of Auerbach and Meltzer and colleagues (1, 2), specifically that hospitalists' efficiency of care became more evident during the second year of each of their studies, we would like to present a subanalysis of published data that also supports increased hospitalist efficiency (3). Rifkin and colleagues studied 455 patients who were hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia and were cared for by a full-time hospitalist or a communitybased primary care physician during 1 calendar year (3). After multivariate adjustment, the authors concluded that hospitalist care yielded shorter length of stay (6.5 vs. 5.6 days; P Ͻ 0.001) and lower costs ($4501 vs. $3907; P ϭ 0.03), with mostly similar processes of care and no statistically significant difference in inpatient mortality rates. For the 9 hospitalists and 56 primary care physicians included in the analysis, the mean number of years since medical school graduation was 5.1 years and 20.6 years, respectively (P Ͻ 0.001). Thus, length of stay was shorter and costs were lower even though hospitalists had been in practice about 25% as long as the other physicians, although hospitalists may have had greater disease-specific experience.

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Crawford CC, Sparber AG, Jonas WBA systematic review of the quality of research on hands-on and distance healing: clinical and laboratory studies. Altern Ther Health Med 9: A96-A104

Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Purpose • To systematically review the quality of published experimental clinical and laboratory ... more Purpose • To systematically review the quality of published experimental clinical and laboratory research involving hands-on healing and distance healing between 1955 and 2001. Data Sources • Studies were identified through comprehensive literature searches on spiritual healing in MEDLINE, PSYCH LIT, EMBASE, CIS-COM, and the Cochrane Library from their inceptions to December 2001. Study Selection • We selected published randomized, controlled trials of spiritual healing (hands-on healing and distance healing) done in clinical and laboratory settings, all of which had been peer reviewed. Data Extraction • Independent quality assessment of internal validity was conducted on all identified studies using the comprehensive Likelihood of Validity Evaluation scale. Clinical and laboratory studies were analyzed separately and then subdivided into handson healing or distance healing interventions. Results • A total of 45 laboratory and 45 clinical studies published between 1956 and 2001 met the inclusion criteria. Of the clinical studies, 31 (70.5%) reported positive outcomes as did 28 (62%) of the laboratory studies; 4 (9%) of the clinical studies reported negative outcomes as did 15 (33%) of the laboratory studies. The mean percent overall internal validity for clinical studies was 69% (65% for hands-on heal-ing and 75% for distance healing) and for laboratory studies 82% (82% for hands-on healing and 81% for distance healing). Major methodological problems of these studies included adequacy of blinding, dropped data in laboratory studies, reliability of outcome measures, rare use of power estimations and confidence intervals, and lack of independent replication. Conclusions • When laboratory studies were compared to clinical studies in the areas of hands-on healing and distance healing across the quality criteria for internal validity, distance healing studies scored better than hands-on healing studies, and laboratory studies fared better than clinical studies.

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Investigating the impact of optimal healing environments

by Wayne Jonas and Ronald Chez

Alternative therapies in health and medicine

1. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Nov-Dec;9(6):36-40. Investigating the impact of optimal healingen... more

Improving standards of evidence-based medicine: keeping it not simple

[Are homeopathic studies better-fated in India?]

by Wayne Jonas and David Anick

Forschende Komplementärmedizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde / Research in Complementary and Classical Natural Medicine

wurde durch tiigliche Telefoninterviews erhoben. Es wurde noch ein Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt eingesch... more wurde durch tiigliche Telefoninterviews erhoben. Es wurde noch ein Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt eingeschaltet, der gegentiber der Behandlungszuteilung verblindet war und einen objektiven Status erfasste. Insofern versucht diese Studie vor allem auf objektive, nachpr0fbare und allgemein akzeptierte Messkriterien zurtickzugreifen, um den Erfolg der Behandlung zu belegen. Hierzu wurden die wichtigsten Variablen auch iiber Tagebuch erhoben. Nur die Thgebuchaufzeichnungen zeigten signifikante Unterschiede nach 24 und 64 Stunden. Auch wenn das Hauptzielkriterium, niimlich Behandlungsmisserfolg, zu keinem Zeitpunkt einen signifikanten Unterschied zeigte, so sind die berichtigten Effektstiirken, niimlich das relative Risiko nach 5 Tagen, 2 und 6 Wochen, doch erstaunlich hoch (RR = 0,7L b2w.0,66), bedenkt man, dass biniire Zielkriterien in den meisten Fiillen weniger sensitiv sind als kontinuierliche. Interessant ist vor allem, dass sich der Unterschied zwischen den Gruppen auch nach 6 Wochen noch deutlich zeigt, was einen Langzeiteffekt nahelegen wtirde. l*tzterer sollte vielleicht durch die Anzahl der nachfolgenden Antibiotikabehandlungen verobjektiviert werden. Insgesamt erscheint diese Studie methodisch sauber durchgefiihrt, die Daten sprechen wenn schon keine starke, so doch eine konsistente Sprache, und die EffekhtArken, die diese Studie ermittelt, liegen zwar in einem eher kleinen, aber m6glicherweise doch therapeutisch interessanten Bereich. Eine Fallzahlkalkulation, die ergibt, dass etwa 500 Kinder notwendig wtiren, um den gesehenen Unterschied statistisch signifikant zu belegen, zeigt jedoch, dass in einer solchen kontrollierten Studie die in der Praxis beobachteten Effekte offensichtlich um einiges kleiner sind, als man sich das wiinschen wiirde. Bleibt nur zu hoffen und zu wiinschen, dass eine Hauptstudie, die auf diesem Pilotergebnis aufbaut, mindestens ebenso deutliche Erfolge zeigt. Sukul NC, De A, Dutta {Nagy g, Sukul A, Sinhababu Sp: Nux vomica 3O prepared with and without succussion shows antialcoholic effects on toads and distinctive molecular association. Br Homoeopath J 2OOl;90:79-85. Adult toads, Bufo melanostictus,were administered Nux vomica (Nux v) 30 prepared with and without succussion on the tongue. The drug was mixed with sterile distilled water at the rate 0.05 mUml water and given orally 0.05 ml/individual. The control consisted of blank ethanol solution. Seeds of Strychnos nuxvomina were ground and extracted with 90% ethanol in the laboratory. Nux v 30 was prepared by successive dilution and succussion in 30 steps, Nux v 30 u was prepared by successive dilution only. 4 h after treatment, toads were given 25% ethanol i.p. at 8 g/kg body weight. The duration of ethanol induced sleep time was recorded for each toad. Both Nux v 30 and Nux v 30 u significantly reduced ethanol induced sleep time in toads as compared to their respective controls.

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How to teach a systematic review workshop using evidence-based medicine methodology in the field of CAM/IM

A systematic review is the gold standard approach for integrating evidence-based information and ... more A systematic review is the gold standard approach for integrating evidence-based information and assessing gaps in healthcare, which require a specific and precise methodology not always taught in educational institutions or applied in practice. This lack in knowledge on how to properly conduct a systematic review impedes the development of rational, evidence-based health policy and contributes to the gap in translating evidence into practice as information in complementary and alternative medicine and integrative healthcare (CAM/IM) research continues to grow. In order to bridge this gap, Samueli Institute has developed a systematic review curriculum and teaches a 3-day introductory workshop on systematic review methodology and how to conduct a systematic review in a step-wise manner in the field of CAM/IM research. The instructors will share their hands-on approach to teaching and discuss diversities in learning while conquering five objectives of the curriculum. Instructors will ...

Advancing CAM/IM research with the claim assessment profile

by Wayne Jonas and Lara Hilton

The push towards grounding healing claims in an evidence base is underway. It is not appropriate ... more The push towards grounding healing claims in an evidence base is underway. It is not appropriate to evaluate all claims of healing with the same methods. The gold standard RCT may skip important qualitative and observational data about use, impacts, and benefits. This gap has prompted a move towards studying treatments in their naturalistic settings. Bridging this gap, Samueli Institute created a methodology called Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Healing (SEaRCH) by offering a scientifically rigorous, systematic, and streamlined framework for evaluating claims of therapies, practices or products for treating disease and improving health. The Claim Assessment Profile (CAP) is a segment of SEaRCH. The CAP methodology was designed to study treatments in their natural setting. The CAP provides an independent snapshot of the characteristics of a clinical practice and determines the viability of studying the claim in a clinic's actual practice. The CAP method is highly c...

Advancing CAM/IM research with clinical and research expert panels

by I. Coulter and Wayne Jonas

Despite widespread use and benefit claims for serious disease, relatively little research has bee... more Despite widespread use and benefit claims for serious disease, relatively little research has been established regarding the efficacy and safety for the majority of healing practices. Given the diversity of scientific and clinical information available to health care providers, it is essential to have methodologies that synthesize and distill the quality of information that is available. Thus, an evidence gap still exists for patients and practitioners in making appropriate decisions regarding health and health care. Samueli Institute created the Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Healing (SEaRCH) to fill this gap offering scientifically rigorous, systematic and streamlined method for evaluating claims of therapies, practices or products for treating disease and improving health. Expert Panels are a component of SEaRCH. Clinical Expert Panels (CEP) offer valuable insight into the scientific evidence and what experts believe about a given clinical practice, product or trea...

Advancing CAM/IM research with the rapid evidence assessment of the literature process

Systematic reviews are widely recognized as the best means of synthesizing clinical research; how... more Systematic reviews are widely recognized as the best means of synthesizing clinical research; however traditional approaches can be costly and time-consuming, and the results may be difficult to interpret in a meaningful way in order to make research recommendations or clinical decisions about implementation. In order to bridge this gap, Samueli Institute created the Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Healing (SEaRCH) by offering a scientifically rigorous, systematic, and streamlined method for evaluating claims of therapies, practices or products for treating disease and improving health. The Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature (REAL) is a segment of SEaRCH. The REAL methodology was designed to streamline the systematic review process without compromising quality. The REAL process provides an independent snapshot of the literature to (1) provide up-to-date, objective, high quality information on healing practices, products, programs and policies; and (2) determin...

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms-Reply

JAMA internal medicine, 2015

Ways to enhance the quality and acceptance of clinical and laboratory studies in homoeopathy

British Homoeopathic Journal, 1994

Three ways to enhance acceptance and publication of clinical trials in homoeopathy and confirmato... more

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Balanced research strategies for complementary and alternative medicine

Clinical Research in Complementary Therapies, 2002

The role of outcomes research in evaluating complementary and alternative medicine

Clinical Research in Complementary Therapies, 2002

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Nonlinear effects of glutamate and KCl on glutamate toxicity in cultured rat cerebellar neurons

by Wayne Jonas and Krishna Banaudha

The International journal of neuroscience, 2003

Nonlinear responses to toxin exposure have been observed in multiple cell types and organisms acr... more Nonlinear responses to toxin exposure have been observed in multiple cell types and organisms across a wide array of phyla. High dose toxin exposures inhibit or kill biological systems, while low dose exposures can stimulate survival mechanisms. We examined the effects of low (10(-3), 10(-5), 10(-7), and 10(-9) M) and ultra-low (10(-25) and 10(-61) M) KCl and glutamate pretreatment (72 h) against glutamate toxicity in rat cerebellar neurons. Ultra-low dilutions (10(-31), 10(-61), and 10(-401)) of an Arnica montana mother tincture were also investigated for their neuroprotective potentials. Viability was significantly enhanced in neurons pretreated with either 10(-3) M glutamate (10.6%) or 10(-9) M KCl (6.3%). None of the toxins evaluated displayed significant toxicity at the concentrations indicated. The protective effect of glutamate is likely mediated through activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, whereas low dose KCl might confer neuroprotection through enhanced alteration...

The ritual of hyperbaric oxygen and lessons for the treatment of persistent postconcussion symptoms in military personnel

JAMA internal medicine, 2015

Nutritional armor: omega-3 for the warfighter

Military medicine, 2014

Pain and opioids in the military: we must do better

JAMA internal medicine, 2014

Nonlinear effects of nanoparticles: biological variability from hormetic doses, small particle sizes, and dynamic adaptive interactions

Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society, 2014

Researchers are increasingly focused on the nanoscale level of organization where biological proc... more Researchers are increasingly focused on the nanoscale level of organization where biological processes take place in living systems. Nanoparticles (NPs, e.g., 1-100 nm diameter) are small forms of natural or manufactured source material whose properties differ markedly from those of the respective bulk forms of the "same" material. Certain NPs have diagnostic and therapeutic uses; some NPs exhibit low-dose toxicity; other NPs show ability to stimulate low-dose adaptive responses (hormesis). Beyond dose, size, shape, and surface charge variations of NPs evoke nonlinear responses in complex adaptive systems. NPs acquire unique size-dependent biological, chemical, thermal, optical, electromagnetic, and atom-like quantum properties. Nanoparticles exhibit high surface adsorptive capacity for other substances, enhanced bioavailability, and ability to cross otherwise impermeable cell membranes including the blood-brain barrier. With super-potent effects, nano-forms can evoke cell...

Systematic assessment of the quality of research studies of conventional and alternative treatment(s) of primary headache

Pain physician

Diversity of treatments used for headache, and varied quality of research conduct and reporting m... more Diversity of treatments used for headache, and varied quality of research conduct and reporting make it difficult to accurately assess the literature and to determine the best treatment(s) for patients. To compare the quality of available research evidence describing the effects and outcomes of conventional, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches to treating primary (migraine, tension, and/or cluster-type) headache. A systematic review of quality of research studies of conventional and alternative treatment(s) of primary headache. Randomized, controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of treatment(s) of chronic primary headache (in English between 1979 to June 2004) were searched through MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and the NIH databases. Studies were evaluated using standard approaches for assessing and analyzing quality indicators. 125 studies of conventional, and 121 CAM treatments met inclusion criteria. 80% of studies of conventional treatment(s) rep...

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A systematic review of the quality of homeopathic clinical trials

BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 2001

While a number of reviews of homeopathic clinical trials have been done, all have used methods de... more While a number of reviews of homeopathic clinical trials have been done, all have used methods dependent on allopathic diagnostic classifications foreign to homeopathic practice. In addition, no review has used established and validated quality criteria allowing direct comparison of the allopathic and homeopathic literature. In a systematic review, we compared the quality of clinical-trial research in homeopathy to a sample of research on conventional therapies using a validated and system-neutral approach. All clinical trials on homeopathic treatments with parallel treatment groups published between 1945-1995 in English were selected. All were evaluated with an established set of 33 validity criteria previously validated on a broad range of health interventions across differing medical systems. Criteria covered statistical conclusion, internal, construct and external validity. Reliability of criteria application is greater than 0.95. 59 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these,...

$Table |: Variables and Definitions Used in Systematic Review ‘ated as any groups < 10 or correlations with fewer than 30 pairs. ‘vidence of non-normal distributions with parametric statistics (ore than 10 statistical tests without a Bonferroni (or similar) correction. ailure to test, note or reference information on measures ailure to test or note consistently of the application of treatments \bsence of effort to make measurements reasonably consistent. \bsence of effort to ensure that sample is reasonably$