Complementary And Alternative Medicine Therapies Research Articles

Knowledge, beliefs, and influences associated with complementary and alternative medicine among physiotherapy and counselling students.

The objective of this study is to determine whether physiotherapy and counselling students, who represent a future generation of two health professions, have differing views about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In order to determine physiotherapy and counselling students' self-rated knowledge and beliefs about CAM and the factors which influence that understanding, a modified 10-item CAM Health Belief Questionnaire was administered across all year groups to physiotherapy students and counselling students at two universities in Perth, Western Australia. The self-rated paper-based survey measured knowledge of CAM among physiotherapy and counselling students, evaluation of their beliefs regarding the use of CAM, factors that influence their knowledge and beliefs, and their likelihood of recommending CAM to future patients. A response rate of 96.8% was achieved, with 387 physiotherapy students and 88 counselling students. Moderately positive beliefs about CAM were confirmed in both groups, with mean scores of 42.8/70 for physiotherapy students and 43.3/70 for counselling students. There were no significant differences between the student groups in overall self-rated knowledge of CAM. The main factors that influenced the students' responses were personal experience for counselling students and scientific evidence for physiotherapy students. Other factors included university training, attitudes of lecturers, tutors and fellow students, cultural background, and opinions of external practitioners. Counselling students were more likely than physiotherapy students to recommend CAM therapies to their future patients. The results from this study demonstrate minimal self-rated knowledge but moderately positive attitudes towards CAM by both physiotherapy and counselling students.

Does Integrative Medicine Reduce Prescribed Opioid Use for Chronic Pain? A Systematic Literature Review.

Chronic pain (CP) is a major public health problem. Many patients with CP are increasingly prescribed opioids, which has led to an opioid crisis. Integrative medicine (IM), which combines pharmacological and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), has been proposed as an opioid alternative for CP treatment. Nevertheless, the role of CAM therapies in reducing opioid use remains unclear. To explore the effectiveness of the IM approach or any of the CAM therapies to reduce or cease opioid use in CP patients. An online search of MEDLINE and Embase, CINAHL, PubMed supp., and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) for studies published in English from inception until February 15, 2018, was conducted. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to critically appraise selected studies. The electronic search yielded 5,200 citations. Twenty-three studies were selected. Eight studies were randomized controlled trials, seven were retrospective studies, four studies were prospective observational, three were cross-sectional, and one was quasi-experimental. The majority of the studies showed that opioid use was reduced significantly after using IM. Cannabinoids were among the most commonly investigated approaches in reducing opioid use, followed by multidisciplinary approaches, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and acupuncture. The majority of the studies had limitations related to sample size, duration, and study design. There is a small but defined body of literature demonstrating positive preliminary evidence that the IM approach including CAM therapies can help in reducing opioid use. As the opioid crisis continues to grow, it is vital that clinicians and patients be adequately informed regarding the evidence and opportunities for IM/CAM therapies for CP.

An overview of systematic reviews of complementary and alternative therapies for infantile colic

BackgroundInfantile colic is a distressing condition characterised by excessive crying in the first few months of life. The aim of this research was to update the synthesis of evidence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research literature on infantile colic and establish what evidence is currently available.MethodsMedline, Embase and AMED (via Ovid), Web of Science and Central via Cochrane library were searched from their inception to September 2018. Google Scholar and OpenGrey were searched for grey literature and PROSPERO for ongoing reviews. Published systematic reviews that included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of infants aged up to 1 year, diagnosed with infantile colic using standard diagnostic criteria, were eligible. Reviews of RCTs that assessed the effectiveness of any individual CAM therapy were included. Three reviewers were involved in data extraction and quality assessment using the AMSTAR-2 scale and risk of bias using the ROBIS tool.ResultsSixteen systematic reviews were identified. Probiotics, fennel extract and spinal manipulation show promise to alleviate symptoms of colic, although some concerns remain. Acupuncture and soy are currently not recommended. The majority of the reviews were assessed as having high or unclear risk of bias and low confidence in the findings.ConclusionThere is clearly a need for larger and more methodologically sound RCTs to be conducted on the effectiveness of some CAM therapies for IC. Particular focus on probiotics in non-breastfed infants is pertinent.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO: CRD42018092966.

Prevalence and Predictors for Nonuse of Complementary Medicine among Breast and Gynecological Cancer Patients

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is common among cancer patients. Data indicated that CAM use correlates with younger age, higher education levels, higher income, and less physician consultations. However, non-CAM use and predictors for non-CAM use are less clear among breast and gynecological cancer patients. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of non-CAM use and to investigate factors that might influence non-CAM use. Methods: The survey was conducted in breast cancer patients from January to May 2013 and in gynecological cancer patients from January to May 2014 with 2 pseudoanonymous questionnaires: one for CAM users (109 questions) and one for non-CAM users (85 questions). The survey was conducted via a telephone interview with 333 patients. Eligible participants were women with breast cancer (n = 285) and gynecological cancer (n = 291) who had undergone surgery at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Technical University Munich, Germany, in the years 2012 (breast cancer) and 2011–2013 (gynecological cancer). Descriptive statistics were generated to determine patterns of non-CAM use. Univariable analysis was used to detect patient characteristics associated with noninterest in the different CAM therapies. Results: A total of 333 of 576 patients participated in the survey (58%). Fifty-eight percent (n = 192/333) were diagnosed with breast cancer and 42% (n = 141/333) with gynecological cancer. The overall prevalence of non-CAM use was 42% (n = 139/333). Eighty-one percent (n = 112/139) of the non-CAM users stated to have received no recommendation for CAM use, although 53% (n = 73/139) would have liked to receive information from their physician. As reasons for the nonuse of CAM therapies, 76% (n = 106/139) nonusers declared that they did not believe CAM use was necessary since the conventional therapy was considered sufficient, 44% (n = 61/139) reported a lack of information, 31% (n = 43/139) a fear of fraud, and 22% (n = 31/139) a fear of interactions and side effects of CAM. Sixty-eight percent (n = 95/139) of the patients stated that they would resort to CAM if the disease progressed while only 27% (n = 37/139) would still not use any CAM with progression of disease. Five percent (7/139) did not give any information regarding possible future CAM use with disease progression. Seventy-three percent (n = 102/139) would both welcome more physicians with qualifications in complementary medicine and supported an integration of CAM into our health care system. Furthermore, statistically significant correlations between patients’ sociodemographic characteristics and their nonuse of complementary therapies were identified. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate a high overall interest in CAM even in non-CAM users. Health care professionals should be aware of this in order to be able to better address patients’ needs. It is necessary to explore the use of CAM with cancer patients, educate them about potentially beneficial therapies even in the light of the limited available evidence, and work towards an integrated model of health care. Therefore, we implemented a counseling service as an outpatient program (ZIGG) for integrative medicine concepts and evidence-based complementary treatments to discuss integrative health approaches proactively with cancer patients in our cancer center in 2013.

Complementary and alternative medicine in epilepsy: What patients and physicians perceive

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the extent to which people with epilepsy (PWE) use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat their illness and to assess their perceptions. We also investigated the perceptions of their physicians. In this cross-sectional study, all patients with epilepsy, who had the illness for at least one year, were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from January 2019 until March 2019. A questionnaire was designed for this survey. We also designed a similar questionnaire to investigate perceptions of the physicians in the same region with approval by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Review Board. One hundred and one patients participated. 71 patients (70%) believed that CAM would be helpful in treating seizures; the most commonly reported CAM therapies were prayers, exercise, and herbs. Sixteen patients (16%) had actually used CAM to treat their seizures, but only one patient perceived that CAM was more effective than AEDs to bring her seizures under control. 31 neurologists participated in the study. Seventeen neurologists (55%) believed that CAM would be helpful in treating epileptic seizures. The most commonly reported CAM therapies were meditation, yoga, and exercise. CAM is considered and used by many PWE to treat seizures, despite the lack of enough scientific evidence. Cultural issues probably play an important role in having faith in CAM. Physicians involved in the care of PWE should provide appropriate information regarding the safety and efficacy of various CAM treatments.

Health Behavior Change and Complementary Medicine Use: National Health Interview Survey 2012.

Backgroundandobjectives: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been associated with preventive health behaviors. However, the role of CAM use in patients’ health behaviors remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the extent to which patients report that CAM use motivates them to make changes to their health behaviors. Materials and Methods: This secondary analysis of 2012 National Health Interview Survey data involved 10,201 CAM users living in the United States who identified up to three CAM therapies most important to their health. Analyses assessed the extent to which participants reported that their CAM use motivated positive health behavior changes, specifically: eating healthier, eating more organic foods, cutting back/stopping drinking alcohol, cutting back/quitting smoking cigarettes, and/or exercising more regularly. Results: Overall, 45.4% of CAM users reported being motivated by CAM to make positive health behavior changes, including exercising more regularly (34.9%), eating healthier (31.4%), eating more organic foods (17.2%), reducing/stopping smoking (16.6% of smokers), or reducing/stopping drinking alcohol (8.7% of drinkers). Individual CAM therapies motivated positive health behavior changes in 22% (massage) to 81% (special diets) of users. People were more likely to report being motivated to change health behaviors if they were: aged 18–64 compared to those aged over 65 years; of female gender; not in a relationship; of Hispanic or Black ethnicity, compared to White; reporting at least college education, compared to people with less than high school education; without health insurance. Conclusions: A sizeable proportion of respondents were motivated by their CAM use to undertake health behavior changes. CAM practices and practitioners could help improve patients’ health behavior and have potentially significant implications for public health and preventive medicine initiatives; this warrants further research attention.

A Hospital-based Study of the Prevalence and Usage of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Saudi Psychiatric Patients.

IntroductionComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, used singularly or in combination with more conventional therapies, are routinely used by citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for medical care or seeking wellness. However, the prevalence of CAM therapies among Saudi psychiatric patients is not yet documented. To better understand the importance of CAM in today’s medical field, particularly within the KSA and for psychiatric patients, this descriptive study aims to characterize the use of CAM therapies by a sample of psychiatric patients in the KSA.MethodsThis cross-sectional hospital-based study describes the use of CAM therapies by Saudi psychiatric patients being treated at one of the largest government hospitals in the KSA. Using a pretested questionnaire, adult psychiatric patients waiting for their appointment or during their stay at a government hospital in Riyadh were interviewed regarding the use of CAM therapies after agreeing to participate.ResultsForty-five adult psychiatric patients agreed to participate in this study. The average age of the participants in the study was 35. Of the participants, 62% were females, 91.1% were outpatients, and 44.4% were diagnosed with depression. Moreover, 82.2% of the participants reported using one or more types of CAM therapies within the past year to address mental illness. Of those who used CAM therapies, 62.2% did so to improve their quality of life; 59.5% did so for treatment, supportive treatment, or both, and 54.1% used CAM therapies to help control symptoms. The most frequent CAM therapies used by psychiatric patients were spiritual therapies such as Quran recitation; body therapies, mainly exercise; and mind therapies, mainly relaxation techniques. These CAM therapies were used mainly as treatments or supportive treatments for depression. Most of the participants who used CAM therapies were satisfied with the use of these therapies (75.7%). Finally, 45.9% of the participants had not discussed the use of CAM therapies with their doctors, primarily because of their reluctance to share private information, especially spiritual matters, with the treating physicians.ConclusionsThe study results suggest a high prevalence of CAM therapy use among Saudi adult psychiatric patients, as well as a high level of satisfaction with such therapies. However, since about half of the patients had not discussed the use of CAM therapies with their physicians, and since some of the CAM therapies may cause unfavorable interactions when used alongside certain medications or medical interventions, healthcare providers should be diligent about inquiring of their psychiatric patients any use of CAM therapies, not only during the initial visit but also during the follow-up visits as well.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Painful Peripheral Neuropathy

The purpose of our manuscript is to review the current evidence supporting the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in neuromuscular disease, specifically in painful peripheral neuropathy (PPN). We outline the therapeutic challenges of this debilitating condition and describe the best evidence for incorporating such therapies into clinical practice. The most studied modalities include lifestyle modifications with diet and exercise, supplements, and acupuncture. CAM therapies such as yoga, meditation, electrical stimulation, neuromodulatory devices, and cannabis are mentioned as emerging therapies. Current data suggests that targeted lifestyle modifications, including aerobic exercise and diet modifications that promote weight loss, may improve the natural course of diabetic painful neuropathy and potentially other types of neuropathy. A number of studied dietary supplements and vitamins including B vitamins, vitamin D, alpha-lipoic acid, and acetyl-L-carnitine improve both subjective and objective neuropathic measures. A wide range of neuromodulatory devices and electrical stimulation modalities demonstrate mixed results, and further studies are needed to confirm their benefit. Finally, acupuncture and yoga both demonstrate benefit in a variety of PPNs. Multiple CAM therapies show efficacy in the treatment of PPN. From the strongest level of evidence to the least, lifestyle modifications including exercise and diet; supplements including B12, alpha lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, and vitamin D in deficient patients; followed by acupuncture and yoga may alleviate symptoms of PPN.

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among Italian children: A cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVETo examine prevalence and modalities of CAM use in children living in Novara, a northern Italian city, and to estimate the prescription rate from paediatricians. METHODWe administered a phone questionnaire to the parents of a sample of 147 children, asking questions about CAM use, children’s health profile, parental socio-economic status, use modalities, effectiveness perceptions, and motivations. A parallel survey was conducted by e-mail by investigating family paediatricians attitudes about CAM. RESULTSAmong 147 children whose families responded to our survey 48.3% was treated with CAM at least once in life and 38,1% during the previous year. Children treated with CAM were on average younger than those who were not. The types of CAM used were herbal medicine and homeopathy. Parents who choose CAM for their children were more skeptical about vaccinations. CAM were most frequently used to treat pathologies of ear, nose and throat. 85.9% of parents was willing to use CAM in future, 78.9% would pass to conventional medicine if CAM failed. Among paediatricians 81.5% prescribed CAM at least once, but only 13.6% received specific CAM training. CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of children using CAM in Novara is high, in line with investigations conducted in Northern European countries. The distribution of pathologies treated with CAM, parental socio-economic status and general scepticism towards vaccination are consistent with the literature. Physicians should keep themselves up-to-date also about evidence-based CAM therapies and, most importantly, should have an open dialogue about CAM with their patients.

Dietary and Supplement-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder

Previous literature has shown that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is steadily increasing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little data is currently available regarding its use, safety, and efficacy in children with ASD. Thus, the purpose of this study is to describe the use of supplement-based CAM therapies in children between the ages of 4 to 17 years with ASD. This population-based, cross-sectional study evaluated children with ASD regarding supplement use. A total of 210 participants were recruited from a variety of sources including educational and physical activity programs, and social media to complete a questionnaire. Primary caregivers provided information on current supplement based CAM use. Data evaluated the proportion of children that used supplement therapies, the types of supplements used, reasons for use, perceived safety, and demographic factors associated with use (e.g., income, parental education, severity of disorder). Seventy-five percent of children with ASD consumed supplements with multivitamins (77.8%), vitamin D (44.9%), omega 3 (42.5%), probiotics (36.5%), and magnesium (28.1%) as the most prevalent. Several supplements, such as adrenal cortex extract, where product safety has not yet been demonstrated, were also reported. A gluten free diet was the most common specialty diet followed amongst those with restrictions (14.8%). Health care professionals were the most frequent information source regarding supplements; however, 33% of parents reported not disclosing all their child’s supplements to their physician. In conclusion, the use of supplement therapies in children with ASD is endemic and highlights the need for further research concerning public health education surrounding safety and efficacy.

Adrenal insufficiency from steroid-containing complementary therapy: importance of detailed history

SummaryA 62-year-old Asian British female presented with increasing tiredness. She had multiple co-morbidities and was prescribed steroid inhalers for asthma. She had also received short courses of oral prednisolone for acute asthma exacerbations in the last 2 years. Unfortunately, the frequency and dose of steroids for asthma was unclear from history. Her type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) control had deteriorated over a short period of time (HbA1c: 48–85 mmol/mol). Blood tests revealed undetectable cortisol and ACTH (<28 mmol/L, <5.0 ng/L). Renin, electrolytes and thyroid function were within normal limits. A diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency, likely due to long-term steroid inhaler and recurrent short courses of oral steroids for asthma exacerbations was made. Patient was commenced on hydrocortisone 10 mg, 5 mg and 5 mg regimen. Steroid inhaler was discontinued following consultation with respiratory physicians. Despite discontinuation of inhaled steroids, patient continued not to mount a response to Synacthen®. Upon further detailed history, patient admitted taking a ‘herbal’ preparation for chronic osteoarthritic knee pain. Toxicology analysis showed presence of dexamethasone, ciprofloxacin, paracetamol, diclofenac, ibuprofen and cimetidine in the herbal medication. Patient was advised to discontinue her herbal preparation. We believe the cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency in our patient was the herbal remedy containing dexamethasone, explaining persistent adrenal suppression despite discontinuation of all prescribed steroids, further possibly contributing to obesity, hypertension and suboptimal control of DM. In conclusion, a comprehensive drug history including herbal and over-the-counter preparations should be elucidated. Investigation for the presence of steroids in these preparations should be considered when patients persist to have secondary adrenal insufficiency despite discontinuation of prescribed steroid medications.Learning points:The likelihood of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) in medication-induced secondary adrenal insufficiency should be considered in any patient presenting with potential symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.If the contents of CAM preparation cannot be ascertained, toxicology screening should be considered.Patients should be advised to stop taking CAM preparation when it contains steroids and hydrocortisone replacement therapy commenced, with periodic reassessment of adrenal function, and then if indicated weaned accordingly.Patients should be informed about the contents of CAM therapies, so they can make a truly informed choice regarding the risks and benefits.This case also highlights a need to increase regulatory processes over CAM therapies, given their propensity to contain a number of undisclosed medications and potent steroids.

Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Youth with Developmental Disabilities.

Oxidative stress is understood to be involved in the ontology and maintenance of different developmental disabilities. Some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have been proposed to modify this relationship by affecting oxidative stress pathways. However, it is unclear which of these CAM therapies are used among children with different developmental disabilities. This study examines the use of these therapies among 10,218 children between the ages of 4 and 17 using the 2012 Child Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to highlight a potential avenue for intervention and prevention efforts. The results suggest that children with developmental disabilities are more likely to utilize particular CAM therapies that may alter oxidative stress pathways. Future work is needed to assess the potential moderating effect of these CAM therapies and oxidative stress levels among children with different developmental disabilities.

Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered to be part of conventional or allopathic medicine. Common CAM practices (e.g., acupuncture, meditation, and therapeutic massage) are gradually becoming incorporated into conventional care in response to patients looking to alternative sources for information and advice about health matters and increased understanding of various CAM methods through evidence-based testing. However, although the claims of some methods are supported with academic research, well-founded concerns remain in many popularized CAM practices regarding the lack of evidence and placebo effects. It is thus imperative for physicians to be comfortable in discussing CAM-related topics with patients and be able to appropriately and informatively guide them in a way that harnesses potential benefits and avoids potential harm. In this review, the major CAM therapies in the United States are examined, including the settings in which they are being used, evidence base status, and efficacy of some of the most commonly used modalities. This review contains 5 figures, 21 tables, and 123 references. Keywords: Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy

Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered to be part of conventional or allopathic medicine. Common CAM practices (e.g., acupuncture, meditation, and therapeutic massage) are gradually becoming incorporated into conventional care in response to patients looking to alternative sources for information and advice about health matters and increased understanding of various CAM methods through evidence-based testing. However, although the claims of some methods are supported with academic research, well-founded concerns remain in many popularized CAM practices regarding the lack of evidence and placebo effects. It is thus imperative for physicians to be comfortable in discussing CAM-related topics with patients and be able to appropriately and informatively guide them in a way that harnesses potential benefits and avoids potential harm. In this review, the major CAM therapies in the United States are examined, including the settings in which they are being used, evidence base status, and efficacy of some of the most commonly used modalities. This review contains 5 figures, 21 tables, and 123 references. Keywords: Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy

Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered to be part of conventional or allopathic medicine. Common CAM practices (e.g., acupuncture, meditation, and therapeutic massage) are gradually becoming incorporated into conventional care in response to patients looking to alternative sources for information and advice about health matters and increased understanding of various CAM methods through evidence-based testing. However, although the claims of some methods are supported with academic research, well-founded concerns remain in many popularized CAM practices regarding the lack of evidence and placebo effects. It is thus imperative for physicians to be comfortable in discussing CAM-related topics with patients and be able to appropriately and informatively guide them in a way that harnesses potential benefits and avoids potential harm. In this review, the major CAM therapies in the United States are examined, including the settings in which they are being used, evidence base status, and efficacy of some of the most commonly used modalities. This review contains 5 figures, 21 tables, and 123 references. Keywords: Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy

Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered to be part of conventional or allopathic medicine. Common CAM practices (e.g., acupuncture, meditation, and therapeutic massage) are gradually becoming incorporated into conventional care in response to patients looking to alternative sources for information and advice about health matters and increased understanding of various CAM methods through evidence-based testing. However, although the claims of some methods are supported with academic research, well-founded concerns remain in many popularized CAM practices regarding the lack of evidence and placebo effects. It is thus imperative for physicians to be comfortable in discussing CAM-related topics with patients and be able to appropriately and informatively guide them in a way that harnesses potential benefits and avoids potential harm. In this review, the major CAM therapies in the United States are examined, including the settings in which they are being used, evidence base status, and efficacy of some of the most commonly used modalities. This review contains 5 figures, 21 tables, and 123 references. Keywords: Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy

Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered to be part of conventional or allopathic medicine. Common CAM practices (e.g., acupuncture, meditation, and therapeutic massage) are gradually becoming incorporated into conventional care in response to patients looking to alternative sources for information and advice about health matters and increased understanding of various CAM methods through evidence-based testing. However, although the claims of some methods are supported with academic research, well-founded concerns remain in many popularized CAM practices regarding the lack of evidence and placebo effects. It is thus imperative for physicians to be comfortable in discussing CAM-related topics with patients and be able to appropriately and informatively guide them in a way that harnesses potential benefits and avoids potential harm. In this review, the major CAM therapies in the United States are examined, including the settings in which they are being used, evidence base status, and efficacy of some of the most commonly used modalities. This review contains 5 figures, 21 tables, and 123 references. Keywords: Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy

The use of complementary and alternative medicine among women with breast cancer in Saudi Arabia

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to explore the frequency of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies among women with breast cancer in Saudi Arabia. DesignA descriptive cross-sectional study design was used with face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. SampleA convenient sample of 85 Saudi women with breast cancer who were undergoing cancer treatment was recruited from the Oncology Department of King Faisal Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. MethodsUsing structured questionnaire “Use of Complementary Therapies Survey,” consisted of diet and nutritional supplements, stress-reducing therapies, and other traditional treatments. ResultParticipants were predominantly married (76.5%), resided in an urban area (83.5%), unemployed (62%), and about half reported no income (49.4%). The mean age was 48 years. All participants reported using at least three or more CAM therapies (mean = 21.15, SD = 8.85) since their diagnosis. There were significant correlations between other CAM use and time since diagnosis (rs = −0.33, p < .05). The highest usage of dietary and nutritional supplements occurred with honey, olive oil, antioxidants, Fennel flower seeds, and ginger. The highest stress reducing CAM techniques included reading the Holy Qur'ãn, and praying. For other traditional CAM therapies, positive thinking and relaxation techniques were the most frequent methods reported by women. Other CAM treatments involved ZamZam water and listening to music. ConclusionsThe use of complementary therapies among Saudi women with breast cancer is highly prevalent, with a predominance of interventions of religious background, indicating the strong influence of religion on peoples' lives, especially when people are faced with a life-threatening illness. The results of this study will guide future studies examining the efficacy of CAM on symptom management in Saudi Arabian women with breast cancer and other types of cancer.

Perception and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among University of Sharjah (UOS) students

Background: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a term used for practices and use of products other than conventional standard evidence-based medical care.Objective: To assess the CAM knowledge and utilization among University of Sharjah students, UAE.Method: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted. 250 surveys among UOS students were distributed. The data was obtained through a well-designed questionnaire of 3 main categories. The first part was designed to collect socio-demographic data, while the second part mainly measured CAM knowledge and the practicing pattern. The last section was developed to assess CAM beliefs and psychological behavior behind CAM utilization.Results: 214 participants agreed to participate (response rate 85.6%), and 81% reported their belief in CAM as medical therapy. The reason behind their belief in CAM was due to efficacy (37%) and safety (21%). Approximately 74% of participants claimed their CAM knowledge, and the most frequently used CAM therapy was cupping. Most participants (47%) gained their knowledge from regular courses offered by UOS. Around 33% of the participants consult their physicians before utilizing CAM therapy. However, 42% utilized CAM by unlicensed practitioners.Conclusion: Obtained results indicated the high level of CAM knowledge among UOS students in particular females while cupping being the most frequent used CAM therapy. The main reasons justifying the use of cupping was religion, and cultural-based. The lack of sufficient scientific data and the minimal link between the physician and the consumers were the main obstacles attributed to the limited use of CAM.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by U.S. Adults with Self-Reported Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis: Results from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have been reported for the management of arthritis. However, little is known about CAM use among adults with self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. To determine (1) the prevalence and type of CAM use, (2) the difference in characteristics between CAM users and non-CAM users, and (3) the factors related to CAM use, among U.S. adults with self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Secondary analysis of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. The NHIS is a cross-sectional survey that gathers health-related data on the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. The NHIS 2012 uses a complex, multistage sampling design and oversamples minorities to achieve population representation; it included 34 525 adults, with 7179 adults having arthritis. Data were analyzed using Stata 15.1 survey syntax. The potential factors related to CAM use included sociodemographics and health-related characteristics. CAM modalities were categorized into six groups: natural products, manipulative therapies, mind-body therapies, special diets, movement therapies, and other practitioner-based CAM modalities. Of the adults with arthritis, 2428 (weighted estimate of 36.2% of U.S. adult population) had used CAM within the last year. Adults with arthritis reported greater use of CAM than those without, particularly the use of natural products, manipulative therapies and other practitioner-based CAM modalities. Factors associated with higher CAM use included being female, residing in regions other than the U.S. South, having a college degree or higher, reporting very good/excellent self-rated health status, and having current symptoms of joint stiffness/pain. As more than one-third of U.S. adults with arthritis seek CAM therapies, open and nonjudgmental conversations between conventional medicine providers, CAM providers, and patients should be encouraged to ensure patient health care needs are being met. III.