Factors That Determine the Use of Complementary and Integrative Health To Treat Physical Pain or Restore Overall Health

Authors' Affiliations

Kiana Johnson, Department of Pediatrics, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Michael Smith, College of Public Health, Department of Health Services Management & Policy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Location

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Start Date

4-5-2024 9:00 AM

End Date

4-5-2024 11:30 AM

Poster Number

15

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Shimin Zheng

Faculty Sponsor's Department

Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Classification of First Author

Graduate Student-Master’s

Competition Type

Competitive

Type

Poster Presentation

Presentation Category

Health

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Introduction: Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) encompasses non-mainstream medical approaches, which are either used alongside conventional medicine (complementary) or in a coordinated manner with it (integrative). These practices are vital in restoring overall health, preventing diseases, and significantly contribute to mainstream healthcare. However, the complex interplay of factors influencing the adoption of CIH, particularly for managing physical pain or restoring overall health, remains not fully understood.

Methods: To delve into these relationships, we conducted an analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), focusing on the sample adult interview. With a sample size of 27,651 adults, we extracted data from respondents who answered questions on CIH practices: Yoga (N=4287); Chiropractor (N=3030), Meditation (N=4957), and Massage (N=3136). Employing multiple logistic regression and Likelihood Ratio tests with Second-order Rao-Scott design correction, we evaluated the goodness of fit across four distinct CIH practices. (Chiropractor, Yoga, Meditation, and Massage).

Results: Overall, most sample adults surveyed reported using CIH practices to treat pain or restore overall health (Meditation: 76.1%, Massage: 88.2%, Yoga: 83.3%, and Chiropractor: 96.9%). Regarding the study demographics, the mean age was 53.1 years (S.D. 18.54). Across all CIH practices, the majority of the sample adults identified as females (Meditation: 60.7%, Massage: 64.0%, Yoga: 70.2%, and Chiropractor: 55.9%), Whites, married, and had completed above High School education (Meditation: 79.4%, Massage: 83.0%, Yoga: 84.6%, and Chiropractor: 72.3%). Compared to males, females exhibit a higher likelihood of using Meditation for pain management or overall health restoration. (aOR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.16-1.60). Additionally, those with immunosuppression (weak immune status) due to health conditions are more inclined to employ CIH modalities (Yoga: aOR=1.38, 95% CI: 0.84-2.26; Meditation: aOR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.33-2.86; and Massage: aOR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.81-5.34) for these purposes. Among adults with a weak immune system, the higher likelihood of using Massage to treat pain or restore overall health is influenced by levels of higher educational attainment (aOR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.16-6.83). Similarly, individuals with a weak immune system exhibit a higher propensity for using Meditation as a CIH modality when they are diagnosed with one or more cancers (aOR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.16-4.53) compared to when they have no cancer (aOR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.27-2.98). Strikingly, the insignificant relationship between living with one or more cancers and the use of Massage (aOR=1.62, 95% CI: 0.97-2.72) as a CIH modality for pain management or restoring overall health became statistically significant among adults who have achieved lower educational attainment (aOR=7.80, CI: 1.59-40.18, p

Discussion: Among existing CIH practices explored in this study, Massage is often preferred to manage pain or restore overall health. Immunosuppression strongly influences the use of CIH practices, especially among adults living with cancers where Meditation is preferred. These CIH practices have proven effective for pain management in military personnel and veterans, relief of symptoms in cancer patients and survivors, and for programs that promote healthy behaviors.

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Apr 5th, 9:00 AM Apr 5th, 11:30 AM

Factors That Determine the Use of Complementary and Integrative Health To Treat Physical Pain or Restore Overall Health

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Introduction: Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) encompasses non-mainstream medical approaches, which are either used alongside conventional medicine (complementary) or in a coordinated manner with it (integrative). These practices are vital in restoring overall health, preventing diseases, and significantly contribute to mainstream healthcare. However, the complex interplay of factors influencing the adoption of CIH, particularly for managing physical pain or restoring overall health, remains not fully understood.

Methods: To delve into these relationships, we conducted an analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), focusing on the sample adult interview. With a sample size of 27,651 adults, we extracted data from respondents who answered questions on CIH practices: Yoga (N=4287); Chiropractor (N=3030), Meditation (N=4957), and Massage (N=3136). Employing multiple logistic regression and Likelihood Ratio tests with Second-order Rao-Scott design correction, we evaluated the goodness of fit across four distinct CIH practices. (Chiropractor, Yoga, Meditation, and Massage).

Results: Overall, most sample adults surveyed reported using CIH practices to treat pain or restore overall health (Meditation: 76.1%, Massage: 88.2%, Yoga: 83.3%, and Chiropractor: 96.9%). Regarding the study demographics, the mean age was 53.1 years (S.D. 18.54). Across all CIH practices, the majority of the sample adults identified as females (Meditation: 60.7%, Massage: 64.0%, Yoga: 70.2%, and Chiropractor: 55.9%), Whites, married, and had completed above High School education (Meditation: 79.4%, Massage: 83.0%, Yoga: 84.6%, and Chiropractor: 72.3%). Compared to males, females exhibit a higher likelihood of using Meditation for pain management or overall health restoration. (aOR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.16-1.60). Additionally, those with immunosuppression (weak immune status) due to health conditions are more inclined to employ CIH modalities (Yoga: aOR=1.38, 95% CI: 0.84-2.26; Meditation: aOR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.33-2.86; and Massage: aOR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.81-5.34) for these purposes. Among adults with a weak immune system, the higher likelihood of using Massage to treat pain or restore overall health is influenced by levels of higher educational attainment (aOR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.16-6.83). Similarly, individuals with a weak immune system exhibit a higher propensity for using Meditation as a CIH modality when they are diagnosed with one or more cancers (aOR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.16-4.53) compared to when they have no cancer (aOR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.27-2.98). Strikingly, the insignificant relationship between living with one or more cancers and the use of Massage (aOR=1.62, 95% CI: 0.97-2.72) as a CIH modality for pain management or restoring overall health became statistically significant among adults who have achieved lower educational attainment (aOR=7.80, CI: 1.59-40.18, p

Discussion: Among existing CIH practices explored in this study, Massage is often preferred to manage pain or restore overall health. Immunosuppression strongly influences the use of CIH practices, especially among adults living with cancers where Meditation is preferred. These CIH practices have proven effective for pain management in military personnel and veterans, relief of symptoms in cancer patients and survivors, and for programs that promote healthy behaviors.