[The use of alternative medicine by multiple sclerosis patients]

This paper aims to present the results of a study that explores the use of uncontrolled and unexamined alternative treatment methods with 37 MS patients, and to compare these results with previous studies. The studied variables were: (a) reasons and circumstances of referral, (b) self reported outcome effectiveness of alternative treatment, and (c) satisfaction with the conventional physician and alternative healer. From a group of 37 patients, 17 were referred to alternative healers. In comparison with those who were not referred to alternative medicine, the sub-group referred for alternative treatment reported more familial support and lower levels of satisfaction from their rapport with their conventional physicians.