Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by People with Chronic Fatigue
Author Information
Author(s): James F. Jones, Elizabeth M. Maloney, Roumiana S. Boneva, Ann-Britt Jones, William C. Reeves
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Do CFS-like and otherwise fatigued subjects use CAM and, if so, is it used more or less frequently than non-fatigued persons?
Conclusion
Utilization of CAM was common in fatiguing illnesses, largely due to underlying conditions and poor health.
Supporting Evidence
- 77% of participants reported using some CAM therapy in the past year.
- Fatigued subjects were more likely to use body-based therapies than non-fatigued participants.
- Mind-body therapy was the most frequently used CAM across all groups.
Takeaway
Many people with chronic fatigue use alternative therapies to feel better, especially if they are not feeling well physically or mentally.
Methodology
A random-digit dialing survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of CFS-like illness and CAM use among fatigued and non-fatigued individuals.
Potential Biases
Potential under-representation of low-income and transient populations due to the sampling method.
Limitations
The study relied on telephone interviews and did not include in-person assessments or laboratory tests to confirm diagnoses.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 440 fatigued individuals and 444 non-fatigued individuals, with a mix of ages, sexes, and races.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p-trend = 0.003
Confidence Interval
CI = 1.32, 4.82
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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