Abstract
The objective was to investigate characteristics of patients using alternative therapies for asthma, reasons for its use and its association with conventional medicine use. Over a period of 14 months, 32 (18%) of 187 patients completing a survey reported using alternative therapies to treat asthma. The most common alternative therapy used was exercise/massage; the least popular was homeopathy. The highest users were women (59%), ages 41-50 (31%), White ethnicity (63%), higher education (56%), and higher annual household income (84%). The major reasons for usage were having more control of their health, personal beliefs, and concern over side effects of conventional medication. It is concluded that the rate of alternative therapy use in patients with asthma in central New Jersey was lower than in some other studies. It is important for physicians to take these therapies into account to develop a health care plan consistent with patients’ beliefs and expectations.
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