Pattern and Frequency of Use of Complementary and
Alternative Medicine Among Patients with Epilepsy
in the Midwestern United States

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Epilepsy & Behavior 2007 (Jun); 10 (4): 576–582

Kore Liow, Elizabeth Ablah, John C. Nguyen, Toni Sadler, Deborah Wolfe,
Ky-Dieu Tran, Lisa Guo and Tina Hoang

Via Christi Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and Neurophysiology Laboratory,
Wichita, KS, USA;
University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita,
1010 North Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214-3199, USA

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Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is recognized to be commonly used by patients, yet there have been few studies regarding the scope of CAM use by patients with epilepsy. This study assessed usage and perceptions of CAM by patients with epilepsy in the midwest of the United States. A 25-item survey was administered to adult patients with epilepsy, and data were collected from 228 patients. The survey collected demographics, specific CAM usage, adverse effects of CAM therapy, and perceptions of the effectiveness of CAM. Thirty-nine percent reported using CAM; 25% reported using CAM specifically for their epilepsy. Prayer/spirituality was the most commonly used form of CAM (46%), followed by "mega" vitamins (25%), chiropractic care (24%), and stress management (16%). CAM use is common among midwestern patients with epilepsy, although the pattern of use may be slightly different than in other regions of the United States and elsewhere.

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