American researchers assessed CAM use among American stroke survivors.¹ They compared CAM use in adults with and without stroke who participated in the most comprehensive national survey on CAM use to date, the 2002 National Health Interview Survey.² Independent predictors of CAM use among stroke survivors were assessed with logistic regression. Of 30 992 adults, 2.6% indicated a history of stroke, with 46% of these stroke survivors reporting CAM use. Acupuncture was the only CAM therapy used more frequently in stroke survivors. In multivariable analyses among stroke survivors, CAM use was more frequent among those who reported delays in seeking medical care due to cost or those with recent neck pain, and less frequent among those >65 years, non-Hispanic Blacks, and those with less than high school education.

References

1. Shah SH, Engelhardt R, Ovbiagele B. Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use among United States stroke survivors. J Neurol Sci 2008; 271: 180–5.
2. <ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Dataset_Documentation/NHIS/2002/srvydesc.pdf>, accessed August 29, 2008;