In addition to dietary supplements, patients may use forms of CAM that include prayer, acupuncture, massage, hot tub therapy, biofeedback, and yoga. The University of Chicago’s Division of Pediatric Endocrinology interviewed 106 families with T1DM and found that 33% of children had tried CAM in the past year; the most common form used was faith-healing or prayer.79 Parents who reported the use of CAM for their children were also more likely to report having experienced struggles with adherence to conven- tional medicine.
It is the committee’s opinion that pro- viders should question patients on their use of CAM and also educate patients on potential adverse effects, review evidence for efficacy, and discourage the use of potentially dangerous or ineffective products.