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Article
Complementary and alternative medicine use in children with asthma.
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
  • Odion Kalaci, Western University
  • Sandra Giangioppo, Western University
  • Garvin Leung
  • Arun Radhakrishnan
  • Erin Fleischer, London Health Sciences Centre
  • Brian Lyttle, Western University
  • April Price, Western University
  • Dhenuka Radhakrishnan, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2019
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.02.017
Disciplines
Abstract

PURPOSE:
To estimate the overall prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine and specific modalities used among children with asthma, identify predictors of use, and perceived positive or negative effects of therapies.

RESULTS:
Of the 161 children enrolled in the study, 76.4% had ever used complementary and alternative medicine. Humidifiers, air purifiers, and multivitamins were the most common modalities used. Complementary and alternative medicine use in children was associated with family use, younger child age, and disease severity, indicated by recent asthma exacerbation. The majority of participants perceived benefit from their complementary and alternative medicine use, with very few reporting negative side effects. Only 36.7% of participants reported discussing their complementary and alternative medicine use with the asthma clinic healthcare team.

CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use in children with asthma is high, with the majority of families perceiving benefit from its use. This study offers clinicians a reference to inform families regarding the subjective helpfulness of various types of complementary and alternative medicine modalities that can facilitate the dialogue between health care professionals and families interested in complementary and alternative medicine use.

Citation Information
Odion Kalaci, Sandra Giangioppo, Garvin Leung, Arun Radhakrishnan, et al.. "Complementary and alternative medicine use in children with asthma." Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice Vol. 35 (2019) p. 272 - 277
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sandra-giangioppo/1/