ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the various complementary and alternative therapies used in the context of palliative care. It explores the scientific literature for the efficacy of complementary and alternative therapies used in palliative care. The explosive use of complementary and alternative therapies by postmodern societies to prevent, promote and restore individual health defies, at one level, reasonable logic given that there are no standards of training and education for Complementary and Alternative Medical Systems (CAMS) practitioners that equates with professions. Conversely, alternative therapies are used instead of mainstream medical models, such as homeopathy and traditional Oriental medicine. Economists highlight that, globally, billions of pounds are spent annually on CAMS, which far outweighs the expenditure on conventional therapies. Contemporary palliative nursing practice is a complex business given the changes incurred through advancements in technology, therapeutic practices, and a plethora of research evidence. Scientific evidence is usually determined through the rigours of randomised controlled trials.
