Positive Health Online

Abstract

BRUNELLI and GORSON, Division of Neurology, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, 736 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02135, USA, have surveyed the use of complementary and alternative medicines by patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Background

Complementary and alternative therapies are increasingly popular and are used by patients with neurological disorders, but the prevalence and particulars of therapies used by patients with peripheral neuropathies is unknown.

Methodology

This prospective, questionnaire-based study surveyed 180 outpatients with peripheral neuropathies.

Results

43% of patient surveyed reported using complementary and alternative therapies. The most frequent were megavitamins, magnets, acupuncture, herbal remedies and chiropractic. About half of the patients who used these therapies reported trying more than one. 27% of respondents reported an improvement of their symptoms. They tended to be slightly younger than nonusers, and more often college-educated. Patients with diabetes-related neuropathy used complementary and alternative therapies more often. The most common reason for the use of complementary and alternative therapies was inadequate pain control. Almost half of the patients did not consult with a physician before trying complementary and alternative therapies.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of complementary and alternative therapy use amongst patients with peripheral neuropathy, and a quarter of them report improvement of symptoms. Most did not discuss this with a physician. Lack of pain control was the most common reason for using complementary or alternative therapies.

References

Brunelli B and Gorson KC. The use of complementary and alternative medicines by patients with peripheral neuropathy. Journal of Neurological Sciences 218 (1-2): 59-66, Mar 2004.

Comment

The above survey highlights the importance of conducting further research regarding the efficacy of complementary and alternative therapies for conditions such as peripheral neuropathy which are so distressing and refractive to many treatments.