Application of complementary and alternative medicine in epileptic children at a tertiary pediatric neurology center in Turkey

Abstract

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the application of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in pediatric epilepsy patients. MethodsThe parents of 202 epilepsy patients being followed at the Pediatric Neurology outpatient clinic of the Istanbul Medical Faculty were interviewed face-to-face between November 2010 and February 2011. ResultsAt least one CAM method had been used by 95% of interviewed families. Religious practices were used by 94.1% of families. Non-religious spiritual practices were used by 9.9% and other alternative treatment methods by 27.7%. Families had started to use CAM at the suggestion of their doctor in 6.9% of the cases. Compared to the medium and high-income group, religious practices (96.8% vs 64.7%, p: 0.000) and regular prayer (92.4% vs 58.8%, p: 0.000) were significantly more prevalent in the low-income group. Regular prayer was more common in families where patients had moderately frequent or frequent seizures, while families of patients with rare seizures more commonly used religious practices other than regular prayer (p: 0.038, 0.027). The number of antiepileptics used and special education were found to correlate with the use of other alternative treatment methods (p: 0.002, 0.000). Families of patients with rare seizures are more inclined to see benefit in CAM (p=0.043). ConclusionReligious practices are the most frequently used type of CAM in families with epileptic children. The economic status of the parents and the course of the disease are the main factors that influence the choice between religious, spiritual and other CAM practices and the perception of benefit from them.