Abstracts

Rationale: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is recognized to be commonly used by patients, yet there have been few studies regarding the scope of CAM and patients with epilepsy. This study assessed usage and perceptions of CAM by epilepsy patients in the US Midwest.Methods: A survey of 25 items was administered to adult patients with epilepsy, with data collected from 228 patients. The survey collected information including demographics, specific CAM usage, adverse effects from CAM therapy, and perceptions on the effectiveness of CAM.Results: Thirty-nine percent (39%) reported using CAM; 25% reported using CAM specifically for their epilepsy. Out of a list of 30 CAM therapies, prayer/spirituality was the most commonly used (46%), followed by “mega” vitamins (25%), chiropractic care (24%), and stress management (16%).Conclusions: CAM use is common amongst US Midwest epilepsy patients. Prayer/spirituality is the most prevalent type of CAM therapy, whereas herbs/botanicals usage is uncommon as CAM therapy for epilepsy patients in the US Midwest.