Background: Previous research has shown that users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among persons with multiple sclerosis are more likely to be women and to have a higher level of education compared with nonusers. This qualitative study was performed to explore the motivations linked to CAM use among highly educated women with multiple sclerosis.

Methods: The study was based on a phenomenological approach, and 8 semistructured, in-depth qualitative interviews were performed. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed through meaning condensation and identification of recurring themes.

Results: Regarding the informants' motivations for CAM use, 3 main themes emerged: (1) Self-reliance is essential in disease management, (2) conventional health care lacks a holistic approach, and (3) personal experience is the primary guide.

Conclusions: The interviewees wanted approaches to health care that supported their desire to actively participate in the management of their disease. They were critical of the conventional health care system, and they emphasized the importance of letting their own personal experiences, as well as those of others, guide their decisions.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10211353PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2021-133DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

health care
12
complementary alternative
8
alternative medicine
8
highly educated
8
educated women
8
women multiple
8
multiple sclerosis
8
conventional health
8
reasons engaging
4
engaging complementary
4

Similar Publications

Introduction: Wearables are electronic devices worn on the body to collect health data. These devices, like smartwatches and patches, use sensors to gather information on various health parameters. This review highlights current use and the potential benefit of wearable technology in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Forecasting future public pharmaceutical expenditure is a challenge for healthcare payers, particularly owing to the unpredictability of new market introductions and their economic impact. No best-practice forecasting methods have been established so far. The literature distinguishes between the top-down approach, based on historical trends, and the bottom-up approach, using a combination of historical and horizon scanning data.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The objective of this study is to compare the 5 year overall survival of patients with stage I-III colon cancer treated by laparoscopic colectomy versus open colectomy.

Methods: Using Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Cancer Registry data from 2008 to 2018, we will emulate a phase III, multicenter, open-label, two-parallel-arm hypothetical target trial in adult patients with stage I-III colon cancer who received laparoscopic or open colectomy as an elective treatment. An inverse-probability weighted Royston‒Parmar parametric survival model (RPpsm) will be used to estimate the hazard ratio of laparoscopic versus open surgery after confounding factors are balanced between the two treatment arms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Validity of the MED4CHILD tool for assessing adherence to the Mediterranean diet in preschool children.

Eur J Pediatr

January 2025

Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009, Saragossa, Spain.

Unlabelled: Most of the available tools to assess adherence to Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) were constructed for adults, having limited applicability to children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to validate a specific questionnaire to assess adherence to MedDiet in children aged 3 to 6 years (MED4CHILD questionnaire). The validation was performed in a baseline examination of a cohort of children who were recruited in schools in seven cities.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

High cadmium (Cd) concentrations pose a threat to aquatic life globally. This study examined the efficiency of adding purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) leaf powder (PLP) to Oreochromis niloticus diets on Cd's negative effects.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!