Study of alternative vs conventional treatment for MS

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Complementary and alternative medicine for multiple sclerosis

Schwarz S , Knorr C , Geiger H , Flachenecker P .   Mult Scler. 2008

Sep;14(8):1113-9. Epub 2008 Jul 16.

Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg , J 5, Mannheim

68159 , Germany . st_schwarz@...

We analyzed characteristics, motivation, and effectiveness of complementary and

alternative medicine in a large sample of people with multiple sclerosis. A

53-item survey was mailed to the members of the German Multiple Sclerosis

Society, chapter of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Surveys of 1573 patients (48.5 +/- 11.7

years, 74% women, duration of illness 18.1 +/- 10.5 years) were analyzed. In

comparison with conventional medicine, more patients displayed a positive

attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine (44% vs 38%, P < 0.05),

with 70% reporting lifetime use of at least one method. Among a wide variety of

complementary and alternative medicine, diet modification (41%), Omega-3 fatty

acids (37%), removal of amalgam fillings (28%), vitamins E (28%), B (36%), and C

(28%), homeopathy (26%), and selenium (24%) were cited most frequently. Most

respondents (69%) were satisfied with the effects of complementary and

alternative medicine. Use of complementary and alternative medicine was

associated with religiosity, functional independence, female sex, white-collar

job, and higher education (P < 0.05). Compared with conventional therapies,

complementary and alternative medicine rarely showed unwanted side effects (9%

vs 59%, P < 0.00001). A total of 52% stated that the initial consultation with

their physician lasted less than 15 min. To conclude, main reasons for the use

of complementary and alternative medicine include the high rate of side effects

and low levels of satisfaction with conventional treatments and brief

patients/physicians contacts.