Complementary And Alternative Medicine Practitioners Research Articles

Collaborations between Allopathic and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Health Professionals: Four Initiatives

An effort to increase the understanding of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by health care professionals requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach. Between 2000 and 2002, National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine funded 15 educational institutions to develop curricular models for educating allopathic medical and nursing learners in CAM literacy. Four of these 15 programs, Tufts University School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Medicine, and University of Washington School of Nursing, formed collaborative partnerships with nearby academic institutions that train CAM practitioners. This article focuses on these four examples of institutional collaboration, summarizing the challenges faced and the positive outcomes achieved for learners, faculty, and institutions. As collaborations between such institutions increase, future potential directions for consideration include credentialing of CAM practitioners teaching within allopathic health professional institutions, faculty development within existing allopathic health professional schools on incorporating evidence-based CAM content into their standard allopathic education, and viewing CAM as an aspect of cultural sensitivity.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Older Australians

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by Australians is substantial and increasing, but little is known about its use by the elderly. We here present the findings for the elderly cohort in our recently conducted national survey on CAM use by adult Australians. In May and June 2005, computer-assisted telephone interviews, using random-digit telephone dialing, were employed to gather data on CAM use in the last 12 months. Of 1067 adult participants interviewed, 178 were 65 or older. More than half of these (57.8%; 95% CI, 50.7%-64.9%) had used at least one of 17 common forms of CAM and 60.4% of the CAM users had consulted CAM practitioners. Clinical nutrition, chiropractic, massage therapy, meditation, and herbal medicine were the most common forms of CAM used by the elderly. A higher proportion of the elderly had always used both CAM and conventional medical treatments (37.9%) than had those aged 18-34 (15.7%) and 35-64 (26.9%). Elderly CAM users (60.2%) were more likely than younger users to discuss their use with their doctors. Of those who did not do so, 24.1% were not asked by their doctors and 16.0% considered that their doctor would disapprove. In conclusion, we found that a substantial proportion of older Australians use CAM. The elderly are also more likely than younger adults to discuss their use of CAM with their doctors, but doctors need to play a more active role in initiating such communication.

Rationales for CAM Education in Health Professions Training Programs

The authors review the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the United States. They then present and discuss the rationales used by the 15 National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine CAM educational grantees in their original proposals for incorporating CAM content into conventional health professions training programs. Fourteen of the grantees were from major U.S. medical and nursing schools, and one was from a medical student foundation. Awards were for five-year periods (with the exception of one three-year grant) from 2000 to 2008. Rationales for developing educational programs about CAM for conventional health professionals included (1) the prevalence and growth of CAM in the United States, (2) response to governmental, legislative, and other mandates, (3) need for enhanced communication between conventional providers and patients using CAM, (4) need to enhance safety of CAM use and interactions with conventional care, (5) CAM education's positive impact on broadening core competencies for conventional health care professionals, (6) positive impact on enhancing cultural competency, (7) need for better communication between conventional and CAM providers, (8) potential for improving health care coordination, (9) potential impact on increasing CAM research quality and capacity, and (10) potential for enhancing quality of care through informed CAM use. Integration of CAM with conventional health care requires educational venues that prepare conventionally trained caregivers with a sufficient knowledge base for assessing beneficial and detrimental interactions between CAM and conventional care approaches; development of criteria for making informed referrals to CAM practitioners; and enhanced research capacity.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Australia: A National Population-Based Survey

To investigate the use of and expenditure on 17 of the most popular forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by adult Australians, sociodemographic characteristics of CAM users, and communication between CAM users and their doctors. In May-June 2005, a sample of 1067 adults, 18 years and older, from all Australian states and territories, was recruited by random-digit telephone dialing and interviewed about their CAM use in the previous 12 months. In the 12-month period, 68.9% (95% CI: 66.1%-71.7%) of those interviewed used at least one of the 17 forms of CAM and 44.1% (95% confidence interval: 41.1%-47.1%) visited a CAM practitioner. The estimated number of visits to CAM practitioners by adult Australians in the 12-month period (69.2 million) was almost identical to the estimated number of visits to medical practitioners (69.3 million). The annual "out of pocket" expenditure on CAM, nationally, was estimated as 4.13 billion Australian dollars (US $3.12 billion). Less than half of the users always informed their medical practitioners about their use of CAM. The most common characteristics of CAM users were: age, 18-34; female; employed; well-educated; private health insurance coverage; and higher-than-average incomes. CAM use nationally in Australia appears to be considerably higher than estimated from previous Australian studies. This may reflect an increasing popularity of CAM; however, regional variations in CAM use and the broader range of CAM included in the current study may contribute to the difference. Most frequently, doctors would not appear to be aware of their patient use of CAM.

Women's health during mid-life survey

To survey the extent of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among women for the alleviation of menopausal symptoms. A total of 1,296 eligible women aged 45 to 65 years were recruited from three Sydney menopause clinics, general practice clinics, and government agencies between July 2003 and July 2004. Volunteers were invited to complete a 19-item questionnaire covering basic demographics, general health status, use of CAM therapies and products, use of pharmaceuticals, and sources of CAM advice. Of respondents, 53.8% had visited a CAM practitioner and/or used a CAM product during the past year, with 34% using a product only and 5% consulting a practitioner only. The most commonly visited practitioners were naturopaths (7.2%) and acupuncturists (4.8%), whereas the most popular products were soy (25.4%) and evening primrose oil (18.4%). Massage, chiropractic, and nutrition were rated the most effective therapies, and phytoestrogen tablets, evening primrose oil, and black cohosh were deemed the most effective products. Of the 59.9% of respondents currently using prescription or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, 62.5% reported using CAM products during the past 12 months. Of CAM users 71% had informed their doctor about CAM use, whereas 26.4% of respondents reported their doctor had inquired about CAM use. CAM use by women to alleviate menopausal symptoms is common, with several therapies perceived to be effective. Although a significant proportion of women may use CAM in conjunction with pharmaceuticals, relevant communication between medical practitioners and patients remains inadequate and may expose the patient to potential drug-herb interactions.

The relationship between social factors and attitudes toward conventional and CAM practitioners

The research results on the relationship between social factors and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and conventional practitioners are equivocal. Some researchers theorize a relationship between social factors and attitudes toward providers, with CAM being more attractive to socially and economically marginalized groups. To evaluate the relationships between selected sociodemographic factors and attitudes toward CAMs in the general US population. A subset of data from a 1997-1998 nationally representative survey was examined using descriptive and univariate analyses. Five outcomes exploring preference for CAM or conventional medical practitioners are considered. Age was positively related to favoring one's conventional medical doctor. Subjects who reported using CAM for wellness/prevention reported significantly less confidence in their conventional doctors than individuals who did not report using CAM for wellness/prevention. Those with low income were also significantly less confident in their medical doctors and less satisfied with their conventional medical practitioners than those with higher incomes. While more prospective work is needed, this analysis suggests that social factors may be related to practitioner preference. Finding out why these relationships exist is important for the effectiveness of health care.

Educating CAM Practitioners About Integrative Medicine: An Approach to Overcoming the Communication Gap with Conventional Health Care Practitioners

To assess an educational initiative that teaches complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) students how to communicate more effectively with conventional physicians about CAM. We introduced an educational initiative in integrative medicine to CAM students in their final year of study, emphasizing evidence-based learning, patient-centered care, and communication skills with conventional health care providers. A precourse semistructured questionnaire and an anonymous open essay about the students' experiences at the end of the course were used as tools for assessment. The precourse questionnaires and the postcourse essays were evaluated, using content analysis for parallel responses to determine whether students' views changed during the course. We evaluated the experience in 62 students exposed to the initiative during 4 academic years, 2001-2005. We found that CAM students perceive that they need practical communication tools in order to communicate effectively with conventional practitioners. After the educational experience, the students confirmed that critical thinking training is important, and reported feeling more empowered and more confident in their work as well as in communicating with physicians. The results of this study suggest that CAM practitioners feel better equipped to communicate with conventional health care practitioners after exposure to a structured educational initiative that emphasizes critical thinking, patient-centered care, and communication skills with conventional practitioners.

Trusted Information Sources: The Preferred Option for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Users

The objective of this article is to explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) users' reliance on health service providers, different forms of media, and interpersonal contacts for their health-needs information. To explore this information, a survey was posted to a random sample of 1,308 people in five rural and two metropolitan localities in Victoria, Australia. The response rate was 40% ( n = 459). The overall current CAM use was 52% and lifetime use was 85%. We found that the CAM users obtained most of their health needs information from doctors and CAM practitioners, whereas the Internet and health food shops served as the least useful sources of information. The respondents who used the modalities we labeled as natural remedy modalities accessed the most health information. The study results show that although conventional medicine may question some types of health care information that forms the basis of respondents' decision making, their health care decisions are nevertheless informed decisions.

Trends in complementary/alternative medicine use by breast cancer survivors: Comparing survey data from 1998 and 2005

BackgroundUse of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by women with breast cancer is often said to be increasing, yet few data exist to confirm this commonly held belief.The purpose of this paper is to compare overall patterns of CAM use, as well as use of specific products and therapies at two different points in time (1998 vs 2005) by women diagnosed with breast cancer.MethodsSurveys were mailed to women randomly selected from the Ontario Cancer Registry (Canada) in the spring of 1998 (n = 557) and again in the spring of 2005(n = 877).ResultsThe response rates were 76.3% in 1998 and 63% in 2005. In 1998, 66.7% of women reported using either a CAM product/therapy or seeing a CAM therapist at some time in their lives as compared with 81.9% in 2005 (p = 0.0002). Increases were seen in both use of CAM products/therapies (62% in 1998 vs. 70.6% in 2005) and visits to CAM practitioners (39.4% of respondents in 1998 vs 57.4% of respondents in 2005). Women in 2005 reported that 41% used CAM for treating their breast cancer. The most commonly used products and practitioners for treating breast cancer as reported in 2005 were green tea, vitamin E, flaxseed, vitamin C, massage therapists and dietitians/nutritionists.ConclusionCAM use (both self-medication with products and visits to CAM practitioners) increased significantly from 1998 to 2005. Now that more than 80% of all women with breast cancer report using CAM (41% in a specific attempt to management their breast cancer), CAM use can no longer be regarded as an "alternative" or unusual approach to managing breast cancer.

Use of Complementary And Alternative Medicine for Weight Control in The United States

The purpose was to assess the prevalence and correlates of complementary and alternative medicine use for weight control. A list-assisted random-digit-dialed telephone survey of adults was conducted in the fall of 2002 (n = 11,211). The focus of the study was complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, other than dietary supplements, in the previous 12 months. The sample of respondents was drawn from the total noninstitutionalized U.S. adult population residing in telephone-equipped locations. The sampling procedures were designed to obtain adequate representation of Hispanic and non-Hispanic black respondents. Data from the total sample of 11,211 were weighted to achieve an estimate of the U.S. population. Analyses focused on 372 people who had used CAM within the previous 12 months. Of the total, 3.3% (n = 372) had used a CAM therapy in the previous 12 months. Higher adjusted odds ratios for CAM use were found among respondents who were exercising for weight control; using a lower carbohydrate, higher protein diet; using a nonprescription weight-loss product(s); overweight; physically active; and not satisfied with one's body (adjusted for age, race, gender, education, and city size). The most often used therapies were yoga (57.4%), meditation (8.2%), acupuncture (7.7%), massage (7.5%), and Eastern martial arts (5.9%). CAM users used CAM therapies on their own (62.6%), in a group setting (26.8%) or with a CAM practitioner (10.6%). The use of CAM therapies other than dietary supplements for weight loss was relatively low. The most popular therapy was yoga, and the majority of CAM users used CAM therapies on their own. Persons who had used other weight loss methods had greater odds for using CAM in the previous 12 months, suggesting that CAM use is often added to other weight-loss strategies.

Self-Application of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients with Gynecologic Cancer

Objectives: In this study we aimed to determine the epidemiology and demographic data on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use along with the medical/surgical treatment modalities in patients with gynecologic cancers in Turkey. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to determine demographic data on CAM use of patients with gynecologic cancers who had medical and/or surgical treatments. Semistructured questionnaires were used for collecting data from 126 patients. Results: When the CAM use ratio of patients was evaluated with respect to demographic characteristics, patients using any type of CAM were younger and more educated, and there were no significant differences between the patients who used and who did not use any type of CAM with respect to geographical region. There were no significant correlations between the use of CAM and the type of malignancy, treatment modality and time period after diagnosis. Conclusion: There is critical concern about the probable serious risks associated with non-educated CAM practitioners. Therefore, informed and educated healthcare professionals should inform and help in relieving patients in a more professional and multidisciplinary way.

Researching complementary and alternative treatments – the gatekeepers are not at home

BackgroundTo explore the strengths and weaknesses of conventional biomedical research strategies and methods as applied to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and to suggest a new research framework for assessing these treatment modalities.DiscussionThere appears to be a gap between published studies showing little or no efficacy of CAM, and reports of substantial clinical benefit from patients and CAM practitioners. This "gap" might be partially due to the current focus on placebo-controlled randomized trials, which are appropriately designed to answer questions about the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical agents. In an attempt to fit this assessment strategy, complex CAM treatment approaches have been dissected into standardized and often simplified treatment methods, and outcomes have been limited.Unlike conventional medicine, CAM has no regulatory or financial gatekeeper controlling their therapeutic "agents" before they are marketed. Treatments may thus be in widespread use before researchers know of their existence. In addition, the treatments are often provided as an integrated 'whole system' of care, without careful consideration of the safety issue.We propose a five-phase strategy for assessing CAM built on the acknowledgement of the inherent, unique aspects of CAM treatments and their regulatory status in most Western countries. These phases comprise:1. Context, paradigms, philosophical understanding and utilization2. Safety status3. Comparative effectiveness.4. Component efficacy5. Biological mechanisms.SummaryUsing the proposed strategy will generate evidence relevant to clinical practice, while acknowledging the absence of regulatory and financial gatekeepers for CAM. It will also emphasize the important but subtle differences between CAM and conventional medical practice.

The profiles of adults who consult alternative health practitioners and/or general practitioners

Objective. To compare the profiles of people visiting only a general practitioner (GP), those visiting only a practitioner of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and those visiting both (GP&CAM). Design. A comparative total population health survey in central Norway (HUNT 2). Subjects. A total of 54 448 persons 20 years of age and over who answered questions about their use of health services during the previous 12 months. Variables. Sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived health, subjective health complaints, and a variety of common diseases. Results. Some 34 854 (64.0%) of those who answered the health service use question had visited only a GP, 837 (1.5%) only a CAM practitioner, and 4563 (8.4%) both during the last 12 months. The likelihood of being a CAM-only user as compared to a GP-only user was significantly increased (p < 0.005) if the participant was male; aged between 30 and 69; and without cardiovascular disease. The likelihood of being a GP&CAM user compared with a GP-only user was significantly increased (p < 0.005) for those who were female; aged between 30–59; had a higher education level; were non-smokers; had lower perceived global health; had a limiting chronic complaint; had experienced a health complaint during the last 12 months; had musculoskeletal disease; had a psychiatric complaint; and had hay fever. Conclusion. There were few CAM-only users and they differ from GP-only users by being male, aged 30–69, and without cardiovascular disease. Users of both GP&CAM were less healthy with more complaints and poorer self-reported health than GP- and CAM-only users.

Herbal Medicine for Low Back Pain

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. To determine the effectiveness of herbal medicine compared with placebo, no intervention, or "standard/accepted/conventional treatments" for nonspecific low back pain. Low back pain is a common condition and a substantial economic burden in industrialized societies. A large proportion of patients with chronic low back pain use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and/or visit CAM practitioners. Several herbal medicines have been purported for use in low back pain. The following databases were searched: Medline (1966 to April 2003), Embase (1980 to April 2003), Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 1, 2003), and Cochrane Complementary Medicine (CM) field Trials Register. Additionally, reference lists in review articles, guidelines, and in the retrieved trials were checked. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), using adults (>18 years of age) suffering from acute, subacute, or chronic nonspecific low back pain. Types of interventions included herbal medicines defined as a plant that is used for medicinal purposes in any form. Primary outcome measures were pain and function. Two reviewers (J.J.G. and M.W.T.) conducted electronic searches in all databases. One reviewer (J.J.G.) contacted content experts and acquired relevant citations. Authors, title, subject headings, publication type, and abstract of the isolated studies were downloaded or a hard copy was retrieved. Methodologic quality and clinical relevance were assessed separately by two individuals (J.J.G. and M.W.T.). Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Ten trials were included in this review. Two high-quality trials utilizing Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw) found strong evidence for short-term improvements in pain and rescue medication for daily doses standardized to 50 mg or 100 mg harpagoside with another high-quality trial demonstrating relative equivalence to 12.5 mg per day of rofecoxib. Two moderate-quality trials utilizing Salix alba (White willow bark) found moderate evidence for short-term improvements in pain and rescue medication for daily doses standardized to 120 mg or 240 mg salicin with an additional trial demonstrating relative equivalence to 12.5 mg per day of rofecoxib. Three low-quality trials using Capsicum frutescens (Cayenne) using various topical preparations found moderate evidence for favorable results against placebo and one trial found equivalence to a homeopathic ointment. Harpagophytum procumbens, Salix alba, and Capsicum frutescens seem to reduce pain more than placebo. Additional trials testing these herbal medicines against standard treatments will clarify their equivalence in terms of efficacy. The quality of reporting in these trials was generally poor; thus, trialists should refer to the CONSORT statement in reporting clinical trials of herbal medicines.

Toward General Experimentation and Discovery in Conditioned Laboratory and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Spaces: Part V. Data on 10 Different Sites Using A Robust New Type of Subtle Energy Detector

The earlier experimental papers in this series dealt with replication of our DeltapH = +1 IIED (intention imprinted electrical device) experiment carried out in Minnesota. This work was replicated at 3-IIED sites and 7 control sites in the United States and Europe that demonstrated room temperature information entanglement between the macroscopic sized ( approximately 10(3) to 10(4) cubic feet volume) IIED sites and non-IIED-sites (control sites) over distances separated by up to 5000 to 6000 miles. During these studies, we discovered how to gain a quantitative measure of the elevation of the thermodynamic free energy per unit volume, deltaG*(H)+, above our normal U(1) electromagnetic gauge symmetry state, for the aqueous H(+) ion in these " conditioned" spaces. In simpler language, what this means is that one can now continuously monitor a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) office space, research space, or clinic space to gain a continuous record of (1) How much the space has been elevated or depleted in thermodynamic free energy, relative to our normal physical reality, by the processes occurring there; (2) how much the biofields of the practitioners and patients are perturbing the collective subtle energy field of these spaces; and (3) the monitoring of specific IIEDs imprinted for aiding the healing process of patients with specific pathologies under study or treatment. It allows CAM practitioners to investigate and utilize "information medicined", to evaluate the subtle energy component of various psychotronic devices, and to evaluate the efficacy of various subtle energy potentization processes for various supplements, remedies, and other materials. This paper contributes several key things to this growing body of work: (1) it develops a quantitative theoretical picture for the determination of deltaG*(H)+ from pH measurements in partially "conditioned"spaces; (2) it provides experimental, deltaG*(H)+ data for all 10 sites of the overall experimental system, (3) it provides deltaG*(H)+ data for measurements carried out in small CAM facilities and at a 1-week-long healing workshop facility; and (4) it illustrates a potential biofeedback tool to assist both individual humans and coherently coupled groups of humans to significantly enhance their evolutionary progress to Adept, Master, and perhaps even Avatar levels of performance in the world.

Evaluating complementary and alternative medicine interventions: in search of appropriate patient-centered outcome measures.

BackgroundCentral to the development of a sound evidence base for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) interventions is the need for valid, reliable and relevant outcome measures to assess whether the interventions work. We assessed the specific needs for a database that would cover a wide range of outcomes measures for CAM research and considered a framework for such a database.MethodsThe study was a survey of CAM researchers, practitioners and students. An online questionnaire was emailed to the members of the Canadian Interdisciplinary Network for CAM Research (IN-CAM) and the CAM Education and Research Network of Alberta (CAMera). The majority of survey questions were open-ended and asked about outcome measures currently used, outcome measures' assessment criteria, sources of information, perceived barriers to finding outcome measures and outcome domains of importance. Descriptive quantitative analysis and qualitative content analysis were used.ResultsOne hundred and sixty-four completed surveys were received. Of these, 62 respondents reported using outcome measures in their CAM research and identified 92 different specific outcomes. The most important barriers were the fact that, for many health concepts, outcome measures do not yet exist, as well as issues related to accessibility of instruments. Important outcome domains identified included physical, psychological, social, spiritual, quality of life and holistic measures. Participants also mentioned the importance of individualized measures that assess unique patient-centered outcomes for each research participant, and measures to assess the context of healing and the process of healing.ConclusionWe have developed a preliminary framework that includes all components of health-related outcomes. The framework provides a foundation for a larger, comprehensive collection of CAM outcomes. It fits very well in a whole systems perspective, which requires an expanded set of outcome measures, such as individualized and holistic measures, with attention to issues of process and context.

Integrating complementary therapies into mainstream cancer care: which way forward?

Although viewed with scepticism by the medical and scientific community, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is being used by about 50% of Australians. Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to cancer care, with some CAM of proven effectiveness being used as adjuvants to conventional medical treatments. However, there is little evidence of a systematic process of evaluation or dialogue between mainstream cancer medicine and CAM providers in Australia. Collaboration, guidance and support for relevant research in this area are needed. The key elements of a process of furthering integrative medicine include improving knowledge about CAM; addressing uncertainties about CAM efficacy and safety; improving communication about CAM between medical practitioners and patients, and between medical practitioners and CAM practitioners; introducing regulatory frameworks and credentialing of CAM practitioners; and addressing ethical issues.

Alternative and complementary therapies.

The field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is broad and diverse, comprising numerous therapeutic modalities. CAM therapies are viewed as either an adjunct or a complement to conventional treatment. As of 1997, 64% of United States medical schools included elective or required CAM courses. The number of CAM practitioners in the United States is projected to increase by 88% between 1994 and 2010, and the number of conventional physicians who incorporate CAM into their practices will increase by 16%. Patients and their parents can make various health care choices; doctors need to understand and respect these options, and to support them, if safe and effective.

Training in and Use of Diagnostic Techniques Among CAM Practitioners: An Australian Study

This study aimed to determine the extent to which complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners in Australia are trained in and use CAM and Western medical diagnostic techniques, and the influence this may have on their role as primary contact practitioners. A 45-item questionnaire was mailed to members of the Australian Natural Therapists' Association and the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. We received 617 responses (22%). Respondents reported high frequency of training in and use of Western case history taking, observation, taking blood pressure and pulses, palpation, postural assessment, orthopaedic testing, in addition to naturopathic case history taking, iris diagnosis, and face, tongue, and nail diagnosis. We found a significant relationship between the confidence practitioners had in identifying clients requiring referral and their training in these areas. Despite the reported high frequency of training in and use of Western medical and CAM diagnostic techniques, 32% of respondents reported a lack of confidence in identifying patients requiring referral. This could compromise the safety of clients and the effectiveness of practice.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by food-allergic patients

Interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing. Use of CAM in food-allergic patients has not previously been evaluated. To determine the prevalence of CAM use, the types of CAM modalities used, and opinions about CAM in food-allergic patients. A questionnaire was distributed to attendees at a patient conference in 2002 and to patients at pediatric food allergy clinics in 2005. Surveys were completed by 380 families. Respondents were mainly white, parents of children with multiple food allergies, and from the tri-state (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) area. Diagnostic modalities considered unproven or disproven (such as serum IgG4, electrodermal skin testing, and kinesiology) were used by 22% of respondents; CAM therapies were used by 18%. Participants used several types of CAM practitioners, the most common being chiropractors, homeopaths, and acupuncturists. Only 49% of patients using CAM disclosed this to their physicians. Efficacy ratings for CAM were poor. Regarding participants' opinions, an herbal therapy of equal efficacy, safety, and cost was preferred to a pharmaceutical drug (37% vs 12%; P = .001), but most participants (51%) had no preference or were unsure. Unproven or disproven diagnostic methods and CAM treatments were used by approximately 1 in 5 respondents. Those using CAM noted poor efficacy, but if given a choice, many would prefer herbal therapies to pharmaceutical drugs. Education regarding reliable testing for food allergy and further research on CAM therapies are warranted.