A good word for nutritional supplements. A BU School of Medicine analysis of 15 studies on the effectiveness of the nutritional supplements glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis concludes that while the compounds certainly don't cure, they can help ease symptoms and are safe. The supplements are synthetic versions of the natural body substances that help build cartilage. They are usually sold in health food stores.

Assistant Professor Timothy McAlindon and colleagues evaluated six studies on glucosamine and nine on chondroitin. McAlindon says that much of the research on the supplements is flawed, but that the studies did show "moderate to large" benefits from the supplements, especially chondroitin, in easing symptoms.

McAlindon says that his conclusions are "a little more positive" than the "profound skepticism which has existed" regarding the efficacy of these two heavily marketed supplements.

"I'm not actively recommending" chondroitin and glucosamine, he told the Associated Press, "but I certainly don't discourage people from trying them provided they're cognizant of the available data."

The team notes some of the many scientific flaws of previous studies: selectively publishing positive but not negative results; studies that were sponsored by the supplements' manufacturers; and placebo studies in which the patients knew the identity of the substance they received -- a crucial error.

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, afflicts more than 20 million people nationwide. (Not part of the study were the supplements' effects on symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammation of the joint lining.) The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 20 percent of Americans will suffer from arthritis by 2020.

John Klippel, the medical director of the Arthritis Foundation, cites the BUSM study as "an important contribution" because the authors deciphered hard-to-interpret studies and provide a useful assessment of the latest research.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. It appeared in the March 15 Journal of the American Medical Association and was reported by the Associated Press.

Rehabbing vocational counselors. A $500,000 grant has enabled SAR's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation to launch a certificate program to train vocational counselors to better meet the special needs of clients with psychiatric disabilities or mental illnesses.

More and more of these people are moving into the workplace and require specialized job training. "Many vocational counselors lack the expertise to help their clients with psychiatric disabilities make the most of vocational rehabilitation," explains Debbie Nicolellis, program manager. "This one-year certificate program will improve and enhance the skills of vocational rehabilitation practitioners so they can better understand the specific needs of clients with mental illness."

The program, designed for working professionals, is taught in six two-day sessions and involves hands-on exercises with a counselor's clients. Students learn to carefully identify the clients' needs and wishes, keep trainees involved in their vocational rehabilitation, secure the "best fit" work environment, and counsel a culturally diverse clientele.

The program was funded by a rehabilitation long-term training grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration. Full tuition is available for eligible applicants, and participants may receive credit for 72 professional development hours from the University. Since November 1999, about 60 vocational rehabilitation counselors have participated.

Founded in 1979, the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation is a pioneer in improving the effectiveness of programs and service systems for persons who have psychiatric disabilities.

"Research Briefs" is written by Janice Zazinski in the Office of Public Relations. To read more about BU research, visit http://www.bu.edu/research.