Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
www.pharmpress.com/fact
Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2006; 11: 17
The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of this patient decision aid (PDA) on decisional conflict (main outcome), knowledge, persistence for an option, congruence between one’s own values and choice as well as intention to disclose use of natural health products (NHPs) to a physician.
Ninety women between 45 and 64 years old reporting symptoms of menopause and considering the use of NHP were randomised to the PDA (intervention group) or an information leaflet about the menopause (control group). Baseline measures included decisional conflict using the decisional conflict scale, knowledge of NHPs, preference for a particular option and values important to the women in making a decision. The women were given a 2-week period to use to PDA. After this period the baseline measures were repeated and the women’s intention to disclose their use of NHP to a physician was assessed.
Complete data are currently available for 19 women in the PDA group and 21 in the control group. At baseline, there was no difference between the PDA and control groups on socio demographic variables and on decisional conflict. Follow up data shows no statistically significant difference between the two groups on change in decisional conflict with using the PDA. However, the size of the reduction in decisional conflict in the PDA group appears to be larger than in the control group.
Analysis of final results is currently been made. Preliminary results suggest the PDA may reduce decisional conflict more than the information leaflet.
