Table 3.
Reasons for Using CAMs as Described in MS Patients' Comments
| Primary reason | Frequency (%) | Other keywords in comments |
|---|---|---|
| Help MS or MS symptoms | 50 (30.3% | Spasticity (6), Numbness/Tingling (2), Back problems (2), MS diagnosis issues (2), Walking (2), Fatigue, Pain |
| Back Problems | 39 (23.6%) | Pain (5), Disks (2), Legs, Injuries, Hip, Prevention, Scoliosis |
| Pain | 19 (11.5%) | Migraines (2), Disks, Accident, Spasticity |
| Health | 12 (7.27%) | Headaches |
| Relaxation or stress relief | 11 (6.67%) | Flexibility, Health, Divorce |
| Other disease or conditions | 10 (6.06%) | Cancer, Arthritis, RLS, Yeast infection, Pregnancy, Quit smoking (2) |
| Neck Problems | 8 (4.85%) | Pain, Help MS |
| Alternative therapy | 6 (3.64%) | Massage, Chelation, Natural option (2) |
| Curious | 5 (3.03%) | Recommended, See how it works, Try it |
| Car Accident | 2 (1.21%) | Feels good |
| Feel/s good | 2 (1.21%) | |
| Fatigue or energy | 1 (0.61%) | |
| Total responders | 165 | |
| No comment, declined | 357 |
Other keywords in the comments are also indicated. The frequency of keywords used more than once is shown in parenthesis.
CAM, complementary and alternative medicine; MS, multiple sclerosis; RLS, restless legs syndrome.