The NADA-protocol is an acclaimed and rapidly expanding complementary form of therapy suited to treat individuals suffering from dependencies, pressure, psychosocial emergencies, and psychiatric disorders. The study situation with regard to the NADA-protocol is inconsistent for three main reasons: inadequate research methodology, a limited comprehension of the mode of action of the NADA-protocol, as well as a limited understanding of the NADA-protocol complementarity. Successive to an evaluation of the major studies, a research strategy is derived. The future of evaluating the NADA-protocol arises from research performed under conditions according to general standards of care (comparative effectiveness research = study of effectiveness instead of efficacy). Alleged placebo or sham-techniques should not be used as controls, rather validated and well introduced forms of therapy should be applied. This research approach should integrate the evolving acupressure within the context of the NADA-protocol.