According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately 250,000 to 350,000 Americans suffer from Multiple Sclerosis with 200 cases diagnosed each week. Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, disseminated sclerosis, or encephalomyelitis disseminate, is a chronic, potentially debilitating auto-immune disease which affects the central nervous system.

An unpredictable disease which varies in severity from person to person, MS may manifest itself through any number of symptoms including, but not limited to, numbness, weakness, tingling or pain, loss of vision, tremors, loss of coordination, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive difficulties, sexual dysfunction, urinary and bowel problems, and depression.

To date, there is no definitive cause for MS although factors such as genetics, diet, gender, environment, and stress are believed to influence whether or not an individual develops this condition. As regards prognosis, most individuals with MS have a relatively normal life span with two-thirds of patients remaining mobile 25 after the onset of the disease. Eventually, about 70% of patients report some physical limitations.

There is no cure for MS. Conventional treatment may include medication to address the various symptoms, and physical therapy when necessary. However, as most of the medications available also carry potentially dangerous side effects, many choose to manage the disease through diet and exercise (both of which have proven beneficial).

In addition to lifestyle changes, a number of individuals seek alternative treatment. Despite the fact that there is “unclear or conflicting evidence” supporting the clinical efficacy of any single alternative treatment for MS, there are several which have been shown to be potentially beneficial.

One such treatment of particular interest is magnetic therapy. To date, several clinical trials have explored its use in the treatment of MS. In one double-blind study performed by researchers at the Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, which evaluated the efficacy of a magnetic pulsing device in the treatment of MS, it was found that the (Enermed) device had an statistically significant effect both on patient performance scales and on alpha EEG magnitude during a language task.

Another randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study evaluating data gathered from multiple research institutes found that, although use of the device did not significantly increase bladder control, it did significantly decrease fatigue in individuals with MS. In their conclusion, researchers stated that that the device should be considered as a treatment for the fatigue associated with MS.

In addition to magnetic therapy, other Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medical (ICAM) therapies that have shown promise in the treatment of MS. These include colostrum, creatine, evening primrose oil, ginkgo biloba, vitamin B-12, massage, vitamin D, yoga, acupressure (Shiatsu), acupuncture, the alexander technique, astragalus, bee pollen, boswellia, calcium, chiropractic therapy, detoxification therapy, DHEA, healing touch, Kundalini yoga, liver extract, meditation, music therapy, organic food, ozone therapy, phosphorus, qi gong, reflexology, reishi mushroom, resveratrol, rutin, SAMe, spiritual healing, tai chi, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), therapeutic touch, and thymus extract. More studies on these and other therapies are ongoing.

References

1. rVita: Alternative Medicine
2. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12185153
4. http://faculty.washington.edu/toddr/magnetic
5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17613606

Danielle Grilli is the Content Director of rVita.com

Recently, I have received some requests for a review of complementary medicine practices and research and information on the Nursing Show podcast and blog. This topic area is so broad as to require it’s own series of podcasts. However, I think that there are some good resources for authoritative information out there on alternative and complimentary medicine.

One that has recently come to mind is rVita.com. The site presents information is an easy to read format, features links to authoritative studies and seems to tell it like it is. We all know that some of the claims of the herbal and complementary medicine producers lack scientific backing and thorough research, but there are products out there that have a positive effect on health and wellness, when used as directed.

The biggest question for most nurses is “who and what do you believe?” I think rVita solves this problem. They summarize the currently available research and provide links back to their sources so that you can check for yourself. They include links to specific studies as well as to reports from the NIH and CDC. There is also an option to provide feedback directly from visitors so that you may supply your own opinion.

I am talking with the content director for rVita and hope that she will be able to occasionally post pertinent information here on the Nursing Show site about complementary medicine and alternative therapies for you to use in your nursing practices every day.

My goal is that this will continue to expand the information available here at the Nursing Show and provide the listeners and visitors a chance to learn more about this area of patient care.

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Full disclosure: I was asked to review this site by it’s authors but did not receive any compensation to do so.

I believe that the combination of conventional medical treatment and complementary alternative medicine are the best way to treat many complex disease processes.  I found this article that looks at a study from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America on a small patient group and the effects of vitamin and melatonin supplements on cancer treatment side effects.

The author of the study says that he has seen a positive reduction in fatigue levels and severe pain associated with both the disease process and the treatments.  The study looked at 50 pancreatic cancer patients who were experiencing pain and fatigue while being treated with chemotherapy and in some cases chemo and radiation therapy.  The patients also were receiving standard narcotic pain management.

The study claims a reduction in fatigue symptoms and pain associated with their cancer.  A comment from an oncologist not associated with the study cautions that alternative complementary medication treatments are often effective as assistants to conventional care but should not be considered instead of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.