Complementary and alternative therapies for treating multiple sclerosis symptoms: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Integrative Medicine
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, incurable central nervous system disease.
• Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are widely used by MS patients for symptom management.
• The effectiveness of CATs in MS requires rigorous scientific validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of various CATs for multiple sclerosis.
• To identify CATs with demonstrated efficacy based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• To highlight the need for further high-quality research in this area.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating CATs for MS.
• Literature searches conducted using predefined criteria.
• Extraction and analysis of data from twelve identified RCTs.

Main Results:

• Limited compelling evidence supports most CATs for MS due to methodological flaws in trials.
• Nutritional therapy shows some benefit for physical MS symptoms.
• Magnetic field therapy and neural therapy offer short-term physical symptom relief.
• Massage/bodywork and psychological counseling may improve mood and self-esteem.
• Effectiveness of other CATs remains unproven.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence for most CATs in multiple sclerosis management is not robust.
• Nutritional therapy, magnetic field therapy, and neural therapy show potential for specific symptom relief.
• Massage/bodywork and psychological counseling may benefit psychological well-being.
• Rigorous, large-scale clinical trials are essential to confirm the efficacy of these therapies.