Self-Management of Arthritis Symptoms by Complementary and Alternative Medicine Movement Therapies

This study describes the association between current use of different complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) movement therapies (MTs) and arthritis symptoms (pain, fatigue, difficulty with physical function, and feelings of helplessness).

By using a cross-sectional design, 2140 participants with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms completed a survey about CAM use. Adjusted means for arthritis symptoms were reported by current use of CAM MTs and current use of yoga.

Approximately 19% (n = 398) of the total respondents were "currently using" some form of MT. Of those reporting current use, 89.2% of the participants reported current use of yoga. After adjustment for a variety of characteristics, relative to participants who reported no current CAM MT use, participants with current use of CAM MT had significantly increased pain symptoms and a higher level of perceived helplessness.

This descriptive study indicates that patients with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms selecting CAM MT for self-management may be doing so because of more symptom involvement, specifically more pain and feelings of helplessness. Because of its increasing use, yoga warrants special attention by practitioners as a nonpharmacologic self-management therapy for arthritis symptoms.