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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

A reflective overview of complementary therapies for children 1995-2005.

This article considers briefly how and why complementary and alternative medicine has developed in children's care during the last 10 years. Some of the therapies utilised by children are discussed, similarities and differences to trends in CAM for adults highlighted and a potential role for CAM in children's care in the future, suggested.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Use of complementary therapies among primary care clinic patients with arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for chronic conditions has increased in recent years. There is little information, however, on CAM use among adults with clinic-confirmed diagnoses, including arthritis, who are treated by primary care physicians. METHODS: To assess the frequency and types of CAM therapy used by Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women and men with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia, we used stratified random selection to identify 612 participants aged 18-84 years and seen in university-based primary care clinics. Respondents completed an interviewer-administered survey in English or Spanish. RESULTS: Nearly half (44.6%) of the study population was of Hispanic ethnicity, 71.4% were women, and 65.0% had annual incomes of less than 25,000 dollars. Most (90.2%) had ever used CAM for arthritis, and 69.2% were using CAM at the time of the interview. Current use was highest for oral supplements (mainly glucosamine and chondroitin) (34.1%), mind-body therapies (29.0%), and herbal topical ointments (25.1%). Fewer participants made current use of vitamins and minerals (16.6%), herbs taken orally (13.6%), a CAM therapist (12.7%), CAM movement therapies (10.6%), special diets (10.1%), or copper jewelry or magnets (9.2%). Those with fibromyalgia currently used an average of 3.9 CAM therapies versus 2.4 for those with rheumatoid arthritis and 2.1 for those with osteoarthritis. Current CAM use was significantly associated with being female, being under 55 years of age, and having some college education. CONCLUSION: Hispanic and non-Hispanic white arthritis patients used CAM to supplement conventional treatments. Health care providers should be aware of the high use of CAM and incorporate questions about its use into routine assessments and treatment planning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Will the GP commissioner role make a difference? Exploratory findings from a pilot project offering complementary therapy to people with musculo-skeletal problems.

The paper focuses on the interprofessional relationships which developed between general practitioners (GPs) and complementary practitioners (CPs) during a pilot project where GPs referred to acupuncturists, osteopaths and chiropractors. It is based on interviews with GPs and CPs, that took place at the beginning and end of an evaluative study on patients referred with musculoskelal conditions. Referrals to hospital orthopaedic outpatients departments and pain clinics were also examined. The most common relationship that developed was where the GP delegated responsibility for treatment to the CP. One CP and GP developed a more interactive relationship which included a shared diagnostic role. The NHS reforms offer opportunities for different types of working relationships to develop between health professionals. They also offer opportunities for professionals who have not traditionally worked in the NHS to do so. The findings discussed here are exploratory. Further research to identify the types of relationships developing between CPs and GPs and to establish whether the type of relationship has an impact on secondary referrals and treatment outcomes is recommended.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2001

Perceptions about complementary therapies relative to conventional therapies among adults who use both: results from a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about perceptions of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapy relative to conventional therapy among patients who use both. OBJECTIVE: To document perceptions about CAM therapies among persons who use CAM and conventional therapies. DESIGN: Nationally representative, random-household telephone survey. SETTING: The 48 contiguous U.S. states. PARTICIPANTS: 831 adults who saw a medical doctor and used CAM therapies in 1997. MEASUREMENTS: Perceptions about helpfulness and patterns of CAM therapy use relative to conventional therapy use and reasons for nondisclosure of CAM therapies. RESULTS: Of 831 respondents who saw a medical doctor and used CAM therapies in the previous 12 months, 79% perceived the combination to be superior to either one alone. Of 411 respondents who reported seeing both a medical doctor and a CAM provider, 70% typically saw a medical doctor before or concurrent with their visits to a CAM provider; 15% typically saw a CAM provider before seeing a medical doctor. Perceived confidence in CAM providers was not substantially different from confidence in medical doctors. Among the 831 respondents who in the past year had used a CAM therapy and seen a medical doctor, 63% to 72% did not disclose at least one type of CAM therapy to the medical doctor. Among 507 respondents who reported their reasons for nondisclosure of use of 726 alternative therapies, common reasons for nondisclosure were "It wasn't important for the doctor to know" (61%), "The doctor never asked" (60%), "It was none of the doctor's business" (31%), and "The doctor would not understand" (20%). Fewer respondents (14%) thought their doctor would disapprove of or discourage CAM use, and 2% thought their doctor might not continue as their provider. Respondents judged CAM therapies to be more helpful than conventional care for the treatment of headache and neck and back conditions but considered conventional care to be more helpful than CAM therapy for treatment of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: National survey data do not support the view that use of CAM therapy in the United States primarily reflects dissatisfaction with conventional care. Adults who use both appear to value both and tend to be less concerned about their medical doctor's disapproval than about their doctor's inability to understand or incorporate CAM therapy use within the context of their medical management.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Complementary therapy use and quality of life in persons with high-grade gliomas.

Studies have indicated that 30%-80% of cancer patients use complementary and alternative practices and products (CAPPs), but little is known about CAPPs use by persons with brain tumors. This secondary analysis of Glioma Outcomes Project data compared CAPPs users with nonusers, compared those who stopped using CAPPs with those who continued use, described frequency and patterns of CAPPs use, and compared the relationship of CAPPs use to self-reported quality of life (QOL) over time, in 186 persons with high-grade gliomas. CAPPs users at all three measurement points rated QOL higher, although not significantly higher, than nonusers. Study findings support further exploration of CAPPs use and its effects on key outcomes in persons with high-grade gliomas.

Adult↗