Evaluation of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Treating Patients with Erectile Dysfunction.
10.4111/kju.2006.47.9.987
- Author:
Bong Hee PARK
1
;
Soo Woong KIM
;
Sae Woong KIM
;
Je Jong KIM
;
Hong Sik KIM
;
Kweon Sik MIN
;
Kwangsung PARK
;
Nam Cheol PARK
;
Sung Won LEE
;
Woo Sik CHUNG
;
Jun Hyuk HONG
;
Jong Kwan PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, and The Institute for Medical Sciences, and The Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University Hospital, The Regional Research Centers Program of the Korean Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development through the Center for Healthcare Technology Development, Jeonju, Korea. rain@chonbuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Erectile dysfunction;
Complementary medicine;
Alternative medicine
- MeSH:
Acupuncture;
Agaricales;
Biofeedback, Psychology;
Chiropractic;
Complementary Therapies*;
Diet;
Erectile Dysfunction*;
Health Food;
Herbal Medicine;
Homeopathy;
Humans;
Hypnosis;
Lycopersicon esculentum;
Male;
Massage;
Medicine, Traditional;
Moxibustion;
Panax;
Psychotherapy;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Relaxation;
Spiritual Therapies;
Food, Organic
- From:Korean Journal of Urology
2006;47(9):987-993
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) employed for treating patients with erectile dysfunction. Materials and Methods: A total of 204 patients with erectile dysfunction who completed a questionnaire between January and June 2005 were evaluated. The questionnaire was composed of 13 questions. This survey employed a broad definition for CAM, including acupuncture, biofeedback, folk remedies, chiropractic, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage, psychotherapy, relaxation, energy healing, imagery, special diet, spiritual healing and herbal medicine. The CAMs used by the patients with erectile dysfunction were divided into processed health foods, natural health foods and other therapies, and these were all analyzed. Results: The mean age was 57.9+/-10.1 years. 78 of the total patients with erectile dysfunction had employed at least one CAM. CAM users were more likely to be high school educated, nonsmokers and exercisers. The CAMs used were processed health foods 62% (48/78), natural health foods 15% (12/78), and other therapies 66% (52/78). The processed health foods were soy 25%, ginseng 23% and mushroom 19%. Of the natural health foods, tomato was 42%, soy was 25% and ginseng was 17%. Of the other therapies, herbal medicine was 45%, acupuncture was 25%, moxibustion and cupping a boil were 17%. 35% (27/78) of the patients with erectile dysfunction had employed more than one of the processed health foods, natural health foods and other therapies. Conclusions: Patients with erectile dysfunction had mainly employed processed health foods more than the natural health foods, herbal medicine and acupuncture. We think that more research is required about the effects and benefits of CAM in association with ED.
