The perceived benefit and satisfaction from conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in people with multiple sclerosis

Objective: To describe the perceived benefit and satisfaction from complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional therapies and providers in MS. Design: Cross-sectional mailed survey. Setting: One thousand nine hundred and thirteen respondents who were members of the Oregon Chapter of the National MS Society. Results: The benefit rating of both conventional therapies and providers was significantly higher than for CAM therapies and providers (p < 0.001 and <0.001). When stratifying satisfaction rating by MS disease severity, significant differences were found between CAM providers and neurologists, favoring CAM providers in those with moderate disease severity (p = 0.014) and favoring neurologists in those with severe disease severity (p = 0.032). CAM providers were rated significantly higher than MDs on the following: listening skills (p < 0.001), care and concern (p < 0.001), and patient empowerment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although MS patients report significant benefit from conventional therapies and providers; they may seek CAM providers for emotional support. The impact of emotional support gained from providers on quality of life in MS warrant further investigation.