Patterns and Perceived Benefits of Utilizing Seven Major Complementary Health Approaches in U.S. Older Adults.


Author: Rhee TG1,2, Marottoli RA1,3, Van Ness PH1, Tinetti ME1,3

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Section of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT.

<sup>2</sup>Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Yale-New Haven Health, New Haven, CT.

<sup>3</sup>Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assessment Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT.
Conference/Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci.
Date published: 2018 Apr 28
Other:
  Special Notes: doi: 10.1093/gerona/gly099. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 249  
    Objectives: To examine patterns and perceived benefits of seven major complementary health approaches (CHA) among older adults in the U.S.



Methods: Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which represents non-institutionalized adults ages 65 or older (n=7,116 unweighted), were used. We elicited seven most common CHA used in older adults, which are: acupuncture, herbal therapies, chiropractic, massage, meditation, Tai Chi, and yoga. Survey participants were asked to self-report perceived benefits (e.g., maintaining health and stress reduction) in their CHA used. We estimated prevalence and perceived benefits of CHA use. We also investigated socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with the use of any of these seven CHA.



Results: Overall, 29.2% of older adults used any of seven CHA in the past year. Most commonly used CHA included herbal therapies (18.1%), chiropractic (8.4%), and massage (5.7%). More than 60% of older CHA users reported that CHA were important for maintaining health and well-being. Other perceived benefits included improving overall health and feeling better (52.3%), giving a better sense of control over health (27.4%), and making it easier to cope with health problems (24.7%). Older adults with higher education and income levels, ≥2 chronic conditions, and functional limitations had greater odds of using CHA (p<0.01, respectively).



Conclusion: A substantial number of older CHA users reported CHA-related benefits. CHA may play a crucial role in improving health status among older adults. At the population level, further research on the effects of CHA use on bio-psycho-social outcomes is needed to promote healthy aging in older adults.



PMID: 29718133  DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly099