The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Dec 2001
Barriers to acceptance: an exploratory study of complementary/alternative medicine disuse.
Previous research indicates wide use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). While understanding this trend is certainly important, an equally meaningful although largely unexamined research question is: why do the majority of patients and individuals fail to avail themselves of such therapies? Understanding these factors may be particularly important given the increasing evidence suggesting that certain of these therapies may be efficacious. ⋯ Study findings indicate people are less likely to use CAM if they are male, are in good health, believe that the therapies are in general ineffective or inferior to conventional methods, perceive that conventional medical doctors are not supportive, and to a lesser extent feel they do not have adequate knowledge of CAM. Specifically, avoidance of chiropractic is associated with concerns for safety and side-effects. For treatments that are more provider-based as opposed to self-care based, lack of accessibility-to providers may explain disuse. As researchers continue to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of CAM therapies, these preliminary findings deserve attention because they highlight potential reasons why patients and physicians may be biased against or unable to avail themselves of such therapies.
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J Altern Complement Med · Dec 2001
The diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic low-back pain by traditional Chinese medical acupuncturists.
The selection of appropriate treatments in clinical trials of acupuncture requires understanding how acupuncturists diagnose and treat specific conditions. We examined the Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) diagnoses and treatments for patients with chronic low-back pain using two separate sets of treatment records. Information from more than 150 initial visits was available for analysis. ⋯ There was substantial variability in treatments among providers. Such diversity will make it challenging to select a single treatment that has wide applicability. We recommend that researchers attempt to develop a treatment that is considered credible by expert acupuncturists and has broad features characteristic of patterns of common clinical practice.
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J Altern Complement Med · Dec 2001
An exploratory pilot study of acupuncture on the quality of life and reproductive hormone secretion in menopausal women.
The majority of menopausal women suffer from climacteric symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acupuncture on the quality of life and reproductive hormones secretion in menopausal women. Eleven (11) menopausal women with climacteric symptoms entered this prospective study. ⋯ In conclusion, acupuncture is shown to be effective in relieving vasomotor and physical disturbances of menopausal women with effects lasting at least up to 3 months after termination of the treatment. Acupuncture may be a useful treatment alternative for women who are unable or do not want to receive hormone replacement therapy. A prospective study with larger sample sizes will be needed to define the role of acupuncture in the management of menopausal symptoms.