Table 3.
Frequency and effect of neuropathy self-management strategies for the total sample (n = 228)
| Self-care strategy | N | % | Daily (%) | Weekly (%) | Monthly (%) | Rating of effectiveness (scale: 1–10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities | ||||||
| Take a hot bath | 135 | 59.0 | 42.5 | 5.7 | 1.3 | 7.4 |
| Stay off one’s feet | 115 | 50.4 | 39.0 | 3.5 | 0.4 | 7.2 |
| Rub feet | 86 | 37.7 | 23.2 | 5.3 | 1.3 | 6.9 |
| Elevate feet | 123 | 53.9 | 37.3 | 6.6 | 1.3 | 7.3 |
| Exercise | 64 | 28.1 | 16.7 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 7.2 |
| Walk | 115 | 50.4 | 36.8 | 5.7 | 0.4 | 7.2 |
| Medications | ||||||
| Prescribed antiepileptics | 41 | 18.0 | 11.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 6.6 |
| Prescribed analgesics | 36 | 15.8 | 8.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 6.8 |
| Over-the-counter medications | 57 | 25.0 | 10.5 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 6.8 |
| Vitamins B6, B12, B complex | 69 | 30.3 | 18.0 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 6.9 |
| Calcium | 44 | 19.3 | 11.8 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 7.1 |
| Magnesium | 28 | 12.3 | 7.5 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 6.9 |
| Massage | 65 | 28.5 | 8.3 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.4 |
| Acupuncture | 36 | 15.8 | 0.4 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 7.1 |
| Reflexology | 12 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 6.6 |
| Meditation | 46 | 20.2 | 11.4 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 7.6 |
| Marijuana | 44 | 19.3 | 10.5 | 2.2 | 3.5 | 7.0 |
| Cigarettes | 64 | 28.1 | 21.5 | 0 | 0.4 | 6.4 |
| Alcohol | 29 | 12.7 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.6 |
| Street drugs | 17 | 7.5 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 6.9 |