Coping behavior in multiple sclerosis—complementary and alternative medicine: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

SummaryMain ProblemTreatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS) have enlarged tremendously over the last years. Nonetheless, lots of patients look for alternative treatment options. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread in MS, however, its scientific investigation is limited so far. The aim of the study is to analyse clinical and demographical differences of MS patients in dependency of their CAM utilization as coping strategy.MethodsA total of 254 patients with a clinically definite MS were examined in a semistructured interview. Additional standardized questionnaires were used to measure different aspects of coping with illness. All patients underwent neurological examination.ResultsAbout 206 of all enrolled patients are CAM users (81.1%). They have a longer disease duration (8.3 years vs 7.3 years, P = 0.028) and show higher disability (median EDSS 4.0 vs 2.0, P < 0.001) than nonusers. CAM users differed significantly from nonusers in their coping behavior (P = 0.035). Users are brooding more heavily over the disease, looking for more information about MS, and are looking for a sense of their disease in religion more often than nonusers. CAM users are at a higher risk of depression. Almost two‐thirds of CAM users (57.6%) reported positive effects on the well‐being of their state of health.ConclusionCoping behavior differs significantly between CAM users and nonusers. CAM utilization is associated with higher disability and depression. More than 80% of our cohort has used alternative or complementary methods. CAM utilization may mirror unmet needs in the treatment of MS.

Self-Management Guidelines: Effect on Knowledge, Fatigue, Self-Efficacy and Medications Adherence among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

“…Regarding Correlation among selfmanagement variables of the patients under the study through Pre, Post1 &Post2 phases, showed positive statistically significant correlation regarding all measured variables of self-management. This finding is consistent with (Rommer et al, 2018) in his study about Coping behavior among patients, and clarified that MS causes multiple stressors for patients, in which all required different methods of coping, influenced by the level of impairment, and tackling more intensively with their disease.…”

Fatigue and Self-management among Multiple Sclerosis Patients

“…In regard to the correlation between health maintenance behavior and overall fatigue among MS patients, there was a statistically significant negative correlation with p-value (.007). This finding in consistent with [63] who revealed that MS causes multiple stressors for patients, in which all require different methods of coping, influenced by the level of impairment, and tackling more intensively with their disease, [64] added that adaptive coping strategies in MS is beneficial for psychosocial adjustment and management of disease progression. Furthermore [65] mentioned that demonstrating a desirable individual performance such as (modulation of activities, appropriate environments, having adequate knowledge about the disease, good , seeking for further information about MS) are all expressed that patients can successfully cope with disease through self-management behaviors.…”

Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Belladonna

“…Belladonna is traditionally used for the treatment of several conditions, including cold and hay fever, headache, inflammation, motion sickness, and peptic ulcers, and to prevent bronchial spasms in whooping cough and asthma. Belladonna is also effective in treating rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia, and psychiatric disorders. , The plant has also been shown to possess significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities, especially by those fractions that are extracted using methanol . Atropine is extensively used as an antispasmodic agent and an analgesic for gastrointestinal spasms and biliary and hepatic colic.…”

“…Belladonna is also effective in treating rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia, and psychiatric disorders. 94,95 The plant has also been shown to possess significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities, especially by those fractions that are extracted using methanol. 96 Atropine is extensively used as an antispasmodic agent and an analgesic for gastrointestinal spasms and biliary and hepatic colic.…”