The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Internet-based arthritis self-management

    Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine in California studied arthritis patients who were unable or unwilling to attend a small-group arthritis self-management program (ASMP).

    First, the details.

    • 855 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia and Internet and e-mail access were randomly assigned to an Internet-based ASMP or usual care.
    • The groups were compared on a range of outcomes.
      • 6 health status variables: pain, fatigue, activity limitation, health distress, disability, and self-reported global health
      • 4 health behaviors: aerobic exercise, stretching and strengthening exercise, practice of stress management, and communication with physicians
      • 5 utilization variables: physician visits, emergency room visits, chiropractic visits, physical therapist visits, and nights in hospital
      • Self-efficacy (judgment of their own capabilities)

    And, the results.

    • At 1 year, the ASMP group significantly improved in 4 of 6 health status measures and self-efficacy.
    • There were no significant differences in health behaviors or health care utilization were found.

    The bottom line?
    For those who can’t or will not participate in more typical healthcare options, the Internet might be an option.

    6/29/08 20:51 JR

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