Complementary/alternative medicine and physiotherapy usage in German cervical dystonia patients

BackgroundPatients with cervical dystonia (CD) frequently express interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods. We assessed the frequency of CAM utilization (including physiotherapy), evaluated perceived effectiveness and identified predictors for the treatment choice.MethodsStandardized questionnaires of 266 patients, recruited from two diverse sources, were analyzed. Group 1 (n = 101) comprised patients recruited from two centers specialized in treatment of CD while group 2 (n = 165) consisted of volunteers of the German national patient advocacy group.ResultsAt least one CAM-classified therapy was used by 81%. Those CAM therapies which were used most frequently (massages, acupuncture, chiropraxy) were not judged as effective or even had negative effects on dystonic symptoms. Special physiotherapy and psychotherapy were evaluated as most beneficial. Most patients made use of CAM in addition to botulinum toxin (BTX) injections, in particular when they were less satisfied with BTX treatment or had adverse effects. Other predictors of CAM-treatment choice were a long duration of CD, male sex, psychological stress and group 2 membership.ConclusionsSome treatment combinations (conventional treatment and special physiotherapy or psychotherapy) may hold promise for further evaluation, especially when long-term monotherapy with BTX is no longer satisfactory.