Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults With Migraines/Severe Headaches
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 06/09/2011
Wells RE et al. – Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used more often among adults with migraines/severe headaches than those without. However, few report using CAM to specifically treat migraines/severe headaches. Mind–body therapies are used most frequently. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness and mechanisms of CAM treatments in adults with migraines/severe headaches.
Methods- Authors compared CAM use between adults with and without self–reported migraines/severe headaches using the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (n = 23,393), a national cross–sectional survey.
- Adults with migraines/severe headaches used CAM more frequently than those without (49.5% vs 33.9%, P < .0001); differences persisted after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [1.15, 1.45]).
- Mind–body therapies (eg, deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga) were used most commonly.
- More than 50% of adults with migraines/severe headaches reporting CAM use had not discussed it with their health care provider.
- Nonetheless, those with migraines/severe headaches used CAM more often than those without because of provider recommendation and because conventional treatments were perceived as ineffective or too costly.
- Correlates of CAM use among adults with migraines/severe headaches included anxiety, joint or low back pain, alcohol use, higher education, and living in the western USA.
- Only 4.5% of adults with migraines/severe headaches reported using CAM to specifically treat their migraines/severe headaches.
