Association of complementary and integrative therapy use and symptoms among Turkish patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the correlations between the use of complementary and integrative therapies (CITs) and symptoms among Turkish patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The study was conducted with 1119 FMF patients who were registered to the social networking site for Behcet's and the FMF Patients Association (Befemder) in Turkey, between January 2018 and February 2019. Data were collected using an online survey, for which a three-part questionnaire was created using a Google form. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: It was determined that 53.2% of the individuals who participated in the research used various forms of CITs and that 32.8% used vitamin and mineral supplements (calcium, iron, and vitamin B12, C and D), 25.0% used nutritional supplements (fish oil and honey), and 24.6% used oral herbs (ginger, turmeric, green tea and rosemary) and mind-body methods (relaxation, respiration exercise and meditation). It was determined that the percentage of participants that used CITs was higher among women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.825; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.421-2.344), those with joint pain (OR = 1.385; 95% CI 1.047-1.832), those with difficulty breathing (OR = 1.323; 95% CI 1.031-1.697), those with gastrointestinal symptoms (OR = 1.405; 95% CI 1.089-1.814) and those who had a family member with FMF (OR = 1.437; 95% CI 1.115-1.851). CONCLUSION: More than half of the individuals used at least one type of CIT for symptom control.

The Effect of Aromatherapy Massage on Knee Pain and Functional Status in Participants with Osteoarthritis.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of aromatherapy massage on knee pain and functional status in subjects with osteoarthritis. The study was designed as a non-randomized interventional study. The study was carried out on patients who referred to the outpatient clinics of the Department of Orthopedics, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Bozok University Research and Application Hospital, and were diagnosed with osteoarthritis. A total number of 95 patients were included in the study, and of those, 33 were allocated to aromatherapy massage group, 30 were allocated to conventional massage group, and 32 were allocated to the control group. The study data were collected using the Patient Identification Form, visual analogue scale, the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index. Repeated measures analysis of variance test was used to analyze the outcomes in the aromatherapy, conventional massage and control groups, according to the weeks of follow-up. Bonferroni test was used for further analysis. Baseline mean visual analogue scale score and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index were not significantly different between the groups (p > .05). Visual analogue scale (rest-activity) scores and the scores in the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index in the aromatherapy massage group were lower, and the difference compared to the control group was statistically significant (p < .001). Aromatherapy massage performed in patients with osteoarthritis reduced knee pain scores, decreased morning stiffness, and improved physical functioning status. Thus, as long as specific training is provided for aromatherapy massage, aromatherapy can be recommended for routine use in physical therapy units, hospitals and homes.