Complementary therapy provision in a London community clinic for people living with HIV/AIDS: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
To present a case study of complementary therapy (CT) provision within a community HIV multi-agency service in a Northwest London deprived area.


METHODS
Anonymised routine service data were provided for all clients (n = 1030) August 2010 to October 2012. Face-to-face meetings provided feedback from volunteers (9 CT-using clients and 9 staff).


RESULTS
CT-users were demographically similar to other clients. Support for coping with HIV was commonly cited as a service benefit. Over 26 months 1416 CT sessions were provided; 875 aromatherapy and 471 shiatsu. CT-users' most common concerns were pain (48%), stress (15%) and insomnia (13%), few had heard of or used CT before. Perceived mental and emotional benefits included relaxation,stress relief, relieving musculoskeletal aches and pains. Service challenges included time and funding, though staff felt CT may be cost-effective.


CONCLUSIONS
CT may provide important support and treatment options for HIV disease, but cost effectiveness requires further evaluation.
London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK(1). Electronic address: lorenca@lsbu.ac.uk.
Ava
A
Lorenc
Brent CCG, Wembley Centre for Health & Care, 116 Chaplin Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 4UZ, UK.
Reetoo
R
Banarsee
London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK(1).
Nicola
N
Robinson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Community health services; Complementary therapy; HIV