Usage of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM): Prevalence, Practice and Perception among Post Stroke Patients Attending Conventional Stroke Rehabilitation in A Teaching Hospital in Malaysia
- Author:
Mohd Fairuz Ali
;
Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz
;
Mohd Radzniwan Rashid
;
Zuraidah Che Man
;
Amnor Aidiliana Amir
;
Lim Yinn Shien
;
Nurul Shahida Ramli
;
Nur Asilah Anez Zainal Abidin
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Stroke;
rehabilitation;
complementary therapies;
alternative medicine;
traditional medicine;
acupuncture;
Chinese medicine;
massage
- MeSH:
Complementary Therapies, Stroke
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2015;70(1):18-23
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: The lack of evidence that proves the benefit of
traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) in treating
chronic medical conditions does not deter its usage among
patients worldwide. Prevalence of usage among post-stroke
patients in Malaysia especially is unknown. This study aims
to determine the prevalence, practice and perception of
T&CM use among stroke survivors attending an outpatient
rehabilitation program in a teaching hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among
104 post stroke patients attending an outpatient
rehabilitation program. A structured self-administered
questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic
and clinical profile of patients, as well as types
of therapy used and perception on T&CM usage. Descriptive
analysis was done, and bivariate analysis was used to
determine associations between categorical data.
Results: Mean age of patients was 62 years (SD 12.2), 54%
were Chinese and 75% of the patients had ischaemic stroke.
Mean age of T&CM users was younger compared to nonT&CM
users (61 years vs. 66 years, p=0.04). Two-thirds (66%)
of patients admitted to concurrent T&CM usage while
attending conventional post stroke rehabilitation.
Acupuncture (40.4%), massage (40.4%) and traditional
Chinese medicine (11.5%) were the most common T&CM
used. Positive perception was recorded in terms of ability of
T&CM usage to relieve post stroke symptoms (68%), and it
was safe to use because it was made from ‘natural sources'.
Negative perception recorded: T&CM caused significant
adverse effects (57.6%) and was not safe to be used in
combination with other conventional medicines (62.5%).
Conclusions: Concurrent T&CM usage among post-stroke
patients attending structured outpatient rehabilitation
program is widely practised especially acupuncture,
massage and traditional Chinese medici
- Full text:P020150724516278198910.pdf
