Neurology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Correspondence:
Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Correspondence are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Verhoef, M. J.
Right arrow Articles by Forsyth, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Verhoef, M. J.
Right arrow Articles by Forsyth, P.
Neurology 1999;52:617
© 1999 American Academy of Neurology
Articles

Alternative therapy use in neurologic diseases

Use in brain tumor patients

Marja J. Verhoef, PhD, Neil Hagen, MD, FRCPC, Guy Pelletier, PhD and Peter Forsyth, MD, FRCPC

From the Department of Community Health Sciences (Dr. Verhoef) and the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Medicine (Drs. Hagen and Forsyth), The University of Calgary; and Tom Baker Cancer Center (Drs. Hagen, Pelletier, and Forsyth), Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Marja J. Verhoef, Department of Community Health Sciences, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1 Canada; mverhoef{at}ucalgary.ca

BACKGROUND: The extent of alternative therapy use in brain tumor patients is unknown, but it may be frequent and seems important to those who use it.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize alternative therapy use in brain tumor patients.

METHODS: Prospective questionnaire-based survey of 167 brain tumor patients who attended a cancer center in Southern Alberta. Physicians completed forms describing clinical information such as disease status.

RESULTS: The response rate was 91% (167/184). Twenty-four percent of patients used alternative therapies and often more than one therapy at the same time. Motivation to use these therapies was influenced by the desire for patient-focused treatment and a perceived need to take charge. Alternative therapy users were younger (p = 0.04) and more likely to be on sick or disability leave (p = 0.02), to come in for repeat visits (p = 0.05), and to have received conventional treatments (p = 0.01). Users tended to have lower quality of life with respect to physical well-being, functional well-being, and a specific brain tumor subscale. Clinical variables, such as disease status, tumor type, and Karnofsky Performance Score, were not related to alternative therapy use. Major changes in number and types of alternative therapy use occurred during the study period. No major side effects or tumor responses were seen with alternative therapies.

CONCLUSIONS: Alternative therapy use in brain tumor patients is common and may reflect unmet patient needs with respect to their cancer care within the current model of health care delivery.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Integr Cancer TherHome page
M. J. Verhoef, L. G. Balneaves, H. S. Boon, and A. Vroegindewey
Reasons for and Characteristics Associated With Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adult Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review
Integr Cancer Ther, December 1, 2005; 4(4): 274 - 286.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Palliat MedHome page
I. Correa-Velez, A. Clavarino, A. G Barnett, and H. Eastwood
Use of complementary and alternative medicine and quality of life: changes at the end of life
Palliative Medicine, December 1, 2003; 17(8): 695 - 703.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Mult SclerHome page
R. A. Marrie, O. Hadjimichael, and T. Vollmer
Predictors of alternative medicine use by multiple sclerosis patients
Multiple Sclerosis, October 1, 2003; 9(5): 461 - 466.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Integr Cancer TherHome page
J. Eng, D. Ramsum, M. Verhoef, E. Guns, J. Davison, and R. Gallagher
A Population-Based Survey of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Men Recently Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
Integr Cancer Ther, September 1, 2003; 2(3): 212 - 216.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Postgrad. Med. J.Home page
P Ferry, M Johnson, and P Wallis
Use of complementary therapies and non-prescribed medication in patients with Parkinson's disease
Postgrad. Med. J., October 1, 2002; 78(924): 612 - 614.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Nutr.Home page
M. A. Richardson
Biopharmacologic and Herbal Therapies for Cancer: Research Update from NCCAM
J. Nutr., November 1, 2001; 131(11): 3037S - 3040.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NeurologyHome page
P. R. Rajendran, R. E. Thompson, and S. G. Reich
The use of alternative therapies by patients with Parkinson's disease
Neurology, September 11, 2001; 57(5): 790 - 794.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JCOHome page
H. J. Burstein
Discussing Complementary Therapies With Cancer Patients: What Should We Be Talking About?
J. Clin. Oncol., July 1, 2000; 18(13): 2501 - 2504.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JCOHome page
M. A. Richardson, T. Sanders, J. L. Palmer, A. Greisinger, and S. E. Singletary
Complementary/Alternative Medicine Use in a Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Implications for Oncology
J. Clin. Oncol., July 1, 2000; 18(13): 2505 - 2514.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NEJMHome page
J. C. Holland
Use of Alternative Medicine -- A Marker for Distress?
N. Engl. J. Med., June 3, 1999; 340(22): 1757 - 1759.
[Full Text]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1999 by AAN Enterprises, Inc.