Evaluation Indicators for Priorities of Standardization in Traditional Medicine: using Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)

the effects of IC on clinical outcomes using a practice-based research model. The purpose of this ongoing prospective study is to assess levels of pain and stress before and after IC visits to inform clinical practice and guide future research. Methods: Patients 18 years or older receiving treatment at an IC practice over a four-week period completed self-report measures before andafter eachvisit. Reason for visit and treatment modality were examined. Pain and stress were assessed using a 10-point Likert scale (0 = nopain, 10 = unbearable pain). Paired sample t-tests were used to examine pre and post differences in outcomes. Changes in the pain and stress scores by type of visit were also assessed. Results: Forty-eight percent of patients completed the selfreportmeasures (n=62; 70% female;Mage=48; 76%Caucasia n). Pain (23.5%) and stress (9.8%) were reported as the primary reasons for the IC visit. Integrative physician consults and massage therapy were the most common visit types (34.1% and 30.1%, respectively). Overall, levels of pain (Mpre=3.45 vs. Mpost=2.56; t = 3.23, pu003c .01) and stress (Mpre=5.05 vs. Mpost=2.44; t = 5.37, pu003c .01) significantly decreased after IC visits. When examined by type of visit, pain (t=4.64, pu003c .01) and stress (t=4.04, pu003c.01) significantly decreased for patients receiving massage, reflexology or acupuncture but not physician consults. Conclusion: Pain and stress significantly decreased following IC visits, particularly for patients receiving massage, reflexology or acupuncture. With a larger sample size over time (estimated N=500 surveys by May 2015), and utilizing more advanced statistical techniques, examining clinical trends in pain and stress may help assess dosing effects of therapies and inform future clinical trials. Contact: Monzer Haj-Hamed, hajhammr@mail.uc.edu