Korean Journal of Family Medicine

Association between Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Fear of Cancer Recurrence among Breast Cancer Survivors: Esther Eun Hwa Kim, Jihun Kang; Korean J Fam Med 2022;43(2):132-140. Published online March 17, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.20.0158

Abstract
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Background
This study aimed to evaluate the association between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among breast cancer survivors, using a validated multidimensional FCR-assessing instrument. Despite the debate over its medical effects, the use of CAM in breast cancer survivors is increasing.
Methods
We recruited 326 breast cancer survivors who had completed the primary cancer treatment. Information on CAM use was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire, and FCR was assessed using the Korean version of the FCR Inventory (FCRI). Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between CAM use and FCR.
Results
CAM users had higher total FCR scores than CAM non-users after covariate adjustment (CAM users: 74.6 vs. CAM non-users: 68.7; P=0.047). Among the FCRI subscales, CAM users showed higher coping strategy scores (CAM users: 22.3 vs. CAM non-users: 20.6; P=0.034) in the multivariable adjusted analysis. The use of multiple types of CAM was associated with increased FCR in a dose-dependent manner (P=0.002).
Conclusion
Breast cancer survivors who used CAM had a higher FCR than CAM non-users. The dose-response relationship between the use of multiple types of CAM and FCR suggests that breast cancer survivors who use multiple types of CAM should be provided with appropriate psychological interventions to decrease FCR.

Citations

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Use of complementary health approaches and research interests among older adults in the COSMOS trial
Dennis Muñoz-Vergara, Yan Ma, EunMee Yang, Sarah Jaehwa Park, Wren M. Burton, Eunjung Kim, JoAnn E. Manson, Gloria Y. Yeh, Peter M. Wayne, Howard D. Sesso
The American Journal of Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Associations between Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Health-Related Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Health Behaviors in Cancer Survivors
Seo-Hee CHOI, Yeol KIM, Yu-Ri CHOE
Korean Journal of Health Promotion.2025; 25(3): 99. CrossRef
Critical Considerations Regarding the Article “Association between Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Fear of Cancer Recurrence among Breast Cancer Survivors”
Niloufar Johari Varnoosfaderani, Ehsan Amiri-Ardekani
Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2023; 44(1): 66. CrossRef
Use of complementary and alternative medicine for reducing fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors: Does it work?
Heliang Wu, Adnan Rashid Aziz, Mahlagha Dehghan, Leyla Ahmadi Lari, Rasmieh Al-Amer, Mohammad Ali Zakeri
Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing.2023; 10(10): 100278. CrossRef
Adherence to lifestyle recommendations among Norwegian cancer survivors and the impact of traditional and complementary medicine use: the Tromsø Study 2015–2016
Kiwumulo Nakandi, Faith O. Benebo, Laila A. Hopstock, Trine Stub, Agnete E. Kristoffersen
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.2023;[Epub] CrossRef

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Validation of the Korean Integrative Medicine Attitude Questionnaire (IMAQ): Jung-Ha Kim, Jung-Bok Lee, Duk-Chul Lee; Korean J Fam Med 2011;32(3):197-204. Published online March 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2011.32.3.197

Background

To develop a Korean version of the Integrative Medicine Attitude Questionnaire (IMAQ) in order to evaluate physician attitudes toward integrative medicine/complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Methods

We developed a Korean IMAQ through careful translation of the 28-item questionnaire developed by Schmidt et al. A web-based survey was sent via email to 118 primary care physicians in Korea. The complete respose rate wasa 52.5%. The questionnaire's reliability and validity were verified using Cronbach's α, factor analysis, and discriminant analysis.

Results

Although the Korean IMAQ exhibited excellent internal consistency, its validity was insufficient. Our results suggest that Western and Korean physicians may have different understandings of CAM and the concept of holism, as factor analysis showed that incorrectly classified items were mainly part of the holism conceptual domain. Furthermore, the sum of the items within the holism conceptual domain was not significantly different for physicians who had previously received CAM education.

Conclusion

This study developed and tested the first Korean IMAQ. We found that this version of the questionnaire lacks sufficient validity and requires further modification.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Attitudes of medical students toward the practice and teaching of integrative medicine
Gerard Flaherty, Jenny Fitzgibbon, Peter Cantillon
Journal of Integrative Medicine.2015; 13(6): 412. CrossRef
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in children: a telephone-based survey in Korea
Jung-Ha Kim, Chung-Mo Nam, Moo-Young Kim, Duk-Chul Lee
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2012;[Epub] CrossRef
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Education for Medical Profession: Systematic Review
Nana K. Quartey, Polly H. X. Ma, Vincent C. H. Chung, Sian M. Griffiths
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2012; 2012: 1. CrossRef

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Clinical utility of live blood analysis.: June Hyek Kang, Jae Yong Sim, Hang Suk Cho, Dong Hee Ko, Sun Hyen Kim, Hye Ree Lee; J Korean Acad Fam Med 2001;22(1):70-77. Published online January 1, 2001

Abstract
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Background
: Recently live blood analysis was populated in korean society. So we evaluated clinical utility of Live blood analysis, as compared the Live blood analysis result of patients who have confirmed diagnosis of disease with that of controls who have no known health problems.

Methods : We carried out Live blood analysis to patients(n=30) who was entered to an admission in Yongdong severance hospital from February 2000 to March 2000 and to controls (n=30) who worked in that hospital at same time. We examined 3 abnormal finding; rouleau formation, spicule, protoplast, which were often observed in Live blood analysis.

Results : At comparison of parient group and control grup, rouleau formation was observed in 27 patients except 3 partients and it was observed in all 30 controls. Spicule was observed 2 in 9 partients except 1 patients and it was observed in all 30 controls. Protoplast was observed in 16 patients and 13 controls. There was no difference between patients and controls in observing 3 abnormal fingding.

Conclusion : We conclude that Live blood analysis may have no clinical significance.