Beliefs About Use of Complementary Health Approaches for Parkinson's Disease.
Ju Young Shin, Ryan T Pohlig, Barbara Habermann
PMID 28786886WHAT IT FOUND
People with Parkinson's disease using complementary health approaches believed these methods were effective for symptom control and necessary for general health.
They reported low concern about side effects or drug interactions but expressed willingness to disclose their use to healthcare professionals.
Key findings
01Participants rated complementary health approaches as somewhat effective for controlling motor and non-motor Parkinson's symptoms and necessary for general health.
02Participants disagreed that complementary health approaches cause side effects or interact with prescription medications, despite using them alongside standard care.
03Participants were willing to share their use of complementary health approaches with doctors and nurses.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (n = 70), homogeneous (92.9% Caucasian, 88.6% married), and drawn from a specific sub-group of a larger study, limiting generalizability. Findings rely on self-report, which is subject to recall bias and social desirability. The survey items were developed by the researchers and not validated for this specific purpose in prior literature, potentially affecting reliability. Participants were taking conventional medications, making it impossible to isolate the perceived effectiveness of complementary health approaches from standard care. The study did not specify which complementary approaches participants associated with potential side effects, leading to generalized safety beliefs.
Declared interests
The text does not report specific funding sources or conflicts of interest declarations beyond stating IRB approval and informed consent.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the participants' belief in the effectiveness of complementary health approaches as evidence that these treatments work. The study measured subjective beliefs in a group already taking medication, so the reported 'effectiveness' reflects patient perception rather than clinical outcome.