The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Refugees: A Systematic Review.

March 13, 2010

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Refugees: A Systematic Review.

J Immigr Minor Health. 2010 Mar 12;

Authors: Macduff S, Grodin MA, Gardiner P

Little is known about the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among refugees, despite the common practice of CAM in many non-Western countries. We performed a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature using nine electronic databases. We included articles pertaining to refugees and CAM (whole medical systems, mind body medicine, herbal remedies, manipulative therapies, energy medicine). Qualitative and quantitative data were compiled and analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi square distribution tables. We reviewed 237 abstracts, and 47 publications met our inclusion criteria. Twenty-six papers documented whole medical systems; 11 mind-body medicine; 5 biologically based practices; 4 manipulative and body-based therapies; and 1 study documented the use of energy medicine. There were 3 clinical trials, 20 surveys, 12 case reports, 2 participant-observer qualitative papers, and 10 review papers. Most studies focused on Asian refugee populations (66%; n = 31). Mental problems related to trauma accounted for 36% of CAM use (17). Among included articles, methodological quality was extremely low. Our results show evidence that type of CAM used by refugees may vary based on ethnicity, yet this is most likely due to a bias in the medical literature. Efforts are needed to further explore these results and expand research within this field.

PMID: 20224938 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Use of complementary and alternative medicine during pregnancy and delivery.

February 24, 2010

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Use of complementary and alternative medicine during pregnancy and delivery.

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2010 Feb 23;

Authors: Kalder M, Knoblauch K, Hrgovic I, Münstedt K

PURPOSE: To assess the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during pregnancy and birth and the reasons behind it from the patient’s perspective. METHODS: In a prospective study, we assessed the use of CAM before and during pregnancy as well as during delivery in women by means of a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS: Some 205 patients completed the questionnaire at a response rate of 43.2% (205/475) and 104 women used CAM during pregnancy, especially homoeopathy, acupuncture, and phytotherapy. Stepwise regression analysis identified CAM use prior to pregnancy, greater income, and nationality as the most important predictors of CAM use. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with earlier studies from Germany, we determined the most important methods used in the field of obstetrics. Interestingly, these are not evidence-based and those methods which are evidence-based are not now used. Also, the predictors of CAM use in pregnancy were similar to those in oncology. Future studies should focus on the safety and efficacy of CAM in pregnancy.

PMID: 20177901 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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A Dutch View of the “Science” of CAM 1986-2003.

November 21, 2009

A Dutch View of the “Science” of CAM 1986-2003.

Eval Health Prof. 2009 Nov 18;

Authors: Renckens CN

Between 1986 and 2003, research efforts on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) were subsidized by the Dutch government. This led to 12 academic theses and a considerable number of papers in medical journals. In our review, we have summarized the results of this research, grouped by therapeutic category (that is, acupuncture, paranormal therapies, naturopathy, manual therapies, homeopathy and anthroposophical medicine.) Of the 12 theses, four were written in Dutch, three of which were not subsequently published in peer-reviewed journals, while the fourth, on enzyme therapy, led to a number of papers in Dutch medical journals. In three instances, mildly positive findings were reported: on the efficacy of manual therapies, the use of acupuncture analgesia in surgery, and an elimination diet against migraine and tension headaches. These positive conclusions can easily be explained by methodological shortcomings (e.g., not using credible placebo-control groups); in the other nine theses, the researchers themselves had drawn negative conclusions. The Dutch government ended its financial support for CAM research in 2006.

PMID: 19926606 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Preventive screening of women who use complementary and alternative medicine providers.

November 13, 2009

Preventive screening of women who use complementary and alternative medicine providers.

J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2009 Aug;18(8):1133-43

Authors: Downey L, Tyree PT, Lafferty WE

BACKGROUND: Many women use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Although CAM use has been associated with reductions in conventionally recommended pediatric preventive care (e.g., vaccination), little is known about associations between CAM use and receipt of recommended preventive screening in women. METHODS: Using Washington State insurance data from 2000 to 2003, the authors generated clustered logistic regression models, examining associations between provider-based CAM use and receipt of screening tests for Chlamydia trachomatis, breast cancer, and cervical cancer: (1) contrasting women who used CAM providers only (alternative use) and women who used both conventional and CAM providers (complementary use) with women who used conventional care only and (2) testing associations between screening and use of four specific CAM provider types-naturopathic physicians, chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists. RESULTS: Both alternative and complementary use was associated with reduced Chlamydia screening. Cancer screening increased with complementary use but decreased with alternative use of CAM. Use of naturopathy was associated with decreased mammography, whereas all four CAM therapies were positively associated with Papanicolaou testing. CONCLUSIONS: When used in conjunction with conventional care, use of provider-based CAM may signal high interest in various types of health-promoting behavior, including cancer screening. Negative associations between CAM and Chlamydia screening and between naturopathy and mammography require additional study. Interventions with CAM providers and their patients, aimed at improving rates of conventionally recommended screening, might encourage greater focus on preventive care, an important task when CAM providers serve as women’s only contact with the healthcare system.

PMID: 19630554 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Vitamin D Helps Improve Survival From Bowel And Skin Cancer

September 22, 2009

New research shows higher levels of vitamin D may help improve survival for both bowel and skin cancer patients*. The results of two studies published in the British Journal of Cancer and

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Following A Heart Attack, Oxygen-Saturated Blood Reduces Levels Of Damaged Heart Tissue

September 17, 2009

Results of a clinical trial published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions demonstrate that an infusion of blood that is “supersaturated” with oxygen (SS02) can reduce the amount of damaged heart muscle immediately following a life-threatening heart attack. “The benefit of this therapy increased with the scope of the heart attack,” said Gregg W. Stone, M.D.

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NPA To Continue Market Development Program In China Through 2010

September 11, 2009

The Natural Products Association (NPA) has announced that it will continue its participation in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (USDOC) China Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) through fiscal year 2010.

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Potential New Swine Flu Drugs From ‘Dung Of The Devil’ Plant

September 10, 2009

Scientists in China have discovered that roots of a plant used a century ago during the great Spanish influenza pandemic contains substances with powerful effects in laboratory experiments in killing the H1N1 swine flu virus that now threatens the world. The plant has a pleasant onion-like taste when cooked, but when raw it has sap so foul-smelling that some call it the “Dung of the Devil” plant. Their report is scheduled for the Sept.

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Society To Host A Masterclass For Licensing Herbal Medicines

September 9, 2009

In today’s age many people are looking to herbal remedies as a natural and alternative form of medication to relieve illnesses and maintain good health, but various EU guidelines make it very difficult to register a traditional herbal medicinal product (THMP) in Europe. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) will host a masterclass providing practical advice on registering a THMP on Friday 13 November 2009 at the RPSGB London headquarters.

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