Alternative Medicine Practices Research Articles

Knowledge, perception, attitude, and practice of complementary and alternative medicine by health care workers in Garki hospital Abuja, Nigeria

BackgroundHealthcare workers are currently making efforts to offer services that cater to the holistic care needs of their patients. Previous studies have shown that some healthcare workers encounter challenges when advising patients about Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), even though its use is widespread. Many health care workers may not have received formal education or training in CAM and consequently are unable to address their patients’ questions about it. This study explored the knowledge, perception, attitude and practice of CAM by healthcare workers in Garki Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.MethodsThis was an institution-based cross-sectional study, design and a convergent parallel, mixed methods design was used for data collection. Five (5) healthcare workers were purposively selected as participants for the key informant interviews, while two hundred and fifty (250) selected using a simple random sampling method completed the questionnaire. The data collection instruments used were a key informant interview guide and a 35-item self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge was assessed with a 4-item scale with a maximum score of 8. Perceptions and attitudes were assessed using Likert scales with a maximum score of 45 and 20, respectively. Practice was assessed with a 6-item scale with a maximum score of 18. Qualitative data was analysed using framework analysis. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Data acquired from both methods were integrated to form the findings.ResultsThe average age of respondents for the quantitative study was 34.0 ± 7.8 years, and they were predominantly females (61.2%) with one to ten years of work experience (68.8%). The mean knowledge, perception and attitude scores were 1.94 ± 1.39, 13.08 ± 2.34 and 32.68 ± 6.28, respectively. Multiple linear regression result showed that knowledge (t = 2.025, p = 0.044) and attitude (t = 5.961, p = 0.000) had statistically significant effects on the practice of CAM. Qualitative data revealed that the majority of the participants perceive CAM favourably, provided it is properly introduced into mainstream medicine with evidence of safety and research to prove its efficacy.ConclusionThe study has shown the gaps in knowledge and the practices of CAM by conventional medical practitioners. This has implications for their ability to counsel and refer patients who may require CAM therapies. Policy, research and programmatic initiatives that seek to enhance their knowledge of CAM, and improve collaboration with CAM practitioners are recommended.

TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE BELIEFS INVENTORY IN ADULTS: A METHODOLOGICAL STUDY

Aims: This study was conducted to establish the Turkish validity and reliability of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Beliefs Inventory (CAMBI) used to measure adults' beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine practices. Methods: The study was designed as a methodological study. The population of the study consisted of individuals receiving services from a family health center in Ankara. The sample consisted of 354 individuals who agreed to participate in the study and met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum) of the data obtained in the study were calculated. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were conducted to test validity. The reliability of the scale was assessed through item-total correlation, item analysis, Cronbach α, and test-retest correlation. Results: The results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed that there is only one factor with an eigenvalue above 1, explaining 73.11% of the total variance. Additionally, fit indices obtained from the results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis yielded a χ2/df fit index of 3.214, a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of 0.079, a Comparative Fit Index (CFI) of 0.901, and an Adjusted Goodness-of-Fit Index (AGFI) of 0.854. The Cronbach’s α value of the scale in our study was 0.97. Conclusion: The adapted Turkish version of the 16-item scale has been determined to be a measurement tool that adheres to validity and reliability criteria. It serves as an assessment instrument usable by healthcare professionals to evaluate adult individuals' beliefs regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods.

What routes makes Essential Oils effective in Aromatherapy? A current perspective study

Aromatherapy, the therapeutic application of essential oils extracted from plants, has emerged as a prominent practice in complementary and alternative medicine. Essential oils, renowned for their aromatic compounds, are utilized in a variety of therapeutic modalities to enhance physical, emotional, and mental health. Understanding the administration routes of essential oils is crucial for maximizing their therapeutic potential and ensuring safety. The method of administration—whether inhalation, topical application, or ingestion—significantly influences the absorption, distribution, and efficacy of the bioactive compounds in essential oils. For instance, inhalation directly interacts with the olfactory system, potentially impacting mood and stress levels, while topical application facilitates localized effects and transdermal absorption, providing targeted therapeutic benefits. Ingestion, though less common, requires careful consideration due to the potent nature and potential toxicity of essential oils. This paper emphasizes the importance of selecting the appropriate administration route based on desired outcomes and safety considerations. It also explores the concept of synergy, where the interaction of multiple essential oil constituents can enhance therapeutic effects, exemplified by the compounds in lavender and eucalyptus oils. This study highlights the challenges in aromatherapy research, including the need for standardization, quality assurance, and rigorous methodological approaches to validate the therapeutic efficacy of essential oils.

Investigation of Attitudes Towards Complementary Alternative Medicine in Young Adulthood

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the attitudes of individuals aged 18-24 towards complementary alternative medicine.
 Material-Method: The sample of the cross-sectional study, which is one of the analytical research types, consisted of 178 individuals between the ages of 18-24, at least primary education level, having technological devices and able to use internet networks. Descriptive statistics, independent groups t test, ANOVA, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, Tukey tests and regression analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. The significance level was taken as 0.05 in the interpretation of the results.
 Results: In the study, it was found that those who had a large family type, who thought that complementary or alternative medicine practices were beneficial, who recommended these practices to their close environment or friends, and who found complementary medicine practices more beneficial than the treatments applied in health institutions positively affected the scale mean scores (p

The impact of wet cupping on haematological and inflammatory parameters in a sample of Jordanian team players

Background/objectiveThe practice of complementary and alternative medicine has significantly gained acceptance worldwide, such as Al-Hijama, also known as cupping therapy. Despite the growing popularity of therapeutic cupping among athletes, little is known about the impact of cupping therapy on sports fields. The current study was designed to explore the effect of wet cupping therapy on the haematological and inflammatory parameters in Jordanian national team players. MethodsThe procedure was carried out at a specialized centre for cupping in Amman on the morning of the 19th Rajab. The data were obtained from 14 healthy male participants aged between 21 and 22 years. The haematological and inflammatory parameters were assessed by comparing venous blood components before and after four weeks of wet cupping. ResultsComplete blood count (CBC) analysis of venous blood samples four weeks after wet cupping showed a significant increase in the values of total white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, lymphocytes, red blood cells (RBCs), haematocrit, and haemoglobin as compared with venous blood samples before cupping. Blood film examination of venous blood samples post-cupping revealed normocytic normochromic RBCs; WBCs and platelets were unremarkable. Analysis of inflammatory markers post cupping showed a significant decrease in the monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) but no differences in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that wet cupping has an indispensable influence on haematological and immunological parameters in athletes, where it reinforces cellular immunity, generates younger blood cells, and reduces inflammation markers. It is probable, therefore, that cupping improves sports performance and achievement. The evidence from this research adds to a growing body of literature on cupping therapy in sports.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVEMEDICINE USAGE AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS INEASTERN PROVINCE, SAUDI ARABIA2022-2023

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVEMEDICINE USAGE AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS INEASTERN PROVINCE, SAUDI ARABIA2022-2023

Doğal Tüketilebilir Bazı Mantar Türlerinin Fenolik İçeriklerinin ve Antioksidan Aktivitelerinin Araştırılması

In recent years, edible mushroom species have become a part of the daily human diet due to their high protein content. These mushrooms have also gained popularity in alternative medicine practices due to their chemical composition and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to determine the biologically important antioxidant activities and total phenolic content of four different mushroom species, each with its unique appearance and habitat: Amanita caesarea (Aca), Clitocybe geotropa (Cge), Cordyceps militaris (Cmi) and Lentinula edodes (Led). The antioxidant activities of the mushroom species were determined using the DPPH radical scavenging method, and the percentage inhibition and IC50 values were reported. The analysis of inhibition values at various concentrations revealed that both Cmi and Aca mushrooms demonstrated higher antioxidant activity when compared to Led and Cge mushrooms across all tested concentrations. Moreover, the phenolic content of the methanolic extracts, quantified in gallic acid equivalents (GAE), were determined to be 37.04±0.35, 52.04±0.41, 19.33±0.11, and 21.63±0.15 mg GAE/g for Cmi, Aca, Led, and Cge, respectively. In conclusion, a direct correlation was noted between the overall phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of the various mushroom species.

Chromotherapy: a useful tool for managing anxiety in children

Background: Dental anxiety is a type of fear developed due to threatening stimuli. Assessing the child's level of dental anxiety is very important to successfully carry out many treatment procedures in dentistry. Needles in general can cause dental anxiety. Chromotherapy is an ancient alternative medicine practice that uses the energy of the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation (i.e., coloured light) to induce changes in the human body. The objective of this study was to clinically evaluate and compare the effect of chromotherapy on the level of anxiety in patients treated with infiltration under local anaesthesia. Methods: This is a randomized control trial where anxiety was assessed using heart rate and animated emoji scale (AES) in children aged 4-14 years requiring infiltration injection of local anaesthesia. Patients were divided into 4 groups: group-1 blue, group-2 pink and group-3 yellow, group 4-control. Evaluation of all parameters was carried out at three levels, i.e., pre-operative, post-chromotherapy session and infiltration after local anaesthesia. Results: This study demonstrated that patients subjected to blue, pink and yellow colour therapy had a statistically significant reduction in anxiety compared to the control group after chromotherapy. Conclusions: Chromotherapy plays an important role in managing dental anxiety in children and can be effectively incorporated into routine practice.

Development of Search Filters for Clinical Studies of Herbs in PubMed

Clinical studies of herbs are crucial to practice in alternative medicine. However, finding those articles from databases is difficult due to the complexity of terminology. While clinical search filters are helpful, to date there are no search filters specific to clinical studies of herbs. This study aimed to develop search filters to retrieve clinical studies of herbs from PubMed. Relevant clinical study of herb articles from 2019 to 2020 was manually identified from ten selected journals. Search terms were extracted from the articles using PubReMiner, and search strategies composed of one to four search terms were formulated and evaluated. Out of 8,169 articles, 211 were clinical studies of herbs. The two most effective search filters showed 100% sensitivity with 85% specificity and 99% specificity with 55% sensitivity. These queries, respectively, reached 99% sensitivity with 85% specificity and 99% specificity with 60% sensitivity in the validation set. The developed search filters yielded more relevant articles than PubMed’s clinical study filter when using the same herb name. Search filters for clinical studies of herbs were developed successfully. The best search strategy is to use these filters with the name of the herb that the researchers desire.

Healthcare professionals' perception and practice of complementary and alternative medicine in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

Over the last few decades, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown in popularity, changing health professionals' knowledge and attitude toward CAM, and the treatment recommended by them. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perception and practice of CAM among healthcare professionals. A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare providers selected by multistage random sampling technique in two governmental hospitals and ten primary healthcare centers in two governorates in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. A web-based, self-administered questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms. A total of 350 physicians responded to the survey. Good basic knowledge about CAM was reported by 48.6% of the respondents; a positive attitude was adopted by 53%; and CAM was actively practiced by 9.7%. Being a physician > 40 years and consultant affiliation were significantly associated with higher knowledge level about CAM (p = 0.006 and 0.03, respectively), as well as having a proactive practice (p = 0.007 and 0.04, respectively). Practicing CAM was prevalent among non-Saudi and married physicians (p = 0.02 for both). Knowledge about CAM and its practice were strongly correlated (p = 0.007). The most frequent constraints facing CAM practice were lack of knowledge and training on CAM (81.4%) and lack of studies supporting CAM (74.3%). The practices of health professionals in Qassim region need to be improved despite their expertise and favourable perception of CAM. Educational interventions could play greater roles in providing evidence-based CAM knowledge and enhancing training for physicians.

Can Integrative, complementary alternative medicine, and integrative and functional nutrition practices have a place in nutrition management?

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the attitudes of dietitians and dietitian candidates about integrative complementary and alternative medicine and integrative and functional nutrition.
 Methods: This descriptive research was conducted with a self-reported online survey on dietitians and candidates (n = 390). Various questions were asked to evaluate the approach to functional medicine and nutrition, including the terms integrative and functional medicine nutrition therapy radial, medical history, and treatments used to treat chronic disease. The Attitude Towards Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Scale evaluated participants' attitudes toward integrative complementary and alternative medicine.
 Results: The majority of the participants know the terms functional medicine (95.4%) and integrative and functional nutrition (85.4%). The attitudes of dietitians towards complementary and alternative medicine were significantly more optimistic when compared to dietitian candidates (38.3±0.53 versus 34.5 ± 0.67, p = 0.002). When the application of the integrative and functional medicine nutrition therapy radial was examined, it was found that the majority of them always consider lifestyle (84.1%), allergens/intolerance (84.1%), negative thoughts and beliefs (80.0%), and system signs and symptoms (71.3%). Dietitians question digestive system health (94.9%), sleep and physical activity (94.4%), stress (93.4%), medication and supplement use (93.9%), and mood variability (86.9%) when taking the individual's anamnesis. The supplements that dietitians found beneficial were probiotic-prebiotic (91.4%), multivitamin-mineral (84.8%), and herbal (75.8%). Dietitian-approved diets were elimination diet (85.4%), FODMAP (80.8%), autoimmune protocol diet (72.2%), GAPS diet (70.7%), and ketogenic diet (69.2%), respectively.
 Conclusion: It has been found that dietitians have positive attitudes toward integrative, complementary medicine, and functional nutrition.

Prevalence of questionable health behaviours in Serbia and their psychological roots: protocol for a nationally representative survey

IntroductionWe will launch a national survey in Serbia to document the prevalence of two types of questionable health behaviours: (1) intentional non-adherence to medical recommendations and (2) use of traditional,...

Promoting whole person health: Exploring the role of traditional Chinese medicine in Polish healthcare

Poland has a unique history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dating back to the 17th century when Polish missionary Michael (Michał) Boym was a pioneer in the field. In the 20th century, his successor, Professor Zbigniew Garnuszewski, reintroduced acupuncture to medical practice in Poland. However, other methods of TCM and its holistic approach to patient care have not found their place in modern medicine in Poland. At present, the legal status of TCM in Poland remains unregulated, with TCM included in the broad spectrum of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices. Few reports are available on the use of TCM methods among the Polish population. Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine with evidence-based CAM interventions and considers all aspects of a patient’s health, including physical, emotional, mental, social, and environmental factors. An integrative healthcare model that incorporates TCM modalities and lifestyle recommendations as well as a whole person approach may provide a more sustainable solution for the constantly underfinanced Polish healthcare system, which faces challenges of multimorbidity in an aging society and limited access to care. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, war in Ukraine, and ongoing climate crisis have underscored the need to strengthen the resilience of the Polish healthcare system and search for new solutions. A model of care that blends the best of biomedicine and TCM healing approaches may be a better option for both patients and the healthcare system in Poland.Please cite this article as: Rybicka M, Zhao J, Piotrowicz K, Ptasnik S, Mitka K, Kocot-Kępska M, Hui KK. Promoting whole person health: Exploring the role of traditional Chinese medicine in Polish healthcare. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(6): 509–517.

The use and effects of telemedicine on complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine practices: a scoping review

BackgroundTelemedicine includes the delivery of health-care services and sharing of health information across distances. Past research has found that telemedicine can play a role in enhancing complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) while allowing the maintenance of cultural values and ancestral knowledge. This scoping review synthesized evidence regarding the use of telemedicine in the context of CAIM.MethodsFollowing Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE and AMED databases were searched systematically. The CADTH website was also searched for grey literature. Eligible articles included a CAIM practice or therapy offered through telemedicine, with no restrictions placed on the type of telemedicine technology used. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted to synthesise common themes among the included studies.ResultsSixty-two articles were included in this synthesis. The following themes emerged: 1) the practitioner view of CAIM delivered through telemedicine, 2) the patient view of CAIM delivered through telemedicine, and 3) the technological impacts of telemedicine delivery of CAIM.ConclusionsStudies have shown that telemedicine delivery of CAIM is feasible, acceptable, and results in positive health outcomes. Some barriers remain such as the presence of chronic illness and morbidity, inability to form strong patient-provider relationships relative to face-to-face approaches, and technological difficulties. Future intervention research should focus on reducing such barriers, as well as explore which patient population would realize the greatest benefit from CAIM delivered via telemedicine, and the impact of interventions on providers and caregivers.

Public knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicine in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia

Public knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicine in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia

Survey on the Practice of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Among Herbalists in Fes

Survey on the Practice of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Among Herbalists in Fes

Attitudes pregnant women in Türkiye towards holistic complementary and alternative medicine and influencing factors: a web-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundPregnant women turn to holistic complementary and alternative medicine to cope with problems associated with the changes they experience during pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the attitudes of pregnant women in Türkiye toward holistic complementary and alternative medicine and influencing factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional exploratory study was carried out between June and November 2022 with a web-based questionnaire distributed via social media and communication platforms. Two hundred and twenty-one pregnant women participated in the study. A "Participant Identification Form" and the "Attitudes towards Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire" were used to collect the data. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine correlations between variables and scale scores.ResultsIt was determined that 84.2% of the participants had knowledge about traditional and complementary therapies, and 77.8% used traditional and complementary therapies. The participants reported that they preferred faith (77.4%), energy healing (76.9%), massage (75.6%), diet (74.2%), meditation/yoga (62.0%), and herbal (59.7%) traditional and complementary therapies the most, and most of them used these methods to reduce nausea, vomiting, edema, and fatigue during pregnancy. The mean Attitudes towards Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire score of the participants was 35.0 (5.04). It was seen that having high school or higher education (p < 0.05), having an income more than expenses (p < 0.001), having received advice from nurses when having a complaint (p < 0.001), having knowledge about traditional and complementary therapies (p < 0.001), and being a practitioner who received services of traditional and complementary therapies (p < 0.001) were positively associated with the utilization of traditional and complementary therapies.ConclusionIn this study, it was determined that the attitudes of pregnant women towards holistic complementary and alternative medicine were high. Their personal characteristics, as well as their knowledge and practice of holistic complementary and alternative medicine affected their attitudes towards holistic complementary and alternative medicine. Obstetrics nurses/midwives should actively participate in training programs on traditional and complementary therapies focused on pregnant women.

Pediatrik nöroloji polikliniğine başvuran hastalarda tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tıp uygulamalarının kullanımı

Introduction: Despite the developments in pharmacologic treatments, traditional and complementary therapies have recently gained popularity in our country, as well as around the world.&#x0D; Aim: To question complementary and alternative medicine practices CAMP during clinical visits of pediatric neurology patients, to raise awareness of families and patients about the use of complementary and alternative medicine, and to prevent possible negative interactions.&#x0D; Methods: This prospective survey study was conducted with the parents of 300 pediatric patients aged between 6 months and 18 years, who were being treated at the Child Neurology Clinic between March 1st and May 30th, 2020. For the study, 360 patients’ parents who came to the Pediatric Neurology clinic for treatment were randomly selected, and a face-to-face survey lasting 2 minutes was conducted with 300 patients’ parents who agreed to participate in the study.&#x0D; This study was approved with the decision number E-20-12-62 at the meeting dated 21.12.2020 of the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of SBU Ankara Dr Sami Ulus Gynecology and Childhood Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital.&#x0D; Results: Three hundred parents (56% women) participated in the study. Just over half (55.3%) of the patients were followed up with a diagnosis of epilepsy, 56.6% of the parents stated that they had used traditional and complementary therapy methods before, 43.4% stated that they did not use it, 46.54% stated that they used prayer and 23,9% used vitamin methods, respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: In neurologic diseases, parents use traditional and complementary therapies as treatment methods, creating an alternative to modern medicine. Families and patients should be informed by investigating the reasons and frequency of using traditional and complementary therapies, raising the awareness of parents, and determining the possible harm caused by traditional and complementary therapies.

Contemporary Mindfulness and Transreligious Learning Paths of Mental Health Professionals

In this article, we apply and assess the concept of transreligiosity in the study of formally educated and licensed psychologists and psychotherapists in Finland who integrate mindfulness practices in their professional toolkit. Our analytical focus complements the discussion on the use of religious and spiritual traditions as therapeutic resources by turning scholarly attention from individual coping tools to the professional skills of therapeutic work and from complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices to mainstream health care and education. In the field of mindfulness research, we add to the cumulative body of ethnographic approaches by analyzing the mindfulness-related individual learning paths of mental health professionals through qualitative interview data. Based on our analysis, we conclude that the professional skills of using mindfulness practices in secular health care and education can result from transreligious learning trajectories, in which psychologists and psychotherapists supplement science-based academic education with learning in Buddhist communities and training with Buddhist teachers. This role of Buddhist environments and resources points to a blind spot in the current understanding of adult and professional learning, in which the value and position of religious traditions as possible complementary sources of professional knowledge and skills are not sufficiently recognized.

Phenomenology Analysis of the Meaning of Healthy Living on Alternative Medicine Practices

A healthy life is a sense of well-being due to fulfilling all needs within reasonable limits so that physical and mental health can be realized from various life stages. People still interpret healthy life according to their thoughts and understanding, which cannot be separated from beliefs, family values, and culture; they still choose to use alternative medicine instead of modern medicine. This research aims to understand the community's actions in interpreting a healthy life that prefers alternative medical practices compared to modern medical practices. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a phenomenological research type. This study used a purposive technique with four people as subjects who used alternative medicine facilities. Data collection techniques using observation, interviews, and documents. The data analysis method used is proprietary data analysis to analyze field data, while the data validation method uses triangulation. The results of this study are based on the dimensions of awareness, experience, suggestions, believed; the meaning of a healthy life with alternative medicine is not only physical (physical) health but non-physical (spiritual) health as well. Alternative medicine is a unique and holistic treatment. The process of creating a healthy life begins with the human element itself, which starts with the seeds, weight, and calves in the process of the human life cycle from birth to death in behaviour and science.