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Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Diabetes Care

  • Psychosocial Aspects (K Hood, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Growing numbers of people with diabetes in the U.S. and worldwide use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) while receiving conventional medical therapy as a means of managing disease and improving quality of life. Although herbal and natural products are the most commonly used forms of CAM, mind–body approaches are also gaining popularity and scientific interest. Current findings suggest that CAM may help to promote an integrative, participatory model of diabetes care that relies upon provider knowledge of evidence-based therapies and patient disclosure of CAM use. Emerging evidence of positive findings with some natural products and mind–body therapies have been reported in glycemic parameters, markers of cardiovascular risk, and quality of life in individuals with type 2 diabetes; however, further investigation in well-designed, adequately powered studies is needed before use of CAM modalities can be recommended as part of clinical care.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Jane Rish of the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System for her assistance in performing the literature search for this article.

Disclosures

Conflicts of interest: M. DiNardo, none; J. M. Gibson, none; L. Siminerio, none; A. R. Morell, none. E. S. Lee is a Medical Acupuncture Instructor at the Helms Medical Institute; is Director, Acupuncture Clinic, @ VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System; has received grant support from the VA Integrated Service Network (VISN) 4 for a Competitive Pilot Project Fund, Study on Acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment for poststroke depression (VA VISN 4 Competitive Pilot Fund, 2010); and is a member for the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, Annual Symposium Planning Committee.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, 3500 Victoria Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Monica M. DiNardo

  2. Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System, 111-C R/B University Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA

    Monica M. DiNardo

  3. UPMC St. Margaret Hospital, 815 Freeport Rd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15215, USA

    Jolynn M. Gibson

  4. 712 Filbert Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA

    Lara Siminerio

  5. Veteran’s Affairs Pittsburgh Health System, 120NF-U University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA

    Allison R. Morell

  6. Veteran’s Affairs Pittsburgh Health System, 130-U University Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA

    Edward S. Lee

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  1. Monica M. DiNardo
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  5. Edward S. Lee
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Correspondence to Monica M. DiNardo.

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DiNardo, M.M., Gibson, J.M., Siminerio, L. et al. Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Diabetes Care. Curr Diab Rep 12, 749–761 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-012-0315-2

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