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Complementary and alternative therapies in multiple sclerosis: a systematic literature classification and analysis
Goli Arji1, Hossein Rezaeizadeh2, Abdolrreza Naser Moghadasi3
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Health Information Technology Department, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran.
Acta Neurologica Belgica
|January 21, 2022
Summary
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies like mindfulness, yoga, and reflexology show promise in managing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms. Further rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy in improving functioning for MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Integrative Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a CNS disease characterized by demyelination and neurodegeneration.
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is widely used by MS patients, but evidence is fragmented.
- A comprehensive review of CAM for MS symptom management is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and classify CAM therapies used for managing MS symptoms.
- To analyze CAM applications based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) model.
- To identify prevalent CAM therapies and their targeted MS symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of studies published between 1990 and 2020.
- Searches conducted across major databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Pro-Quest, and Google Scholar.
- Analysis and classification of 31 relevant papers on CAM therapies for MS.
Main Results:
- Mindfulness, yoga, and reflexology were the most frequently utilized CAM therapies for MS symptom management.
- Mindfulness and yoga primarily targeted mental functions (fatigue, depression, cognition) and neuromuscular/sensory functions (gait, strength, spasticity, balance).
- Reflexology was predominantly used for managing mental functions in MS patients.
Conclusions:
- CAM therapies demonstrate potential in addressing various aspects of functioning in MS patients, as per the ICF model.
- Current evidence suggests CAM interventions are promising for MS symptom management.
- There is a critical need for methodologically rigorous clinical trials to establish the efficacy of CAM therapies in MS.
