The quality of online consumer health information at the intersection of complementary and alternative medicine and arthritis

Abstract Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent among patients living with arthritis. Such patients often seek information online, for the purpose of gaining a second opinion to their healthcare provider or even self-medication. Little is known about the quality of web-based consumer health information at the intersection of CAM and arthritis; thus, investigating the quality of websites containing this information was the purpose of this study. Methods: Four unique search terms were searched on Google across four English-speaking countries. We assessed the first 20 results of each search, including them if they contained CAM consumer health information for the treatment and/or management of arthritis. Eligible websites were assessed in duplicate using the DISCERN instrument, which consists of 16-items designed to assess quality. Results: Of total of 320 webpages, 239 were duplicates, and a total of 38 unique websites were deemed eligible and assessed using the DISCERN instrument. The mean summed DISCERN scores across all websites was 55.53 (SD = 9.37). The mean score of the overall quality of each website was 3.71 (SD = 0.63), thus the majority of websites are ranked as slightly above 'fair' quality. Conclusion: Eligible websites generally received scores better than 'moderate' in terms of overall quality. Several shortcomings included a lack of transparency surrounding references used and underreporting of risks associated with treatment options. These results suggest that health providers should be vigilant of the variable quality of information their patients may be accessing online and educate them on how to identify high quality resources.(AU)

Effect of craniosacral therapy on students' symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Complementary and alternative medicine methods [CAM] are now used for a wide range of disorders. Craniosacral therapy [CST] is one of CAM methods in which manual maneuvers with light forces are used for different aspects of health. In the present research, the effects of CST were studied for reducing symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]. Twenty-four children with ADHD were recruited as an available sample from Roshd Occupational Therapy Center and divided randomly into control and experimental groups. Before and after intervention, the Conner's Parents Rating Scale as well as child's symptom inventory-4th was filled out by parents. Both groups participated in occupational therapy programs as a routine intervention, while the experimental group received an additional CST for 15 sessions, twice a week. The collected data were analyzed as the covariance method by SPSS16. CST showed significant effects on increasing attention, reducing hyperactivity, oppositional defiant, conduct disorder, anxiety and embarrassment, social problems and psychosomatic problems of the participants. CST as a type of biomechanical correction can facilitate improvement in children with symptoms of ADHD

Foros de consulta nacional de la ley de medicina tradicional, terapias complementarias y alternativas en Nicaragua / Forums of national consultation of the law of traditional medicine, complementary and alternative therapies in Nicaragua

El documento ofrece los resultados obtenidos en los foros de consulta que se realizaron a nivel nacional con la iniciativa del proyecto "Ley de Medicina Tradicional, Terapias complementarias y Alternativas en Nicaragua" Así como la legislación y regulación de la medicina tradicional en los países seleccionados de América Latina y la ley de Medicina Tradicional aprobada por la Asamblea Nacional

Alternative medicine: old ideas with new interests?

The use of complementary or alternative medicine has greatly increased in developed countries during the last few years. In such countries, laws have been passed and regulations made to protect both the public and the practitioners. There are a growing number of research units in universities, journals, and associations of practitioners of complementary medicine. In Jamaica, too, there is increasing recognition, if not acceptance, of the popular interest in complementary medicine. In preparation for the next century we will need to address some of the legal, educational and scientific issues raised.