Research: MEHL, Program in Integ

Listed in Issue 78

Abstract

MEHL, Program in Integrative Medicine of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Texas, USA, evaluated non-drug and non-surgical (ND/NS) therapies (which included traditional Chinese medicine, body therapies and guided imagery) for treating women with uterine fibroids.

Background

Increasingly, women with uterine fibroids are keen to find alternatives to conventional therapies. It is therefore important to investigate what alternatives are effective and also whether they are cost-effective.

Methodology

74 menstruating women aged 24 to 45 years with uterine fibroids received either experimental treatment (n=37, ND/NS group) or conventional treatment (n=37, matched control group) for up to 6 months. The experimental programme consisted of weekly traditional Chinese medicine, somatic therapy, bodywork and guided imagery. Patients were evaluated on fibroid size, changes in troublesome symptoms and treatment satisfaction.

Results

In 22 patients in the ND/NS group, fibroids shrank and stopped growing, compared with three in the control group. Cost of treatment in the ND/NS group averaged US $3800 per patient, which was significantly higher than for patients in the standard care group. ND/NS and standard treatment were equally effective in reducing bothersome symptoms of fibroids. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the ND/NS group than in the control group.

Conclusion

The results confirm that effective alternatives to conventional treatments exist for treating uterine fibroids. The financial costs are higher, but patient satisfaction is also greater.

References

Mehl ML. Complementary medicine treatment of uterine fibroids: a pilot study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 8 (2): 34-6, 38-40, 42, 44-6. Mar-Apr 2002.

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