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Table 3 Prevalence of lifetime, current, past use and willingness to try different CAM categories

From: Complementary and alternative medicine use in adults with autism spectrum disorder in Germany: results from a multi-center survey

 

Prevalence in % (95% CI)

 

lifetime use

current use

past use

willingness to try

CAM group 1: Alternative Medical Systems or complete systems of therapy and practice

(e.g. Anthroposophic medicine, homeopathy, naturopathic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture)

26.9 (20.7–33.9)

10.8 (6.7–16.1)

16.1 (11.2–22.2)

4.8 (2.2–9.0)

CAM group 2: Mind-Body Interventions

(e.g. yoga, biofeedback, music therapy, dance therapy, meditation, animal-assisted therapy, prayer and spiritual healing)

23.6 (17.7–30.5)

13.2 (8.6–19.0)

10.4 (6.4–15.8)

9.9 (6.0–15.2)

CAM group 3: Biologically Based Therapies

(e.g. special diets (e.g. gluten free, casein free), dietary supplements, melatonin, naltrexone, vitamin C, vitamin B6/magnesium, amino acids, omega 3 fatty acids, trace elements, secretin, chelation therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy)

17.6 (12.3–24.1)

14.2 (9.4–20.3)

3.4 (1.3–7.3)

5.1 (2.4–9.5)

CAM group 4: Manipulative and Body Based Methods

(e.g. facilitated communication, PECS, chiropractic, osteopathy, craniosacral therapy, sensory integration therapy or auditory integration training, Bobath)

15.3 (10.4–21.5)

6.3 (3.2–10.9)

9.1 (5.3–14.3)

10.2 (6.2–15.7)

CAM group 5: Other CAM Practices

(e.g. energy medicine, Feldenkrais, Pilates, Qigong, Reiki)

3.5 (1.3–7.5)

1.8 (0.4–5.0)

1.8 (0.4–5.0)

11.1 (6.8–16.8)

  1. CAM complementary and alternative medicine, CI confidence interval, PECS picture exchange communication system