A qualitative study examining older adult usage of complementary and alternative medications and natural health products for cognitive and mental health improvement.
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Abstract
Objectives: The use of complementary and alternative medications (CAM) and natural health products (NHPs) to enhance mood and reduce cognitive decline is well known yet research guiding Older Adult patients and their health care teams on such usage is limited. The purpose of this study was to understand CAM and NHP usage patterns for cognitive health among healthy Older Adults to enable the construct of better guidelines for health care practitioners regarding such usage.
Methods: A qualitative study was designed to determine usage patterns of CAM and NHPs among Older Adults. Participants were recruited from the Center for Elder Research at Sheridan College and open-ended questions were utilized during one-on-one interviews with interested participants to determine usage patterns in relation to cognitive health.
Results: A total of 10 participants completed the interviews with an age range of 63-86 years. Results were analyzed using the triangulation method based on a Grounded Theory approach to identify 6 main emerging themes: fear of cognitive health decline, strategies to mitigate perceived/self-diagnosed cognitive health decline, dietary influences on cognitive health, healthcare ownership and self-care, CAM and NHPs loyalty, and supporting Older Adult CAM and NHPs use. Percentages of each response within each main theme was also determined.
Conclusions: Older Adults appeared to be cognizant of their cognitive health and tended to rely on CAM and NHPs to improve self-perceived decline in cognitive health. Older Adults expressed a desire for their health care practitioners to become more accommodating of such usage and for the government to support them financially for expenditures on CAM and NHPs. Older Adults indicated a preference of visiting health care practitioners who supported the use of these products.
期刊介绍：
Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (JCIM) focuses on evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of complementary medical (CM) whole systems, practices, interventions and natural health products, including herbal and traditional medicines. The journal is edited by Ed Lui of the University of Western Ontario. Topics: -Quality, efficacy, and safety of natural health products, dietary supplements, traditional medicines and their synthetic duplicates -Efficacy and safety of complementary therapies -Evidence-based medicine and practice, including evidence of traditional use -Curriculum development, educational system and competency of complementary health programs -Methodologies on research and evaluation of traditional medicines and herbal products -Integrative medicine: basic and clinical research and practice -Innovation in CAM Curriculum -Educational Material Design
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