Designing a polarity therapy protocol: Bridging holistic, cultural, and biomedical models of research

SummaryOne of the methodological challenges of conducting CAM therapies research and in particular, biofield/touch therapies research is the development and use of methods that are compatible with the holistic nature of the therapy. Biomedical scientists claim that the “gold standard” of research must be the randomized clinical trial (RCT), which includes a standardized protocol. Conducting an RCT on a biofield/touch therapy often results in structural and conceptual conflicts with the clinical standards necessary to holistic therapies. This paper discusses a polarity therapy protocol designed as an intervention for the reduction of stress in American Indian family caregivers of patients with dementia. The protocol is designed to maximize efficacy and cultural congruency, adhering to the integrity of the holism, while addressing challenges arising from randomized controlled trial methods. The protocol developed for this study is presented and discussed.