Perspectives on Traditional and Complementary Medicine Among Orthopedic Outpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 121 - 126, 27.08.2025

Sönmez Sağlam , Mücahid Osman Yücel , Raşit Emin Dalaslan , Zekeriya Okan Karaduman , Mehmet Arıcan , Yunus Emre Bulum

https://doi.org/10.53811/ijtcmr.1702613

Abstract

Objective: Traditional and complementary treatment (T&CT) methods are widely used by individuals with musculoskeletal disorders, yet limited data exist regarding their utilization patterns and associated factors among orthopedic patients in Türkiye. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, types, and determinants of T&CT use among patients attending an orthopedic outpatient clinic.
Material-Method:
This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Düzce University Faculty of Medicine between October 1, 2024, and February 1, 2025. A total of 734 patients were screened, and 138 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Data were collected using a structured, literature-based questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0, and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
The mean age of participants was 50.7 ± 12.3 years, and 72.5% were female. The most frequently used T&CT methods were wet cupping (87.7%), leech therapy (42.0%), and ozone therapy (21.7%). Nearly half of the patients (49.3%) had undergone T&CT three or more times. Statistically significant associations were found between female gender and both leech therapy (p = 0.0021) and acupuncture (p = 0.0237). Willingness to reuse T&CT was more common among those treated by informal practitioners (p = 0.0496).
Conclusion:
T&CT use is highly prevalent among orthopedic patients. Gender, education level, and type of provider influence treatment preferences. These findings underscore the importance of integrating safe and regulated T&CT approaches into orthopedic care pathways.

Keywords

Traditional medicine , complementary therapy , orthopedic patients , musculoskeletal pain

Ethical Statement

Prior to data collection, the study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Düzce University (Approval No:2024/177 Date: 02 September 2024).

Ortopedi Polikliniğine Başvuran Hastaların Geleneksel ve Tamamlayıcı Tıbba Bakış Açıları: Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tedavi (T&T) yöntemleri kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıkları olan bireyler tarafından yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır, ancak Türkiye'deki ortopedi hastaları arasında kullanım şekilleri ve ilişkili faktörler hakkında sınırlı veri mevcuttur. Bu çalışmanın amacı, bir ortopedi polikliniğine başvuran hastalar arasında T&CT kullanımının yaygınlığını, türlerini ve belirleyicilerini araştırmaktır.
Materyal-Metod:
Bu kesitsel tanımlayıcı çalışma, 1 Ekim 2024 ile 1 Şubat 2025 tarihleri arasında Düzce Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi'nde gerçekleştirildi. Toplam 734 hasta tarandı ve dahil edilme kriterlerini karşılayan 138 katılımcı çalışmaya dahil edildi. Veriler, yüz yüze görüşmeler yoluyla uygulanan yapılandırılmış, literatüre dayalı bir anket kullanılarak toplanmıştır. İstatistiksel analiz SPSS 25.0 kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiş ve p-değeri <0.05 anlamlı kabul edilmiştir.
Bulgular:
Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 50,7 ± 12,3 yıl ve %72,5'i kadındı. En sık kullanılan T&CT yöntemleri ıslak hacamat (%87,7), sülük tedavisi (%42,0) ve ozon tedavisi (%21,7) idi. Hastaların yaklaşık yarısı (%49,3) üç veya daha fazla kez T&CT yaptırmıştır. Kadın cinsiyet ile hem sülük tedavisi (p = 0.0021) hem de akupunktur (p = 0.0237) arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuştur. T&CT'yi tekrar kullanma isteği, gayri resmi uygulayıcılar tarafından tedavi edilenler arasında daha yaygındı (p = 0.0496).

Sonuç
Ortopedi hastaları arasında T&CT kullanımı oldukça yaygındır. Cinsiyet, eğitim düzeyi ve sağlayıcı tipi tedavi tercihlerini etkilemektedir. Bu bulgular, güvenli ve düzenlenmiş T&CT yaklaşımlarının ortopedik bakım yollarına entegre edilmesinin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

Geleneksel tıp , tamamlayıcı tedavi , ortopedi hastaları , kas-iskelet sistemi ağrıları

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