Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults With Migraines/Severe Headaches

Abstract

Objective Our objective was to determine patterns, reasons for, and correlates of complementary and alternative medicine use by United States adults with migraines/severe headaches. Background While many patients with chronic conditions use complementary and alternative medicine, little is known about complementary and alternative medicine use by adults with migraines/severe headaches. Methods We compared complementary and alternative medicine use between adults with and without self-reported migraines/severe headaches using the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (n=23,393), a national cross-sectional survey. Results Adults with migraines/severe headaches used complementary and alternative medicine more frequently than those without (49.5% vs. 33.9%, p<0.0001); differences persisted after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio=1.29, 95% confidence interval [1.15, 1.45]). Mind-body therapies (e.g. deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga) were used most commonly. More than 50% of adults with migraines/severe headaches reporting complementary and alternative medicine use had not discussed it with their health care provider. Nonetheless, those with migraines/severe headaches used complementary and alternative medicine more often than those without because of provider recommendation and because conventional treatments were perceived as ineffective or too costly. Correlates of complementary and alternative medicine use among adults with migraines/severe headaches included anxiety, joint or low back pain, alcohol use, higher education, and living in the western United States. Only 4.5% of adults with migraines/severe headaches reported using complementary and alternative medicine to specifically treat their migraines/severe headaches. Conclusions Complementary and alternative medicine is used more often among adults with migraines/severe headaches than those without. However, few report using complementary and alternative medicine to specifically treat migraines/severe headaches. Mind-body therapies are used most frequently. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness and mechanisms of complementary and alternative medicine treatments in adults with migraines/severe headaches.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Headache and Migraine: A Critical Review of the Literature

“…In contrast, recent findings of a large national health survey indicate that only a small proportion of people with migraines and severe headaches use CAM specifically for the treatment of their headache conditions. 39 The co-existence of a high CAM usage with the fact that a substantial proportion of users consider CAM ineffective in treating their headache symptoms is also interesting. [44][45][46] In short, the role of CAM in treating headache and migraine symptoms or helping patients to cope with their distress in their everyday lives remains unclear.…”

“…For instance, an analysis of national health survey data identified 50% of US adults with migraines or severe headaches as using at least one CAM over the past 12 month period. 39 A similar analysis in Canada discovered that 19%…”

“…The findings of a large national representative survey suggested that mind-body therapies such as meditation, breathing exercise and yoga were the most common CAM used by US respondents with migraines or severe headaches. 39 There is evidence that a majority of CAM users seek CAM concurrent with (ranged from 7% to 30%) or following (ranged from 64% to 93%) a GP visit. 42 44-46 In contrast, only a small proportion of respondents (ranging from 5% to 19%) used CAM before they visited a doctor.…”

“…42 44-46 In line with findings from studies of general CAM users, 32 headache and migraine patients utilising CAM do not commonly inform their doctor or nurse about such CAM use. Wells et al 39 discovered that although CAM users with migraine or headache had a higher disclosure rate than those without migraine or headache, less than half (47%) discuss their CAM use with their conventional healthcare provider(s). The three surveys conducted in Italy by…”

Latin American consensus on guidelines for chronic migraine treatment

“…Non-pharmacologic measures and complementary therapies most used by patients, despite solid evidences [93][94][95][96] , include: valuing the beginning of treatment with change of activities, such as interruption of general activities for one week; yoga; meditation; relaxation; physical therapies of relaxation; massage; thermotherapy; hygiene of sleep; regular and healthy nutrition habits; dietary restriction specific for patients with food as an eliciting factor; limitation to caffeine consumption; light to moderate aerobic activity regularly made; stress handling; behavioral cognitive therapy; pleasant activities and thoughts; acupuncture; and biofeedback.…”