The Use of Complemantary and Alternative Treatment in Headache Patients

Objective: Complementary and alternative treatment methods (CAM) are used frequently for patient have primary headache patients and many studies investigate why it is used. Our aim is to determine reason of using CAM and application locations of CAM in our country. Methods: Two hundred patients who were diagnosed primary headache and accepted to participate in our study were enrolled. We investigate sociodemographic data, CAM usage frequency, preferred CAM, satisfaction rates, thought on CAM use, recommendation sources, whether medical treatment continues or not and reason of CAM usage. Results: The 26% of patients were using CAM and 55,7% of those using CAM were satisfied with the treatment. Patients using CAM were younger than those who did not use (p=0,033). Unemployed, students and all-day employees; single people and well-educated people were using CAM more often (p=0,042; p=0,026; p=0,009, respectively). The most frequent reason of CAM usage was 'effective treatment of headache of this treatment methods'. 85% of CAM users had also continued medical treatment. Conclusion: We found single and well-educated patients more likely candidate for CAM. High rates of CAM and medical treatment usage indicates that CAM only treatments are not generally accepted in our country.