Canan KAŞ, Filiz ÖZEL ÇAKIR
Middle Black Sea Journal of Health Science - 2026;12(2):244-255
Objective: With the progression of the disease, patients with multiple sclerosis experience problems in fulfilling their daily life activities and may turn to different applications. In this study, it was aimed to determine the use of complementary alternative therapies in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: 'Personal Information Form' and "Questionnaire on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies by Patients with Multiple Sclerosis" were used as data collection tools and 42 patients participated in the study. Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.8+/-11.6 years, the mean disease duration (years) was 9+/-7.6 years and 78.6% of them were female. 69% of the patients had no knowledge about the use of complementary alternative therapies. Those who had information mostly received information from their physicians. While 78.6% of these patients used complementary alternative therapies in addition to their medication, 66.7% preferred not to use them voluntarily. It was determined that 92.9% of the patients did not use herbal treatment and 9.5% used natural stones. Conclusion: In the study, 50% of the patients who used alternative treatment stated that they had fewer attacks. It was determined that the majority of the patients using complementary treatment tended to different types of nutrition, and the majority of the patients using alternative treatment used natural stones. Half of the patients who used complementary alternative treatment reported that their attacks decreased.
