Diabetes and complementary therapies: mapping the evidence

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Complementary therapies are widely used by people with diabetes for the condition itself, for diabetes‐related complications or for non‐diabetes related problems. The aim of this review is to summarise the current research evidence on complementary therapies in the management of diabetes and resulting complications.</jats:p><jats:p>The review draws primarily on systematic reviews conducted as part of the CAMEOL project (www.rccm.org.uk/cameol), included in the Cochrane Library or on the National Library for Health Complementary and Alternative Medicine Specialist Library (www.library.nhs.uk/cam). Searches were also carried out for studies published subsequently or on other therapies to provide an indication of overall research activity.</jats:p><jats:p>Systematic reviews were found or conducted on a range of herbs, dietary supplements, massage, acupuncture, homoeopathy, hypnotherapy, meditation, reflexology and yoga. Individual studies were located on several other therapies. Studies addressed metabolic control, general well‐being and complications. Herbs and dietary supplements continue to be the main focus of research activity. Acupuncture trials are also numerous but almost exclusively conducted in China using traditional approaches. For most other therapies, research evidence is limited by extent or quality.</jats:p><jats:p>Overall, limited data from well‐designed randomised controlled trials are available and results are difficult to translate into clinical practice. Based on promising findings, several herbs, dietary supplements, exercise or body‐based therapies and acupuncture require further investigation. For most therapies, well‐designed robust studies replicating small preliminary studies are required to support those involved in diabetes care in providing evidence‐based advice on the safe and effective use of complementary therapies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley &amp; Sons.</jats:p>