Self-Management of Arthritis Symptoms by Complementary and Alternative Medicine Movement Therapies.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the association between current use of different complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) movement therapies (MTs) and arthritis symptoms (pain, fatigue, difficulty with physical function, and feelings of helplessness). METHODS: By using a cross-sectional design, 2140 participants with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms completed a survey about CAM use. Adjusted means for arthritis symptoms were reported by current use of CAM MTs and current use of yoga. RESULTS: Approximately 19% (n = 398) of the total respondents were "currently using" some form of MT. Of those reporting current use, 89.2% of the participants reported current use of yoga. After adjustment for a variety of characteristics, relative to participants who reported no current CAM MT use, participants with current use of CAM MT had significantly increased pain symptoms and a higher level of perceived helplessness. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive study indicates that patients with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms selecting CAM MT for self-management may be doing so because of more symptom involvement, specifically more pain and feelings of helplessness. Because of its increasing use, yoga warrants special attention by practitioners as a nonpharmacologic self-management therapy for arthritis symptoms.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies suggest that people with arthritis have high rates of using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches for managing their arthritis, in addition to conventional treatments such as prescription medications. However, little is known about the use of CAM by diagnosis, or which forms of CAM are most frequently used by people with arthritis. This study was designed to provide detailed information about use of CAM for symptoms associated with arthritis in patients followed in primary care and specialty clinics in North Carolina. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, we drew our sample from primary care (n = 1,077) and specialist (n = 1,063) physician offices. Summary statistics were used to calculate differences within and between diagnostic groups, practice settings, and other characteristics. Logistic regression models clustered at the site level were used to determine the effect of patient characteristics on ever and current use of 9 CAM categories and an overall category of "any use." RESULTS: Most of the participants followed by specialists (90.5%) and a slightly smaller percentage of those in the primary care sample (82.8%) had tried at least 1 complementary therapy for arthritis symptoms. Participants with fibromyalgia used complementary therapies more often than those with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or chronic joint symptoms. More than 50% of patients in both samples used over-the-counter topical pain relievers, more than 25% used meditation or drew on religious or spiritual beliefs, and more than 19% used a chiropractor. Women and participants with higher levels of education were more likely to report current use of alternative therapies. CONCLUSION: Most arthritis patients in both primary care and specialty settings have used CAM for their arthritis symptoms. Health care providers (especially musculoskeletal specialists) should discuss these therapies with all arthritis patients.