Table 1
Trends in the use of selected complementary health approaches during the past 12 months, by type of approach: United States, 2002, 2007, and 2012
| Complementary health approach | 2002
| 2007
| 2012
| Test for trend
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage point change | Trend | |||||||||
| Number (in thousands) | Age-adjusted percent1 (standard error) | Number (in thousands) | Age-adjusted percent1 (standard error) | Number (in thousands) | Age-adjusted percent1 (standard error) | 2002–2007 | 2007–2012 | 2002–2012 | ||
| Nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplements | 38,183 | 18.9 (0.28) | 38,797 | 17.7 (0.37) | 40,579 | 17.7 (0.37) | †† | 0.0 | †† | †† |
| Deep-breathing exercises2 | 23,457 | 11.6 (0.24) | 27,794 | 12.7 (0.30) | 24,218 | 10.9 (0.26) | §1.1 | †† | †† | †† |
| Yoga, tai chi, and qi gong | 11,766 | 5.8 (0.17) | 14,436 | 6.7 (0.22) | 22,281 | 10.1 (0.25) | 0.9 | §2.5 | §3.4 | * Linear |
| Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation3 | 15,226 | 7.5 (0.19) | 18,740 | 8.6 (0.27) | 19,369 | 8.4 (0.22) | †† | −0.2 | †† | †† |
| Meditation4 | 15,336 | 7.6 (0.20) | 20,541 | 9.4 (0.27) | 17,948 | 8.0 (0.21) | §1.8 | †† | †† | †† |
| Massage therapy | 10,052 | 5.0 (0.16) | 18,068 | 8.3 (0.23) | 15,411 | 6.9 (0.15) | §3.3 | §−1.6 | §1.9 | * Quadratic |
| Special diets5 | 6,765 | 3.3 (0.12) | 6,040 | 2.8 (0.14) | 6,853 | 3.0 (0.13) | 0.1 | §−0.6 | −0.5 | ** Quadratic |
| Homeopathic treatment6 | 3,433 | 1.7 (0.09) | 3,909 | 1.8 (0.11) | 5,046 | 2.2 (0.11) | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | *** Linear |
| Progressive relaxation | 6,185 | 3.0 (0.12) | 6,454 | 2.9 (0.15) | 4,766 | 2.1 (0.10) | −0.1 | §−0.8 | §−0.9 | * Linear |
| Guided imagery | 4,194 | 2.1 (0.10) | 4,866 | 2.2 (0.16) | 3,846 | 1.7 (0.10) | 0.1 | −0.5 | −0.4 | None |
| Acupuncture | 2,136 | 1.1 (0.07) | 3,141 | 1.4 (0.10) | 3,484 | 1.5 (0.08) | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | *** Linear |
| Energy healing therapy | 1,080 | 0.5 (0.05) | 1,216 | 0.5 (0.06) | 1,077 | 0.5 (0.05) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | None |
| Naturopathy | 498 | 0.2 (0.03) | 729 | 0.3 (0.04) | 957 | 0.4 (0.04) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | ** Linear |
| Hypnosis | 505 | 0.2 (0.03) | 561 | 0.2 (0.04) | 347 | 0.1 (0.03) | 0.0 | −0.1 | −0.1 | None |
| Biofeedback | 278 | 0.1 (0.02) | 362 | 0.2 (0.04) | 281 | 0.1 (0.02) | 0.1 | −0.1 | 0.0 | None |
| Ayurveda | 154 | †0.1 (0.02) | 214 | †0.1 (0.03) | 241 | 0.1 (0.02) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | None |
††Direct comparisons are not available.
§Difference between both years is statistically significant at p < 0.05.
0.0 Quantity more than zero but less than 0.05.
*Significance of the chi-squared statistics is < 0.001.
**Significance of the chi-squared statistics is < 0.01.
***Significance of the chi-squared statistics is < 0.05.
1The denominator used in the calculation of percentages was all sample adults.
2In 2012, deep-breathing exercises included deep-breathing exercises as part of hypnosis; biofeedback; Mantra meditation (including Transcendental Meditation, Relaxation Response, and Clinically Standardized Meditation); mindfulness meditation (including Vipassana, Zen Buddhist meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy); spiritual meditation (including centering prayer and contemplative meditation); guided imagery; progressive relaxation; yoga; tai chi; or qi gong. In 2002 and 2007, the use of deep-breathing exercises was asked broadly and not if used as part of other complementary health approaches. No trend analyses were conducted on the use of deep-breathing exercises.
3In 2002, the use of chiropractic care was asked broadly, and osteopathic approach was not specified on the survey. No trend analyses were conducted on the use of chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation.
4In 2012, meditation included Mantra meditation (including Transcendental Meditation, Relaxation Response, and Clinically Standardized Meditation); mindfulness meditation (including Vipassana, Zen Buddhist meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy); spiritual meditation (including centering prayer and contemplative meditation); and meditation used as a part of other practices (including yoga, tai chi, and qi gong). In 2002 and 2007, the use of meditation was asked broadly and not if practiced as part of other complementary health approaches.
5Respondents used one or more named special diets for 2 weeks or more in the past 12 months. Special diets included vegetarian (including vegan), macrobiotic, Atkins, Pritikin, and Ornish diets.
6No distinction was made between persons who sought treatment from a homeopathic practitioner and those who self-medicated.
NOTES: Estimates were age-adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and using four age groups: 18–24, 25–44, 45–64, and 65 and over. The denominators for statistics shown exclude persons with unknown complementary and alternative medicine information. Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population.
SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2002, 2007, and 2012.