Use of Complementary Health Approaches Among Children Aged 4–17 Years in the United States: National Health Interview Survey, 2007–2012

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Natl Health Stat Report. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2015 Sep 8.

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Natl Health Stat Report. 2015 Feb 10; (78): 1–19.

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Table 4

Frequencies and age-adjusted percentages of children aged 4–17 years who used selected types of complementary health approaches to treat a condition among those who used any complementary health approach in the past 12 months: United States, 2007 and 2012

	2007	2012
Complementary health approach	Age-adjusted percent (standard error)^¹	Age-adjusted percent (standard error)^¹	p value
Any complementary health approach	44.2 (2.66)	45.6 (2.16)	^{^†}
Acupuncture	53.9 (14.71)	70.1 (17.83)	^{^†}
Naturopathy	^{^‡}50.0 (17.70)	66.0 (6.47)	^{^†}
Homeopathy treatment	88.8 (4.07)	62.9 (5.26)	^{^§}
Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation	59.8 (5.21)	62.1 (3.86)	^{^†}
Biofeedback	42.1 (16.36)	59.7 (21.93)	^{^†}
Massage therapy	40.0 (8.77)	42.6 (8.70)	^{^†}
Nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplements	49.4 (5.59)	35.5 (3.47)	^{^§}
Special diets^²	^{^‡}	25.9 (7.36)	^{^†}
Traditional healers^³	^{^‡}14.4 (4.61)	^{^‡}23.5 (8.85)	^{^†}
Movement therapies^⁴	^{^‡}	^{^‡}11.1 (3.98)	^{^†}
Energy healing therapy	57.9 (13.44)	^{^‡}	^{^†}
Hypnosis	78.3 (19.11)	^{^‡}	^{^†}

^†Difference is not statistically significant.

^‡Estimates are considered unreliable. Data have a relative standard error (RSE) greater than 30% and less than or equal to 50% and should be used with caution. Data not shown have an RSE greater than 50%.

^§p value less than 0.001.

¹The denominators used in the calculation of percentages were children who used each selected type of complementary health approach.

²Special diets include vegetarian (including vegan), macrobiotic, Atkins, Pritikin, and Ornish diets for both 2007 and 2012.

³Traditional healers in 2007 include Curandero, Espiritista, Hierbero or Yerbera, Shaman, Botanica, Native American Healer or Medicine Man, and Sobador. Traditional healers in 2012 include Curandero, Machi, or Parchero; Yerbero or Hierbista; Shaman; Native American Healer or Medicine Man; Sobador; and Huesero.

⁴Movement therapies include Feldenkrais, Alexander technique, Pilates, and Trager psychophysical integration for both 2007 and 2012.

NOTES: Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Estimates are age-adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and using two age groups: 4–11 and 12–17.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2007, 2012