Journal article
The prevalence and characteristics of complementary medicine use by Australians living with sleep disorders – Results of a cross-sectional study
Advances in integrative medicine, Vol.7(1), pp.14-22
03/2020
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Abstract
Objectives: To report the prevalence and characteristics of complementary medicine use and product
utilization by Australians living with sleep disorders.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Methods: 2025 adults representative of the Australian population by age, gender and state/territory of
residence completed a survey consisting of 50 items including demographic, health services and
complementary product/service utilization and health status items. The sociodemographic character-
istics, prevalence and frequency of complementary medicine (CM) use, and out of pocket CM expenses
were compared between those reporting a sleep disorder to those without a sleep disorder.
Results: Of the 2019 respondents completing the online survey, 265 (13%) reported sleep disorders. Of
these 265 respondents, the median age bracket was 40–50 years; 54.7% were females. The mean health-
related quality of life score in this group was 44.8 23.3; the group had a higher level of comorbid
conditions compared to those without sleep disorders (p < 0.001). Two thirds (63.8%) of participants with
a sleep disorder used complementary medicine compared to 52% of those without a sleep disorder
(p < 0.001). Massage therapists and chiropractors were the main complementary medicine practitioners
consulted by the group with sleep disorders; the average annual amount spent on visits to
complementary medicine practitioners was significantly higher in this group (Australian dollars, AUD
160.0 545.0) than in participants without sleep disorders (AUD 62.8 251.0), p < 0.001. There were no
significant differences in spending on complementary medicine products annually - those with a sleep
disorder spent on average AUD 59.73 266.38 annually, whilst those without spent AUD 62.8 251.0
(p = 0.42). Of those with a sleep disorder, 97% reported consulting a general practitioner compared with
89.3% in the non-sleep disorders group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Both complementary medicine and conventional services/medicines use is more prevalent in
Australians with sleep disorders compared to those not reporting a sleep disorder. This raises a number of
clinical and safety considerations including accommodating patient preferences
Details
- Title
- The prevalence and characteristics of complementary medicine use by Australians living with sleep disorders – Results of a cross-sectional study
- Creators
- Vibha Malhotra - The University of SydneyJoanna Harnett - University of Technology SydneyErica McIntyre - University of Technology SydneyAmie Steel - Endeavour College of Natural HealthKeith Wong - Royal Prince Alfred HospitalBandana Saini - Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
- Publication Details
- Advances in integrative medicine, Vol.7(1), pp.14-22
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991013036338602368
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article