Use of Complementary Medicine Among US Adults with Post-COVID-19: Results from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and type of complementary medicine (CM) use as well as potential factors related to CM use in a representative sample of US adults with self-reported post-COVID-19. METHODS: This secondary data analysis was based on data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey 2022 (NHIS) regarding presence of post-COVID-19 symptoms and CM use in a representative adult sample (weighted n = 89,437,918). RESULTS: Our estimates indicate that 19.7% of those who reported having a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection experienced post-COVID-19 symptoms and 46.2% of those reported using any type of CM in the last 12 months. Specifically, post-COVID-19 respondents used most often mind-body medicine (32.0%), followed by massage (16.1%), chiropractic (14.4%), acupuncture (3.4%), naturopathy (2.2%) and art and/or music therapy (2.1%). Reporting post-COVID-19 was associated with an increased likelihood of using any CM in the last 12 months (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.03, 1.34], p = 0.014) and specifically to visit an art and/or music therapist (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI [1.58, 4.41], p < 0.001). The overall use of any CM was more likely among post-COVID-19 respondents under 65 years old, females, those with an ethnical background other than Hispanic, African-American, Asian or Non-Hispanic Whites, having a higher educational level, living in large metropolitan areas and having a private health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show a high prevalence of CM use among post-COVID-19 respondents which highlights the need for further investigations on effectiveness, safety and possible mechanisms of action.