Use of Traditional and Complementary Medical Care by Patients With Multiple Sclerosis in South-East Queensland

Abstract

ABSTRACT Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that causes significant disability and dependence on health care. This study was performed to assess the use of traditional and complementary health care by 40 patients with clinically definite MS in South-East Queensland, Australia. Their clinical and personal details and use of traditional and complementary health care were recorded during interviews in the six-month study period from June 1996 to December 1996. All patients were under the care of a neurologist and a general practitioner. More than half (52.5%) of the patients used physiotherapy; among patients older than 40, use of physiotherapy reached 61%. Eighty percent of subjects were seen at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland, a charitable organization that delivers MS care. Thirty-three of 40 patients (82.5%) had used complementary therapy at some point; 93% of the women with MS had used this form of therapy. Older patients were less likely to use complementary therapy than were younger ones. Median cost to users of complementary therapy was $100 per month (Australian dollars). (Int J MS Care. 2001; 3(1): 13–28)