The use of alternative medicine by multiple sclerosis patients--patient characteristics and patterns of use

Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie
M WinterhollerB Neundörfer

Abstract

The use of alternative medicine is growing in all Western countries. Little is known about the modalities and patterns of use of alternative medicine by patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. We analysed an anonymous questionnaire that was sent to and answered by 129 former inpatients who had multiple sclerosis diagnosed by typical clinical and laboratory findings. 82 of 129 patients (63.6%) have been using alternative therapies. They were treated with a total of 87 different alternative healing methods or substances. Some patients used up to 9 different methods. The mean duration of the alternative treatment was 2.6 (0-20) years. Most patients used homoeopathy (n = 35), herbs (29 different substances, 32 users), different relaxation methods like yoga (n = 38) and various diets (n = 21). The most important motivation to look for alternative medicine was the aim to participate actively in the healing process. Most patients thought that there was some positive effect from the alternative treatment but did not inform their general practitioner or neurologist about it. Like in other chronic diseases many MS-patients use alternative medicine. The experiences of these treatments forms part of the patient's coping with the disease.

Citations

Mar 5, 2003·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·James A Raub
Jan 26, 2013·Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology·Shri K MishraRay Zhang
Dec 8, 2004·Der Nervenarzt·S Schwarz, H Leweling
Mar 11, 2003·Clinical Rehabilitation·Sangeetha NayakSamuel C Shiflett
Jul 18, 2008·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·S SchwarzP Flachenecker
Apr 6, 2004·European Journal of Neurology : the Official Journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies·E PucciG Giuliani
Mar 1, 2005·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·Stefan Schwarz, Hans Leweling
Jun 20, 2003·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·Jaume Sastre-GarrigaXavier Montalban
Feb 24, 2004·Revue neurologique·J GrimaudUNKNOWN Collectif SEP des villes et SEP des champs

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.