Use of complementary health approaches and research interests among older adults in the COSMOS trial.

Researchers surveyed over 16,000 older adults (average age 77.5 years) participating in the COSMOS study to understand how many use complementary health approaches like acupuncture, massage, meditation, herbal products, and spiritual practices. The study found that complementary therapies are extremely popular among older Americans: nearly 59% had used at least one approach in the past year, and over 76% had used one at some point in their lifetime. Spiritual practices were the most commonly used in the past year (39% of participants), while manual therapies like massage and chiropractic care were the most popular over a lifetime (52%). Acupuncture was included as one of the six major categories studied. Interestingly, half of the participants expressed interest in participating in research studies about these therapies, showing strong community support for better understanding these treatments. The researchers found that people with a history of falls or depression were more likely to use complementary approaches, suggesting older adults often turn to these therapies when dealing with specific health challenges. The study authors emphasized that because so many older adults use these treatments, more research is needed to understand their safety and effectiveness. They also noted the study participants were not highly diverse, so future research should include people from different backgrounds and communities. If you're considering acupuncture or other complementary therapies, work with a qualified, licensed practitioner who can coordinate care with your primary healthcare team.

This cross-sectional analysis of 16,144 COSMOS trial participants (median age 77.5 years) examined complementary health approach (CHA) utilization patterns and research interest. Results demonstrated high prevalence: 58.8% reported CHA use in the past 12 months and 76.4% lifetime use, with 50.4% expressing interest in CHA research participation. Six categories were assessed: manual therapies, mind-body therapies, herbal products, acupuncture, spiritual practices, and cannabis/psychedelics. Spiritual practices showed highest recent use (38.6%; 95% CI, 37.8-39.3), while manual therapies dominated lifetime prevalence (51.9%; 95% CI, 51.2-52.7). Multivariable logistic regression identified history of falls or depression as significant predictors of both recent and lifetime CHA use. Clinical implications include recognizing the widespread integration of CHA among older adults and the necessity for evidence-based guidance. Study limitations include limited generalizability to diverse and medically underserved populations, highlighting the need for inclusive integrative health research addressing safety, efficacy, and public health impact.