RECENT RESEARCH
alternative medicine ( CAM ) and its impact on antiepileptic drug ( AED ) adherence among patients with epilepsy .
Methods : A cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 epilepsy patients , aged 18 years or older that did not have any physical or psychiatric illness . A patient-administered questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge , attitude towards , practice , and perceived effectiveness ( KAPP ) of CAM . Established adherence assessment tools were used to determine patient medication adherence .
Results : The prevalence of CAM usage was found to be at 58 %. CAM was used more frequently by males ( n = 32 , 60.4 %) than by females ( n = 26 , 55.3 %; p = 0.609 ). The most commonly used CAM included vitamins and minerals ( 36 %), ginseng ( 16 %), antioxidants ( 15 %), and acupuncture ( 12 %). A significant number of patients had low knowledge of ( 59 %) and a positive attitude ( 54 %) toward complementary and alternative medicine . Main reasons for using CAM were a lower price , better availability , and inadequate seizure control by AEDs . About 43 % of the patients who used CAM informed their doctor . Prevalence of non-adherence to AED therapy was found to be 68 %. A significant association was found between non-adherence and CAM usage ( p < 0.01 ).
Conclusion : A high prevalence of CAM usage and non-adherence to AEDs among epilepsy patients was identified . CAM usage was associated with a nonadherence to AED therapy . This study highlights the need to explore CAM usage with patients before making clinical decisions to achieve the best outcomes from AED therapy .
Lifestyle medicine
Ching SM , Mokshashri NR , Kannan MM . et al .
Effects of qigong on systolic and diastolic blood pressure lowering : a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article no . 8 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-020-03172-3
Background : The benefits of qigong for systolic and diastolic blood pressure ( BP ) reduction have been noted in previously published systematic reviews ; however , the data on its effectiveness has been at best scarce . We aimed to update the evidence of qigong on blood pressure reduction after taking into consideration the risks of random error and reliability of data in the cumulative meta-analysis using trial sequential analysis ( TSA ).
Methods : Included trials were assessed using Cochrane risk of bias instrument . We performed meta-analysis with random-effects model and random errors were evaluated with TSA . We performed the search for the eligible randomized controlled trial ( RCT ) through Medline , Cinahl , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and also PubMed .
Results : A total of 370 subjects sourced from seven eligible RCTs were entered into the analysis . The pooled results demonstrated the significant reduction with the use of qigong of the systolic blood pressure [ weighted mean difference ( WMD ), − 10.66 mmHg ( 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) = − 17.69 , -3.62 , p < 0.001 ] and diastolic BP [ WMD , − 6.76 mmHg , 95 % CI = − 12.22 , − 1.30 , p < 0.001 ] as compared to the control group .
Conclusions : Significant reductions in BP is seen with the use of qigong as compared with the control group , suggesting that qigong may be used as a complementary therapy in the somewhat complicated management of hypertension .
Steel A , Tiveron S , Reid R . et al .
Do women who consult with naturopaths or herbalists have a healthy lifestyle ? A secondary analysis of the Australian longitudinal study on women ’ s health . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 20 , Article no . 349 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-020-03153-6
Background : Australians report consulting with a naturopaths or herbalists to improve their wellbeing , yet little is known about the associations between these consultations and the patients ’ health behaviours . This crosssectional study aimed to examine the relationship between health behaviour and consultations with naturopaths or herbalists in three age cohorts of Australian women .
Methods : Women aged 19 – 25 years , 31 – 36 years , and 62 – 67 years from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women ’ s Health ( ALSWH ) were surveyed regarding smoking , alcohol or drug use , physical activity and dietary behaviour ; and whether they consulted with naturopath / herbalists in the last 12 months . Associations were analysed using multivariable logistic regression .
Results : A total of 9151 ( 19 – 25 years ), 8200 ( 31 – 36 years ) and 11,344 ( 62 – 67 years ) women were included in the analysis . Between 7.3 and 11.9 % of women reported to have consulted with naturopaths / herbalists in the last 12 months . Women of all cohorts consulting with naturopath / herbalist were less likely to smoke ( 19-25 yrs .: Odds Ratio [ OR ] 0.61 ; 31 – 36 years : OR 0.58 ; 62 – 67 years : OR 0.29 ), more likely to report at least moderate levels of physical activity ( 19-25 yrs .: OR 1.41 ; 31 – 36 years : OR 1.34 ; 62 – 67 years : OR 1.34 ), and the use of vegetarian diets ( 19-25 yrs .: OR 1.40 ; 31 – 36 years : OR 1.77 ; 62 – 67 years : OR 2.28 ), compared to women not consulting with naturopaths / herbalists . Women consulting with naturopaths / herbalists however were also more likely to have used marijuana ( 19-25 yrs .: OR 1.18 ; 31 – 36 years : OR 1.42 ), or illicit drugs in the last 12 months ( 19-25 yrs .: OR 1.24 ; 31 – 36 years : OR 1.40 ).
Conclusions : Consultations with a naturopath or herbalist are associated with positive health behaviours that are protective of internationally important non-communicable diseases . Psychoactive drug use is also reported among women visiting a naturopath or herbalist . Further research is needed to understand the role naturopaths play in advising patients with regards to health and non-healthy behaviours .
48 | vol27 | no1 | JATMS