A qualitative study examining older adult usage of complementary and alternative medications and natural health products for cognitive and mental health improvement
-
Dalya Abdulla
and
Lia Tsotsos
Abstract
Objectives
The use of complementary and alternative medications (CAM) and natural health products (NHPs) to enhance mood and reduce cognitive decline is well known yet research guiding Older Adult patients and their health care teams on such usage is limited. The purpose of this study was to understand CAM and NHP usage patterns for cognitive health among healthy Older Adults to enable the construct of better guidelines for health care practitioners regarding such usage.
Methods
A qualitative study was designed to determine usage patterns of CAM and NHPs among Older Adults. Participants were recruited from the Center for Elder Research at Sheridan College and open-ended questions were utilized during one-on-one interviews with interested participants to determine usage patterns in relation to cognitive health.
Results
A total of 10 participants completed the interviews with an age range of 63–86 years. Results were analyzed using the triangulation method based on a Grounded Theory approach to identify 6 main emerging themes: fear of cognitive health decline, strategies to mitigate perceived/self-diagnosed cognitive health decline, dietary influences on cognitive health, healthcare ownership and self-care, CAM and NHPs loyalty, and supporting Older Adult CAM and NHPs use. Percentages of each response within each main theme was also determined.
Conclusions
Older Adults appeared to be cognizant of their cognitive health and tended to rely on CAM and NHPs to improve self-perceived decline in cognitive health. Older Adults expressed a desire for their health care practitioners to become more accommodating of such usage and for the government to support them financially for expenditures on CAM and NHPs. Older Adults indicated a preference of visiting health care practitioners who supported the use of these products.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the staff and faculty at CER (Center for Elder Research) at Sheridan College, especially Leigh Hayden, for their support in conducting this study.
-
Research ethics: This study was approved by the Sheridan Research Ethics Board, Approval # SREB No 2019-10-001-033.
-
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained directly from all participants of the study.
-
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
-
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
-
Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
-
Research funding: None declared.
-
Data availability: Not applicable.
References
1. Seddon, N, D’Cunha, N, Mellor, D, McKune, A, Georgousopoulou, E, Panagiotakos, D, et al.. Effects of curcumin on cognitive function: a systematic review of randomized controlled Trials. ERHM 2019;4:1.10.14218/ERHM.2018.00024Search in Google Scholar
2. Zhang, NJ, Qian, ZD, Zeng, YB, Gu, JN, Jin, Y, Li, W. Incidence and risk factors associated with progression to mild cognitive impairment among middle aged and older adults. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2022;26:8852–9. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202212_30557.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
3. Hensel, C, Becker, M, Düzel, S, Demuth, I, Norman, K, Steinhagen-Thiessen, E, et al.. Influence of nutritional tyrosine on cognition and functional connectivity in healthy old humans. Neuroimage 2019;193:139–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.03.005.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
4. Gehlich, KH, Beller, J, Lange-Asschenfeldt, B, Köcher, W, Meinke, MC, Lademann, J. Consumption of fruits and vegetables: improved physical health, mental health, physical functioning and cognitive health in older adults from 11 European countries. Aging Ment Health 2020;24:634–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1571011.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
5. Piccirilli, M, Pigliautile, M, Arcelli, P, Baratta, I, Ferretti, S. Improvement in cognitive performance and mood in healthy older adults: a multimodal approach. Eur J Ageing 2019;16:327–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-019-00503-3.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
6. Zhao, C, Noble, JM, Marder, K, Hartman, JS, Gu, Y, Scarmeas, N. Dietary patterns, physical activity, sleep, and risk for dementia and cognitive decline. Curr Nutr Rep 2018;7:335–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-018-0247-9.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
7. O’Mahony, L, O’Shea, E, O’Connor, EM, Tierney, A, Harkin, M, Harrington, J, et al.. Older adults and healthcare professionals have limited awareness of the link between the mediterranean diet and the gut microbiome for healthy aging. Front Nutr 2023;10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1104238.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
8. Park, DC, Gutchess, AH, Meade, ML, Stine-Morrow, EA. Improving cognitive function in older adults: nontraditional approaches. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2007;62:45–52. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/62.special_issue_1.45.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
9. Nguyen, SA, Oughli, HA, Lavretsky, H. Use of complementary and integrative medicine for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. J Alzheim Dis 2024;97:523–40. https://doi.org/10.3233/jad-230710.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
10. Lavretsky, H. Complementary and alternative medicine use for treatment and prevention of late-life mood and cognitive disorders. Aging Health 2009;5:61–78. https://doi.org/10.2217/1745509x.5.1.61.Search in Google Scholar
11. Mueller, C, Molokhia, M, Perera, G, Veronese, N, Stubbs, B, Shetty, H, et al.. Polypharmacy in people with dementia: associations with adverse health outcomes. Exp Gerontol 2018;106:240–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2018.02.011.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
12. Dergal, JM, Gold, JL, Laxer, DA, Lee, MS, Binns, MA, Lanctôt, KL, et al.. Potential interactions between herbal medicines and conventional drug therapies used by older adults attending a memory clinic. Drugs Aging 2002;19:879–86. https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200219110-00005.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
13. Saeed, SA, Bloch, RM, Antonacci, DJ. Herbal and dietary supplements for treatment of anxiety disorders. Am Fam Physician 2007;76:549–56.Search in Google Scholar
14. González-Stuart, A. Herbal product use by older adults. Maturitas 2011;68:52–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.09.006.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
15. Ploeg, J, Canesi, M, K, DF, McAiney, C, Kaasalainen, S, Markle-Reid, M, et al.. Experiences of community-dwelling older adults living with multiple chronic conditions: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2019;9:e023345. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023345.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
16. Soysal, P, Perera, G, Isik, AT, Onder, G, Petrovic, M, Cherubini, A, et al.. The relationship between polypharmacy and trajectories of cognitive decline in people with dementia: a large representative cohort study. Exp Gerontol 2019;120:62–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2019.02.019.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
17. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Complementary, alternative, or integrative health: what’s in a name? In: U.S. Department of health and human services. USA: National Institutes of Health. [Internet] [cited 2024 March 28]. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name.Search in Google Scholar
18. Noble, H, Mitchell, G. What is grounded theory? Evidence-based nursing. EBN 2016;19:34–5. https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2016-102306.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
19. Glaser, B, Bailyn, L, Fernandez, W, Holton, JA, Levina, N, editors. What grounded theory is Academy of Management Proceedings. Chicago: Springer; 2013.10.5465/ambpp.2013.11290symposiumSearch in Google Scholar
20. Blazer, DG. Cognitive aging: what we fear and what we know. Perspect Biol Med 2017;60:569–82. https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.2017.0043.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
21. Angeloni, C, Businaro, R, Vauzour, D. The role of diet in preventing and reducing cognitive decline. Curr Opin Psychiatr 2020;33:432–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/yco.0000000000000605.Search in Google Scholar
22. Huisman, M, Joye, S, Biltereyst, D. Searching for health: doctor google and the shifting dynamics of the middle-aged and older adult patient-physician relationship and interaction. J Aging Health 2020;32:998–1007. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264319873809.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
23. Bendapudi, NM, Berry, LL, Frey, KA, Parish, JT, Rayburn, WL. Patients’ perspectives on ideal physician behaviors. Mayo Clin Proc 2006;81:338–44. https://doi.org/10.4065/81.3.338.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
