Effects and feasibility of an Integrative Medicine program for geriatric patients-a cluster-randomized pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Older adults often use complementary medicine; however, very few interventional studies have focused on them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and to obtain preliminary data on effectiveness of an Integrative Medicine (IM) program compared to usual medical care.

Methods

The study consisted of older adults living in shared apartment communities including caregiving. The shared apartments were cluster-randomized to the IM program or Usual Care (UC). IM consisted of additional lifestyle modification (exercise and diet), external naturopathic applications, homeopathic treatment, and modification of conventional drug therapy for 12 months. The UC group received conventional care alone. The following outcomes were used: Nurses Observation Scale for

SUBMITTER: Teut M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3724560 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature