Evidence-based vendors should have results to share from one or more clinical trials conducted by medical and research professionals trained in human subjects research. (Photo: Shutterstock)

When it comes to choosing a targeted solution for a specific clinical condition, the most challenging task can be differentiating between evidence-based and experimental offerings.

Vendors often use buzzwords like “clinically proven” and misleading statistics to sound compelling, but unpublished data, such as marketing claims, company white papers and testimonials are not the same as evidence-based medicine.

How pervasive is this issue? Out of 318,000 mobile health apps, a 2017 industry report found only 571 published studies testing apps in trials. Couple this with systematic reviews published in 2011 and 2014 that found companies receiving no return on investment for worksite health promotion programs, and the picture is clear: the workplace wellness industry has a reputation for under-delivering on its promises.