open access: Control Group Design: Enhancing Rigor in Research of Mind-Body Therapies for Depression

open access

In conclusion, the state of the science in mind-body research is that every systematic review has identified the need for better methodology and more well-controlled studies. Considering the challenge in developing optimal controls, we began with a brief focused review of control groups used in pharmaceutical research. Given that the pharmaceutical sector’s gold standard of randomized and double-blinded design does not typically apply in mind-body therapy research, we briefly reviewed the types of control groups used in the literature on yoga and tai chi for depression. To address the methodological challenges of research on mind-body modalities, we have reviewed key questions researchers should ask when designing control groups and we have suggested multiple ways to minimize bias and maximize validity. We have focused our discussion and recommendations based upon research of two types of mind-body interventions, yoga and tai chi, for depression. However, the recommendations here may be appropriately applied in other modalities and conditions typically examined in complementary and alternative therapy research. Although we acknowledge that these methods are not the only ways for minimizing complications, we expect that this paper begins the discussion amongst our research colleagues about these and other methods for optimal research study design.