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COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS AND HEALTHCARE (MIL-CAM)

INTRODUCTION
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing rapidly in the United States, both by the public and military populations.  As clinical and basic research in CAM increases, it is evident that there is a role for CAM modalities and interventions in the maintenance of personnel health and optimal functioning during military operations. However, little research exists on the potential value of CAM for military activities and environments.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research for Military Operations and Healthcare (MIL-CAM) will systematically identify and investigate selected areas of complementary and alternative medicine for their potential use in the military. The MIL-CAM program, with 2003 funding of $2.0 million, will study CAM treatments that may enhance and maintain military personnel readiness,  effectiveness, and wellbeing, and may mitigate damage from battlefield and  terrorist attack.

The first year goals of MIL-CAM are to critically analyze and assess the state of the science on CAM for the military; investigate and evaluate current CAM treatments for their potential use with military populations and environments; conduct research on CAM practices and treatments, which could have potential use against biological, chemical, and radiation exposures; and for the treatment of pain, bleeding, and injury.

PROCEDURE AND COMPONENTS
MIL-CAM will initially identify and investigate specific CAM approaches that may assist the soldier in the operational environment. These include development of CAM treatments that can be self-delivered in the field. Initial foci will include:

• Acupuncture based technologies for pain
• Electromagnetic (frequency) therapies for wound healing
• Low-dose (hormetic and homeopathic) approaches for protection and treatment related to biological and chemical warfare agents and trauma

FUNDING
MIL-CAM is an international program managed by the Samueli Institute for the Department of Defense.  MIL-CAM research will be conducted at and in affiliation with the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, the University of California, San Francisco, the National Foundation for Alternative Medicine, Windber Research Institute, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Five Mountains Hawaii Community as well as other locations.
 








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  • Pain
     

  • Wound healing
     

  • Biowarfare protection
     

  • Biologics
     

  • Chemicals
     

  • Terrorist agents