Example alternative therapies dissertation topic 1:

Common High Street Chinese remedies: Healing or hokum?

In recent years the popularity of alternative Chinese medicine has increased within the UK with the number of Chinese medical establishments rising exponentially. This investigation involves 20 students from the University of London who are split into a controlled group and variable group. Each participant chosen will be suffering from influenza and will either be given Chinese herbal remedies or Beecham’s Powders dispensed by a shopkeeper rather than a trained practitioner – the participants will thereafter be asked to keep a diary as to their progress in getting better. A small scale sample means that this is very much a pilot study suited for undergraduate level. Nevertheless, it does enable the researcher to address a number of related issues, undertake primary research and become adept at conforming to research ethics.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Chen, X., Wu, T. and Liu, G. (2006). ‘Chinese medicinal herbs for influenza: A systematic review’. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, vol. 12(2), pp. 171-180.
• Wang, L., Zhang, R. M., Liu, G. Y., Wei, B. L., Wang, Y., Cai, H. Y., … and Wang, G. (2010). ‘Chinese herbs in treatment of influenza: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial’. Respiratory Medicine, vol. 104(9), pp. 1362-1369.
• Wang, X., Jia, W., Zhao, A. and Wang, X. (2006). ‘Anti-influenza agents from plants and traditional Chinese medicine’. Phytotherapy Research, vol. 20(5), pp. 335-341.