The perceived benefit and satisfaction from conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

To describe the perceived benefit and satisfaction from complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional therapies and providers in MS. Cross-sectional mailed survey. One thousand nine hundred and thirteen respondents who were members of the Oregon Chapter of the National MS Society. The benefit rating of both conventional therapies and providers was significantly higher than for CAM therapies and providers (p < 0.001 and < 0.001). When stratifying satisfaction rating by MS disease severity, significant differences were found between CAM providers and neurologists, favoring CAM providers in those with moderate disease severity (p = 0.014) and favoring neurologists in those with severe disease severity (p = 0.032). CAM providers were rated significantly higher than MDs on the following: listening skills (p < 0.001), care and concern (p < 0.001), and patient empowerment (p < 0.001). Although MS patients report significant benefit from conventional therapies and providers; they may seek CAM providers for emotional support. The impact of emotional support gained from providers on quality of life in MS warrant further investigation.