Research: CAMPBELL and others,

Listed in Issue 128

Abstract

CAMPBELL and others, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System (PSHCS), Health Services Research and Development Service, Seattle, WA, USA, have surveyed the use of CAM therapies in veterans with multiple sclerosis.

Background

The aim of this study was to explore complementary and alternative medicine use in veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methodology

A self-report questionnaire was administered to 451 veterans with MS.

Results

CAM use among veterans with MS was widespread; 37% of respondents reported current or past use. Roughly 33% of CAM users reported using multiple interventions, and 40% of respondents desired interventions that they were not already using. Logistic regression suggested that CAM use was more likely among participants with graduate-level education, poor self-reported health over the past year, and a progressive relapsing MS subtype. Participants who used traditional medical services were also more likely to use CAM, which suggests that CAM services are used in addition to, as opposed to in place of, traditional services.

Conclusion

These results suggest that care providers who work with persons with MS would be well served to understand, routinely screen for, and make use of CAM when appropriate.

References

Campbell DG, Turner AP, Williams RM, Hatzakis M Jr, Bowen JD, Rodriquez A, Haselkorn JK. Complementary and alternative medicine use in veterans with multiple sclerosis: Prevalence and demographic associations. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development 43 (1): 99-110, Jan-Feb 2006.

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