Our Research

Active and Ongoing Research Studies

The Thoracic Peri-Operative Integrative Surgical Care Evaluation (POISE) Trial

Study Status: Recruiting

Our research team has partnered with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to create the first randomized clinical trial in North America studying the real-world effects of integrative care guided by a naturopathic doctor (ND) in patients with lung and gastro-esophageal cancers. Patients in this study will receive either recommendations from an ND alongside their conventional treatments (integrative group) or conventional care alone (control group). Outcome measures include quality of life, qualitative experience, adverse events, blood markers, and survival. Together with other clinics across Ontario, the study team will recruit and follow 350 participants over the next 10 years.

Clinical trials identifier: NCT02845479

Adjunctive Intravenous Ascorbic Acid for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (AIVAA)

Study Status: Application Submitted

We have partnered with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute have partnered to conduct a blinded, randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of intravenous vitamin C (IVC) on the quality of life of patients with incurable lung cancer. Patients in the treatment arm will receive routine chemotherapy plus high dose IVC for six months, with those in the control arm receiving routine chemotherapy plus a placebo infusion for the same duration. Outcomes include quality of life, chemotherapy-associated side effects, safety, progression, and survival. We plan to enroll 90 patients who will be followed over the next eight years.

The Canadian/US Integrative Oncology Study (CUSIOS)

Study Status: Closed to Recruitment

Working in partnership with Bastyr University, we have initiated a North American study to explore the impact of complementary care delivered by NDs for patients with advanced breast, colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer. 12 clinics across North America have recruited patients to participate in this prospective observational study to describe quality of life, costs, qualitative experiences, and survival outcomes. Recruitment is now complete, with 400 patients enrolled, and the data is currently being analyzed.

Clinical trials identifier: NCT02494037

Dietary Supplements for People with COVID-19

Study Status: Closed to Recruitment

We have partnered with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to conduct a blinded, placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial studying the effectiveness of dietary supplements in treating patients in the community with COVID-19. Patients in the treatment arm will receive vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K2, and zinc for 21 days, with those in the control arm receiving a placebo. Outcomes to be measured include overall health, health status, symptom severity and duration, and frequency of hospitalizations. Recruitment for this study was terminated prematurely due to feasibility concerns in October 2022 and the data is currently being analyzed.

Clinical trials identifier: NCT04780061

A Prospective Outcomes Evaluation of Inspire Now - A Program for People with Lung Cancer

Study Status: Recruiting

Our research team is evaluating the Inspire Now program – a support program for people living with lung cancer. Fifty program participants will be recruited in order to determine if the program has an effect on the quality of life, specific concerns, and general wellbeing of the participants. Researchers are utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods to track participant experiences throughout the program. This study is currently active and recruiting with each program session; all who are eligible for the program are able to participate in this research study.

Exploring the effectiveness of a Yoga Therapy Program to Improve Physical and Psychological Outcomes Among Cancer Survivors

Study Status: Closed to Recruitment

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the yoga therapy program offered at the CHI for improving autonomic nervous system functioning and patient-reported outcomes among cancer survivors. Anecdotal evidence suggests yoga therapy can help lower stress, increase body awareness, and feelings of empowerment; however, the effectiveness of this intervention in promoting autonomic nervous system functioning and improving patient-reported outcomes has not been empirically evaluated. Specifically, the study seeks to determine if there are changes in self-reported and objective autonomic nervous system functioning in cancer survivors before and after a one-on-one yoga therapy session, and after a 6 week group yoga therapy program, and whether these changes are maintained for 6 weeks after completion of the yoga program. This study is a collaborative effort between the CHI and the University of Ottawa.

Exploring the effectiveness of a Yoga Therapy Program to Improve Physical and Psychological Outcomes Among Cancer Survivors

Study Status: Closed to Recruitment

Research Summaries for Integrative Therapies

To support informed decision-making, we are committed to developing evidence-based research summaries for selected integrative cancer therapies. These summaries also called monographs, synthesize the safety and effectiveness of some of the more invasive and controversial complementary therapies used in the context of cancer.

Here you will find the research summaries we have published to date. There are patient versions (a quick summary) as well as health professional versions (a longer, fully cited and more detailed summary). We do our best to keep the monographs up to date, however please note that the monographs only encompass information known at the time of writing.

Patient Versions

Intravenous Curcumin

Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Artemisinin

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)

Intravenous Vitamin C

Locoregional Hyperthermia (LRHT)

Dichloroacetate (DCA)

Health Professional Versions

Intravenous Curcumin

Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Artemisinin