Positive Health Online | Research - O’HARE and COLLEAGUES,

Research: O’HARE and COLLEAGUES,

Abstract

O’HARE and COLLEAGUES, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, 207 N. Broad Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA. pohare@drexelmed.edu conducted an online survey to describe the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies among interstitial cystitis (IC) patients and their perception of CAM therapies' effectiveness,

Background

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies among interstitial cystitis (IC) patients, patients' perception of CAM therapies' effectiveness, and the association of time since diagnosis with perceived effectiveness of these therapies.

Methodology

In April 2009, the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) initiated an Internet-based survey on CAM. Respondents indicated whether they received an IC diagnosis and how long ago, whether they tried CAM, and who recommended it. On a 5-point scale, respondents rated 49 therapies. For respondents confirming a diagnosis, we used a chi-square goodness-of-fit test to assess which therapies were rated positively or negatively by a majority of patients who tried them. Using separate one-way analyses of variance, we assessed differences in mean perceived effectiveness among groups based on time since diagnosis and conducted post hoc tests, if necessary. Using chi-square tests, we explored the association of time since diagnosis with the use of CAM and the number of therapies tried.

Results

A total of 2,101 subjects responded to the survey; 1,982 confirmed an IC diagnosis. Most (84.2 %) had tried CAM, and 55 % said physicians had recommended CAM. Of those trying CAM, 82.8 % had tried diet or physical therapy and 69.2 % other therapies. Of the therapies, 22 were rated positively and 20 negatively; 7 were inconclusive. Therapies patients perceived to be helpful included dietary management and pain management adjuncts such as physical therapy, heat and cold, meditation and relaxation, acupuncture, stress reduction, exercise, and sleep hygiene. Many therapies worked better for those diagnosed recently than for those diagnosed long before.

Conclusion

Randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed to demonstrate which therapies may indeed control IC symptoms and help send research in new and productive directions.

References

O'Hare PG 3rd, Hoffmann AR, Allen P, Gordon B, Salin L and Whitmore K. Interstitial cystitis patients' use and rating of complementary and alternative medicine therapies. International Urogynecology Journal. 24(6): 977-82. Jun 2013.

SPECTOR and COLLEAGUES, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, 313 Dental Science Building South, Iowa City, IA 52242-1001;. michael-spector@uiowa.edu sought to identify the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) education in US dental schools.

BACKGROUNDS: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) education in US dental schools.

METHODOLOGY: A survey was administered via e-mail to each U.S. dental school's academic dean, and data were collected from respondents in a fillable PDF form submitted electronically to the study investigators. The survey asked respondents whether CAM was taught at the institution; if the response was yes, information was requested regarding the CAM therapies included, credentials of the instructor, number of hours taught, reason for teaching CAM, and format in which CAM was taught.

RESULTS: Of the sixty dental schools contacted, twenty-two responded to the survey (37 percent response rate). Of these respondents, ten (45.5 percent) reported offering instruction in CAM as part of their predoctoral curricula. Herb/drug interactions were found to be taught with more frequency than any other CAM topic (in six out of the ten institutions).

CONCLUSIONS: Limitations of the study are discussed, and suggestions for future studies are made.

Spector ML, Kummet CM and Holmes DC. Complementary and alternative medicine in predoctoral dental curricula: an exploratory survey of U.S. dental schools. Journal of Dental Education. 77(12): 1610-5. Dec 2013.

O'Hare PG 3rd, Hoffmann AR, Allen P, Gordon B, Salin L and Whitmore K. Interstitial cystitis patients' use and rating of complementary and alternative medicine therapies. International Urogynecology Journal. 24(6): 977-82. Jun 2013.

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