Look for studies by universities or reputable companies. An effective therapy improves health and well-being by improving survival, reducing pain or discomfort, reducing tumor size, improving appetite or weight gain, or improving general quality of life. Evidence of efficacy can come from anecdotal reports, studies of a series of cases treated at a particular clinic, or results from randomized controlled trials. Anecdotal reports, which can be an important source of information, consist of testimonials from individuals who've tried certain therapies. Remember though, therapies that work for one individual may not work for another, and testimonials from individuals who didn't respond to a therapy often aren't reported.
Case studies consist of a collection of outcomes from a clinic or institution.
Good case studies ensure that all patients have an established diagnosis and follow a prescribed treatment. All results are included, regardless of the outcome. Case studies usually compare the outcomes of patients who received the therapy with a control group who didn't receive the therapy. The control group should be matched by general health, age, diagnosis, and prior treatment, as well as any other factors that might affect the study's outcome. Randomized controlled trials are the best measure of efficacy.