Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jin Young Yoon, Seok-Jae Ko, Jae-Woo Park, Jae Myung Cha
Summary: Many Asian patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) are unsatisfied with conventional medical treatment and are seeking complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. However, there is limited research on CAM for FD specifically in an Asian context. Traditional herbal formulas, STW-5, peppermint and caraway, FDgard, black seed oil, and psychotherapy have been used in FD patients, but the evidence supporting their effectiveness is weak. Well-planned, large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of CAM in treating FD, especially in Asian countries.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Benedicte Marie Finger, Annika Triller, Ashley M. Bourke, Gert Jan Lammers, Christian Veauthier, Merve Yildizli, Ulf Kallweit
Summary: This study investigated the frequency and characteristics of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in German narcolepsy patients. 15% of patients were using CAM at the time of the survey, and an additional 18% reported past use. The most commonly used CAM treatments were vitamins/trace elements, homeopathy, and meditation. CAM users were more likely to experience side effects from medication and have low adherence to pharmacological treatment.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hongmin Chu, Seunghwan Moon, Jeongsu Park, Seongjun Bak, Youme Ko, Bo-Young Youn
Summary: The development of artificial intelligence in complementary and alternative medicine has been rapidly advancing. This systematic scoping review identified three main categories of AI usage in CAM, including acupuncture treatment, tongue and lip diagnoses, and herbal medicine. Future research should focus on verifying and validating these AI models through large-scale clinical trials.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat, Mehdi Pasalar, Hassan Joulaei, Vira Ameli, Seyed Taghi Heydari, Ali Mirzazadeh, Mohammad Hashem Hashempur
Summary: This study examines the frequency and reasons behind the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among people living with HIV in Shiraz, Iran. The results show that the majority of participants use CAM, and there is no significant difference in quality of life between those who use CAM and those who do not.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yik-Ling Chew, Mei-Ann Khor, Zhao Xu, Sue-Kei Lee, Jing-Wen Keng, Sze-Huey Sang, Gabriel Akyirem Akowuah, Khang Wen Goh, Kai Bin Liew, Long Chiau Ming
Summary: Traditional medicine plays a critical role in disease treatment and management. Four medicinal herbs commonly used as complementary medicine for atopic dermatitis were reviewed, and their traditional uses and phytochemical content were discussed. These herbs have various pharmacological and biological activities relevant to AD management, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound healing effects.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Adamasco Cupisti, Domenico Giannese, Claudia D'Alessandro, Alessia Benedetti, Vincenzo Panichi, Carlo Alfieri, Giuseppe Castellano, Piergiorgio Messa
Summary: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including herbal remedies, probiotics, and vitamins, is often used in the treatment of kidney stone patients. However, most dietary supplements claiming to treat or prevent kidney stones lack scientific evidence. Clinicians should inform patients that the effects of these supplements are largely unknown and that absence of evidence does not mean lack of potential harm. Despite the popularity of CAM products among kidney stone patients, the lack of knowledge in this field prevents their recommendation in daily clinical practice, with only a weak suggestion for their use being reasonable.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Carlos Gracida-Osorno, Sandra Luz Jimenez-Martinez, Andres Humberto Uc-Cachon, Gloria Maria Molina-Salinas
Summary: This study investigated the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). The results showed that a majority of patients used CAM to improve their well-being, with herbal medicine being the most commonly used type, particularly chamomile. However, only 31.8% of users informed their physicians, highlighting the need for awareness of potential drug interactions and toxicity risks.
Review
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Rebecca Buettner, Melanie Schwermer, Thomas Ostermann, Alfred Laengler, Tycho Zuzak
Summary: Acute tonsillitis in childhood is a common viral disease that does not require antibiotic treatment. Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine therapies may be effective in symptomatic treatment. However, more clinical trials are needed to determine their effectiveness.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jussi Valtonen, Ville-Juhani Ilmarinen, Jan-Erik Lonnqvist
Summary: The study found that individual political orientation is associated with the use of conventional medicine (CM) and complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). People with an anti-corruption political orientation are less likely to use CM but more likely to use CAM. People with a Green/alternative/libertarian political orientation are more likely to use CAM. Poor health status moderates the association between anti-corruption political orientation and CM use, but not between political orientation and CAM use.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Nazi Nejat, Amir Rahbarian, Fatemeh Mehrabi, Fatemeh Rafiei
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among cancer patients in Iran. The findings showed that 44.3% of the 320 participants were using CAM. Most patients used CAM to improve their physical condition and used it alongside conventional medical treatments. Common CAM treatments included visiting holy places, practicing yoga, engaging in prayer therapy, and using medicinal plants and special diets.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Panagiotis Kerezoudis, Evangelia N. Kerezoudi, Abdurehman Choudhry, Benjamin T. Himes, Ian F. Parney
Summary: Many patients and caregivers of glioma seek CAM methods to comfort themselves and cope with cancer medication side effects. This study summarizes the existing evidence on the safety and efficacy of CAM treatments for gliomas.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mahlagha Dehghan, Mahla Mohebi Rad, Leyla Ahmadi Lari, Behnam Ghorbani-nejad, Milad Mohebi-Rad
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between complementary and alternative medicine and health literacy in chronically ill outpatient cases. The results showed a significant and direct relationship between health literacy and the use of complementary and alternative medicine. Health education and promotion programs may be useful for improving health literacy in the community.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Mahlagha Dehghan, Alireza Ghanbari, Fatemeh Ghaedi Heidari, Parvin Mangolian Shahrbabaki, Mohammad Ali Zakeri
Summary: This study investigated the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran. The results showed that a majority of participants used at least one type of CAM, with dietary supplements, prayer, and herbal medicines being the most commonly used. CAMs were mainly used for prevention of transmission and reducing anxiety.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
Zahra Zhu, Daniela Dluzynski, Nouran Hammad, Deepika Pugalenthi, Sarah A. Walser, Rea Mittal, Debopam Samanta, Melanie L. Brown, Ali A. Asadi-Pooya, Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, Alberto Spalice, Martina Capponi, Alain Lekoubou, Ashutosh Kumar, Sita Paudel, Paul R. Carney, Gayatra Mainali, Sunil Naik
Summary: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used in pediatric epilepsy, including supplements, cannabis products, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, dietary therapy, massage therapy, and prayer. Although families often perceive CAM as effective, there is limited objective evidence. Potential risks include the use of herbal remedies and/or unregulated, contaminated, or unpurified products. Studies also highlight inadequate patient-physician discussions regarding CAM.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Prakash Monika, Mathikere Naganna Chandraprabha, Annapoorni Rangarajan, P. Veena Waiker, Kotamballi N. Chidambara Murthy
Summary: Wound healing is a complicated biological process that is influenced by an individual's health status and other factors. Current treatment options for chronic wounds are limited, and the use of complementary and alternative medicine in wound management is still being explored.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)