Icon Legend

This session is not in your schedule.

This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.

Presentation Icons

On Demand

In-Person

Livestream

Invite Only

Ticketed

Coffee Break

Meal

Reception

Rate ePoster31 Views

Pain and Spine Medicine

Session: Complementary Health Approach Use in a Demographically Representative Sample of U.S. Adults with Migraines

Complementary Health Approach Use in a Demographically Representative Sample of U.S. Adults with Migraines

Thursday, October 23, 2025

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM MT

Location: Open Kiosks

Primary Author(s)

Kyle Agostini, Other

OMS-III
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Holly Springs, North Carolina

Co-Author(s)

John DiCristo, Other

Medical Student
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Matthews, North Carolina

Poster Presenter(s)

AB

Andrew D. Bond, Other

Student
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina

Co-Author(s)

Abgail N. Heims (she/her/hers)

Student Doctor
Campbell University Jerry M Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Lillington, North Carolina
JC

James J. Cappola, III, MD

Chair and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Buies Creek, North Carolina
Thomas M. Motyka, DO, MHPE, MSc, FACP (he/him/his)

Assoicate Professor and Chair of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Campbell University
Buies Creek, North Carolina

Disclosure(s):

Kyle Agostini, Other: No financial relationships to disclose

Abgail N. Heims: No financial relationships to disclose

Thomas M. Motyka, DO, MHPE, MSc, FACP: No financial relationships to disclose

Background and/or Objectives: To examine the relationship between migraine headaches and complementary health approach (CHA) use in U.S. adults. We also assessed differences in treatment expectancy, favorability, and trust in CHAs versus conventional medicine among those with migraines.

Design: A quota-controlled, cross-sectional online study (N=3,022) reflecting 2024 U.S. census demographics, including medical history and socioeconomic data. Statistical analyses included Pearson Chi-Square tests, Welch t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression.

Setting : Online survey completed at participants' convenience.

Participants : U.S. adults were recruited via an online survey platform from Qualtrics, Inc.

Interventions: The primary comparison was between subjects with and without migraine within this cross-sectional sample.

Main Outcome Measures: We analyzed associations between migraines and CHA use, treatment expectancy, and favorability across 30 types of CHA comprising five categories: Physical, Psychological, Nutritional, Combined, and System-based. We also compared trust and satisfaction in CHAs versus conventional medicine. Adjusted logistic regression provided odds ratios and confidence intervals.

Results: Migraine sufferers were significantly more likely to use CHAs (OR = 4.84 [2.58-9.07]), with increased usage across all categories. Expected treatment benefits were lower for non-prescription diets (p = .0041), prayer (p = .0014), and tai chi (p = .0496), but higher for heat and cold therapies (p = .0302). Favorability for naturopathy was notably higher (p = .0022). Migraine sufferers reported lower extreme dissatisfaction (p = .0017) and more moderate trust in conventional medicine (p = .0001).

Conclusions: The increased reliance on CHAs among migraine sufferers highlights gaps in conventional care and the opportunity for an integrative approach. Future research should explore the factors driving CHA adoption, assess effectiveness, and examine evolving patient preferences.