Common Type Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Research Articles

Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with hematological cancers in Malaysia.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is often used by cancer patients, but not many studies had been published on the prevalence of CAM use in patients with hematological cancers. This study aims to determine the prevalence of CAM and type of CAM used in this group of patients in a multiracial and multicultural country. This is a cross-sectional survey carried out in two hospitals in Malaysia. Patients with underlying hematological cancers were asked to complete the questionnaires on CAM and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A total of 245 patients participated. The prevalence of CAM use was 70.2 %. The most common types of CAM used are biological-based therapies (90.2 %) and mind-body interventions (42 %). Vitamin and diet supplements (68.6 %) and folk/herb remedies (58 %) are the most common biological-based therapies used. There is no significant association of CAM use with age, gender, education level, and household income. Female patients are more likely to use more than one CAM therapies. The most common reason reported for CAM use was to boost immunity (57 %) and cure (24 %). Majority of patients (65 %) felt CAM was effective, and 60 % did not inform their physicians regarding CAM usage. In view of the high prevalence of CAM use in patients with hematological cancers, it is important that the physicians play an active role in seeking information from patients and to monitor possible drug-vitamin-herbal interactions.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine across the childbirth spectrum in China

Over the last decade, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been widely used in maternity practice all over the world. Women from different cultural backgrounds prefer the use of specific CAM modalities. The objectives of this study were to explore the use of CAM, the types of CAM practitioners consulted, and perceptions of the efficacy of CAM among a sample of Chinese postpartum women. The study's second objective was to investigate common patterns of CAM provided and the reasons for a CAM recommendation to childbearing women, from the perspective of obstetric staff. This cross-sectional survey was undertaken at a university-affiliated general hospital and a maternity and child health hospital in Guangzhou, China. Patients were approached from both the postnatal wards and the postnatal outpatient departments, and healthcare professionals were obstetric staff, including doctors, midwives and nurses who work in the department of obstetrics. A total of 306 patients and 225 obstetric staff completed the questionnaire. The mean age of these patients and obstetric staff was 29.28 (SD 4.31), and 31.01 (SD 6.97) years old, respectively. Questionnaire data revealed the prevalence of CAM use among patients was 42.8%. Common types of CAM used and provided by the studied hospitals include acupressure (43.5%), massage therapy (32.0%), reflexology (30.2%), acupuncture (23.5%), and herbal medicine (20.0%). Most Chinese women used CAM therapies during the postnatal period (30.9%). These women mainly used CAM for pain relief (22.2%) and relaxation (18.3%). The most common reasons for health professionals to recommend CAM to patients, were patient demand (81.3%) and CAM's proven efficacy (81.3%). In order to communicate effectively about CAM, health professionals should undertake continuing professional development on updated perspectives of CAM use in obstetrics, and equip themselves with updated knowledge about the evidence-base for CAM, in order to provide efficient and qualified care to potential CAM users.

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Irish Pediatric Cancer Patients

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the Irish pediatric cancer setting has not previously been established. To investigate the prevalence and predictors of CAM use in this group of patients, an anonymous cross-sectional survey was offered to all carers of patients either on or off treatment for malignancy at a single pediatric cancer center over an 8-week period. Of a total of 220 questionnaires distributed, 98 (43%) were returned. Six were excluded because of inadequate data. A total of 58% of children were male and the mean age was 9 years. The most common cancer diagnosis was leukemia (45%). Fifty-two respondents (57%) said their child had used or was using CAM, and 55% of whom had started since their cancer diagnosis. The most common types of CAM used were vitamins and minerals (18%), reflexology (11%), dietary supplements (11%), faith healers (9%), and energy therapies (9%). The most common reason for CAM use was to improve physical well-being (31%). A total of 65% of CAM users had not told their doctor that they were doing so. Of the 52 CAM users, 30 (58%) were using oral CAM medication. A total of 86% of CAM users reported benefit from the treatment, and no respondent reported side effects.There was no significant relationship between sex, tumor type, age, income, previous treatment, and CAM use. Where parents had a higher level of education, children were more likely to use CAM (P=0.035.) There was a statistically significant relationship between respondents rating of conventional therapy and CAM use (P=0.007). Interestingly, parents who were satisfied with conventional therapy were more likely to use CAM. The high prevalence of CAM use demonstrated in this study and particularly the high use of CAM medication therapies underlines the importance of physicians asking routinely about CAM use in this population.

Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with mental disorders in Turkey

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and the associated socio-demographic factors among patients with mental disorders in the Turkish community. MethodsOne thousand and twenty-seven patients with a diagnosis of mental disorders who were attending psychiatric outpatient clinics in five Turkish cities were interviewed. A survey questionnaire, which included questions on socio-demographic characteristics and CAM use, was administered face-to-face by psychiatrists. Results22.2% of patients with mental disorders were using some form of CAM in the Turkish community. CAM and medication concurrent users had a higher level of education and income compared to CAM users only or medicine users only (p < 0.001). The most common type of CAM used was herbal therapy (n = 146, 64%). ConclusionUse of CAM by patients with mental disorders should be investigated and taken into account by psychiatrists.

The use and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine for pain in sickle cell anemia

Pain is the clinical hallmark for sickle cell disease (SCD). The objective of this study was to survey the extent and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use for pain control among adults with SCD. Of a total of 227 African-American adults with SCD, 208 (92%) admitted to using at least one type of CAM. The three most common types of CAM were prayer (61%), relaxation technique (44%), and massage (35%). Multiple logistic regression showed that marital status was associated with use of relaxation techniques (p = 0.044), and age between 18 and 24 years and at least a high school level of education were associated with use of prayer (p = 0.008 and p = 0.004 respectively). Our study showed that CAM use is common among adult patients with SCD. Further well designed prospective studies are needed to help develop best practices that emphasize an optimized balance of conventional and evidence based CAM therapies.

Complementary and alternative approaches in palliative care: why are advanced cancer patients using them?

IntroductionThis paper discusses why advanced cancer patients use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and how they communicate about this with their physicians. While several studies have examined the extent of CAM use by advanced cancer patients, the reasons for CAM use have been addressed much less.ApproachUsing peer-reviewed online journal databases, we conducted a search for current literature dating back to 2000 related to the use of CAM in palliative cancer care. These databases included: Pubmed, Academic Search Complete, SocIndex, Healthsource, CINAHL, Alt Healthwatch, and Academic Search Elite. Keyword combinations that were used are: Complementary medicine OR alternative medicine OR holistic medicine OR unorthodox medicine OR unproven medicine (AND) cancer OR oncology OR advanced cancer OR tumor OR malignant (AND) palliative care OR palliative OR hospice (AND) decision making.ResultsSeven studies were found addressing the use of CAM by advanced cancer patients.The most common reasons for CAM use in advanced cancer patients are symptom relief, looking for a cure and survival/lengthening life. The studies varied widely in terms of how CAM was operationalized, as well as in terms of type of cancer diagnosis, socio-demographic characteristics, sampling strategy, and study design (mostly surveys). Generally patients would like their health care providers to initiate the discussion about CAM use and ask them about CAM use in a non-judgemental manner, listening carefully to their experiences and needs.DiscussionIt is important for physicians to be prepared to discuss CAM use with their patients and to have a basic understanding of the most common types of CAM. Patients often do not seem as concerned about evidence as health care providers. It would be to the patients’ benefit if integration of CAM modalities in palliative care becomes more readily available.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Used by Children in Military Pediatric Clinics

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, types, perceived effects, and factors that influence the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by military children. A parent survey was administered in two military general pediatric clinics from June to September 2009. Parents completed surveys about their children including the following items: demographic information, a list of specific CAM therapies, family CAM use, and child health status. Caregivers completed 278 surveys. The overall use of CAM was 23%. The most common type of CAM used was herbal therapy (34%). The CAM therapies most commonly reported to be very helpful were special diets (67%), melatonin (57%), vitamins and minerals used at doses higher than the recommended daily allowance (50%), and massage therapy (50%). The majority of users reported no side-effects (96%). Among CAM users, 53% had discussed their CAM use with a physician and 47% had seen a CAM practitioner. Factors associated with CAM use in multiple regression analysis included chronic conditions (p = 0.001), parent/sibling use of CAM (p < 0.001), and parent age over 30 years (p = 0.02). Primary sources of CAM information were friends and family (68%) and doctors (44%). Common reasons for using CAM were to promote general health (70%), to relieve symptoms (56%), and to improve quality of life (48%). Eighty percent (80%) of all respondents indicated they would use CAM if recommended by a physician. In this military population with access to universal health care, CAM use is higher than the U.S. national average and nearly double that of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey study. Patients with chronic conditions, family members using CAM, and parental age over 30 years are more likely to use CAM. CAM is perceived as helpful with minimal to no side-effects. Pediatricians should inquire about CAM use and be prepared to provide guidance on this topic.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients With Arthritis

To examine use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) from 4 ethnic groups, differences in CAM use among groups, and correlates of CAM use. Data were obtained from individuals from 4 ethnic groups (African, Asian, and Hispanic Americans, and Caucasians) participating in trials assessing celecoxib efficacy. A questionnaire assessing CAMs specifically used to help arthritis was administered at screening. Use of 42 specific therapies within 7 categories-alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, manipulation and body-based methods, energy therapies, and 3 types of biologically based therapies--was queried. More than 80% of subjects reported that they used some CAM for arthritis in the past month. In contrast, 50% reported the use of prescription medicines, and 52% reported the use of over-the-counter medicines. Dietary practices were the most common type of CAM (71.5%), followed by mind-body interventions (42.4%), topical agents (38.1%), use of supplements or herbs (32.9%), and manipulation and body-based methods (21.4%). African Americans were more likely to report any CAM use than other groups (89.1% versus 83.1% [Asian], 81.1% [Hispanic], 77.7% [Caucasian]). African and Asian Americans more commonly reported the use of mind-body interventions in general, and prayer in particular. African Americans were also most likely to report the use of topical agents. Asian Americans were most likely to report use of alternative medical systems, manipulation methods, and supplements. Caucasians were least likely to report use of dietary practices. Individuals with OA commonly use CAM. Use of these therapies varies by racial/ethnic group. Some CAMs may be effective for symptom relief, while others may interact with prescription medications, suggesting that routine queries by physicians concerning CAM use would be beneficial.

The prevalence, patterns of usage and people's attitude towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among the Indian community in Chatsworth, South Africa.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine, among the Indian community of Chatsworth, South Africa, the prevalence and utilisation patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), attitudes associated with CAM use and communication patterns of CAM users with their primary care doctors.MethodsFace-to-face structured interviews were conducted in Chatsworth, a suburb of Durban in which South Africans of Indian origin predominantly reside. Participants were 200 randomly selected adult English-speaking Indian residents.ResultsThe prevalence of CAM usage for period 2000/2001 was 38.5% (95% confidence interval 31.7% to 45.6%). Spiritual healing and herbal/natural medicines, including vitamins were the most common types of CAM used, accounting for 42.8% and 48.1% respectively of overall CAM usage. People used CAM to treat conditions including diabetes mellitus, headaches, arthritis and joint pains, stress, skin disorders, backaches, hypertension and nasal disorders. Half of the CAM users used allopathic medicines concurrently. The cost of CAM utilization over this 1-year period, incurred by 80.5% of users for the duration of therapy for their most troublesome condition was below R500 (approximately US$50). Age, sex, marital status, religion, level of education and income were shown not to influence the use of CAM. Greater than half (51.9%) of CAM users did so either upon the advice of someone they knew, or after noticing a CAM advertisement in the local press. Seventy-nine percent of CAM users indicated that they had positive outcomes with their treatments. Fifty four percent of CAM users (excluding those using spiritual healing only) failed to inform their doctors that they used CAM. The main reason given by half of this group was that informing their doctors did not seem necessary.ConclusionThe prevalence of CAM in Chatsworth is similar to findings in other parts of the world. Although CAM was used to treat many different ailments, this practice could not be attributed to any particular demographic profile. The majority of CAM users were satisfied with the effects of CAM. Findings support a need for greater integration of allopathic medicine and CAM, as well as improved communication between patients and caregivers regarding CAM usage.