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Complementary and alternative medicine use among veterans with chronic noncancer pain

This study aims to describe prior use and willingness to try complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among veterans with chronic noncancer pain. CAM is becoming more widespread and is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal problems. The study examines factors associated with veteran use of CAM.

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Complementary and alternative medicine use among veterans with chronic noncancer pain

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  1. Complementary and alternative medicine use among veterans with chronic noncancer pain Lauren M. Denneson, PhD; Kathryn Corson, PhD; Steven K. Dobscha, MD

  2. Study Aim • Describe prior use and willingness to try complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among veterans with chronic noncancer pain. • Relevance • CAM is becoming more widespread and is most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal problems (back and neck pain, joint pain, arthritis, etc.). • Little is known about factors associated with veteran use of or level of interest in using CAM.

  3. Methods • Participants in chronic pain study from 5 VA primary care clinics self-reported prior use and willingness to try chiropractic care, massage therapy, herbal medicines, and acupuncture. • Prior CAM users and nonusers were compared on: • Demographic characteristics. • Pain-related clinical characteristics. • Disease burden. • Treatment satisfaction.

  4. Results • Majority of veterans reported prior use of at least one CAM modality, and nearly all were willing to try CAM treatment for pain. • Most preferred: Massage therapy.   • Least preferred: Chiropractic care. • Prior CAM users (vs nonusers): • Less likely to have service-connected disabilities. • Reported having spent larger percentage of lives in pain. • Did not differ in ratings of treatment satisfaction or pain treatment effectiveness.

  5. Conclusions • Few differences found between veterans who had and had not tried CAM, suggesting CAM may have broad appeal among veterans with chronic pain. • Addition of massage therapy as treatment option would be popular among veterans with chronic pain. • Clinicians should query veteran patients about CAM to ensure compatibility with concurrent treatments.

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