In patient-centered approaches the best of conventional medicine is used with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to combine the best of both for patient benefit. CAM methods, used in this way, are becoming more commonplace in headache management. CAM may be indicated if you simply prefer it, have low tolerance of or poor response to conventional drugs, or have a medical contraindicati...

BACKGROUND This study explored the psychological and behavioral mechanisms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in Japanese cancer patients using two applied behavioral models, the transtheoretical model (TTM), and theory of planned behavior (TPB). PATIENTS AND METHODS Questionnaires were distributed to 1100 patients at three cancer treatment facilities in Japan and data on 521...

Much effort has focused on examining the inhibitory effect of Salvadora persica (miswak) on oral microorganisms, but information concerning its antibacterial activity against other human pathogens, particularly multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates, is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the in vitro antibacterial activities of Salvadora persica L. extracts against 10 MDR bacterial clini...

This research investigated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by Hawai'i cancer patients. Thirty-six percent of patients used CAM, most commonly religious/spiritual therapy and herbal treatments. CAM use was linked with younger age, female gender, Catholic religion, and more education. More research is needed to inform decision-making.

BACKGROUND Cancer patients often use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), yet discussion with the oncologist is often missing and oncologists lack knowledge in CAM. PATIENTS AND METHODS In order to learn more about the attitude of professionals in oncology toward CAM, a survey was conducted on employees of a German university clinic using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS In tota...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use for pediatric asthma is increasing. The authors of previous studies linked CAM use with decreased adherence to conventional asthma medicines; however, these studies were limited by cross-sectional design. Our objective was to assess the effect of starting CAM on pediatric adherence with daily asthma medications. METHODS...

BACKGROUND Current estimates of pediatric complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use range from 10% to 15%. These estimates are derived from children sampled at health care facilities, with chronic conditions, and/or from countries other than the United States. OBJECTIVE To provide a population-based estimate of the prevalence of pediatric CAM use in the United States. DESIGN We used ...

Objective – A combined study exploring nurse lecturers’ understanding of spirit; the medical model; holism; placebo and energy medicine Results – There was evidence of a confused or vague idea of the nature of spirit and holism among nurse lecturers, with this possibly reflected in the nursing curriculum. There was some evidence of the disproportionate effect of the medical model within the tea...

BACKGROUND We developed and disseminated an educational DVD to introduce U.S. Veterans to independently-practiced complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques and encourage CAM experimentation. The project's goal was to determine optimal dissemination methods to facilitate implementation within the Veteran's Health Administration. METHODS In the first phase, the DVD was disseminate...

BACKGROUND In multiracial and multicultural Singapore, patients are exposed to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) from both eastern and western cultures. Although studies have shown that CAM usage is highly prevalent among cancer patients, no study on the prevalence of CAM in Singaporean adult cancer patients had been published. PATIENTS AND METHODS 403 adult cancer patients treated...