Overview

The Center for Functional Medicine was introduced at Cleveland Clinic in October of 2014, and is the first functional medicine practice to exist within an academic medical center in the U.S. The Center was tasked to transform healthcare using an innovative model of care that shifts the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach.

The Center is committed to doing quality, rigorous research that evaluates the impact of the functional medicine model of care on patient outcomes. Current research includes investigations of the model of care and/or targeted interventions for specific chronic conditions.

If you are interested in learning more or collaborating with our research program, please contact: fmresearch@ccf.org.

Help Us Transform Healthcare

If you are interested in supporting healthcare transformation through research, community outreach and education at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, please contact: giving@ccf.org.

Current Studies

Assessment of Diabetes Control, Cost of Care, and Quality of Life Utilizing a Functional Medicine Approach in Addition to Usual Care vs. Usual Care Alone

    IRB Study Number: 16-1339
    Status: Enrolling
    Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
    Institute: Endocrinology & Metabolism and Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
    Description: This study aims to determine whether the functional medicine approach to the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetics enhances usual care delivered by an endocrinologist with respect to diabetes control, insulin use and cardiovascular risk factors.

Cost Analysis – Functional Medicine Patients Compared to Non-Functional Medicine Patients

    IRB Study Number: 16-626
    Status: Closed
    Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
    Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
    Description: This study aims to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the management of chronic illnesses for functional medicine patients compared to non-functional medicine patients.

Center for Functional Medicine Patient Registry

    IRB Study Number: 17-999
    Status: Active
    Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
    Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
    Description: This registry houses biometrics, laboratory results, and patient-reported outcome measures for patients seen in one-on-one and shared medical settings within the Center for Functional Medicine.

Evaluating the Effects of a Functional Medicine Shared Medical Appointment Setting on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures

    IRB Study Number: 19-343
    Status: Closed
    Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
    Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
    Description: This study aims to evaluate the longitudinal effect of the Center for Functional Medicine’s Functioning For Life® Shared Medical Appointment programs versus one-on-one appointments on health outcomes in patients with similar chronic conditions.

Evaluating Diabetes Control, Cost of Care, and Quality of Life Utilizing a Functional Medicine Approach

    IRB Study Number: 19-720
    Status: Active
    Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
    Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
    Description: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the functional medicine model of care on the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetics as it relates to diabetes control, insulin use and cardiovascular risk factors.
    Published Manuscript: Patient outcomes and costs associated with functional medicine-based care in a shared versus individual setting for patients with chronic conditions: a retrospective cohort study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33849860/

Feasibility of a Functioning For Life® Shared Medical Appointment in the Community Setting

    IRB Study Number: 19-1065
    Status: Closed to Enrollment
    Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
    Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
    Description: This study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a shared medical appointment in a community setting to support residents with preventable chronic conditions.
    Published Manuscript: A nutrition and lifestyle-focused shared medical appointment in a resource-challenged community setting: a mixed-methods study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35255887/