{
  "abstract": "Background: Headache disorders impose a substantial burden across Africa and West Asia, where limited access to healthcare may increase reliance on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The current study explored clinicians’ perspectives on CAM use, safety concerns, and research needs across countries with different income status.\n\nMethods: A cross-sectional web-based survey of 123 neurologists and headache specialists with at least 5 years of experience in headache management from 37 countries was carried out. They were classified into Low/Lower-Middle Income Countries (LIC/LMIC) and Upper-Middle Income Countries/High Income Countries (UMIC/HIC) groups in accordance with the World Bank income classifications.\n\nResults: Of 123 participants (median age 42 years; 50.4% males), 52.8% were from LICs/LMICs. Clinicians reported that CAMs were frequently used in both groups, and there was no significant difference in overall frequency of CAM use ( p = 0.116). Clinicians in both groups perceived migraine as the most common headache type for which patients used CAM. However, significant differences in CAM modalities were observed. Acupuncture (79.3% vs. 47.7%, p < 0.001), massage (86.2% vs. 63.1%, p = 0.004), yoga (56.9% vs. 20.0%, p < 0.001), and supplements (93.1% vs. 66.2%, p < 0.001) were reported by the clinicians as significantly higher in UMICs/HICs, whereas spiritual healing was significantly higher in LICs/LMICs (70.8% vs. 46.6%, p = 0.006). Clinicians reported that patients in LICs/LMICs were significantly more likely to consult CAM prior to seeking medical care (89.2% vs. 67.2%, p = 0.003), and perceived cost as a major factor influencing CAM use (81.5% vs. 27.6%, p < 0.001).\n\nConclusion: CAM appears to be commonly encountered in headache care across Africa and West Asia according to clinician reports. Although its use is shaped by cultural beliefs, accessibility, and perceived safety, concerns over unregulated products, herb-drug interactions, and delayed conventional medical treatments were also highlighted.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Neurology, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University",
    "Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital",
    "Department of Neurology, Headache Clinic",
    "NOROM Neuroscience and Excellence Center",
    "Neurologist Headache Specialist, Board Member of International Headache Society, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Atlas University",
    "Headache and Epilepsy Clinic, Past Head of Neurology and Neuroscience Department, Mohamed 6th University Hospital",
    "Department of Neurology, Um6p University",
    "CHU Constantine, Private Neurologist",
    "Consultant Neurologist and Neuro-interventionist, Aden University",
    "Department of Neurology, Gabes Hospital, Sfax University (Université de Sfax)",
    "Department of Neurology, Loandjili General Hospital",
    "Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University",
    "Department of Neurology, University of Parakou",
    "Muhimbili National Hospital",
    "Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Doula",
    "Department of Neurology, CHU Cocody, University Felix Houphouet",
    "University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital",
    "Neurology Specialist, Head of Neurology Department at Ali Omar Askar Hospital",
    "Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum",
    "Hôpital Militaire de Djibouti",
    "37 Military Hospital",
    "Department of Neurology, Nationale Reference Teaching Hospital",
    "Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, University of Gambia",
    "Department of Paediatrics, National Hospital Abuja",
    "Centre Hospitalier Universitaire",
    "Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala",
    "Department of Neurology, Hospital National Amirou Boubacar Diallo of Niamey",
    "Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital",
    "Hospital Central da Beira",
    "Department of Neurology, Université de Bangui",
    "Livingstone University Teaching Hospital",
    "Department of Neurology, Kuwait University",
    "Department of Neurology and Headache Fellowship, Headache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences",
    "Headache Department, Neurology Ward, Sina Hospital, Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences",
    "Khalidi Medical Center",
    "Migraine and Headache Specialist",
    "Department of Neurologist",
    "Neurology Consultant, Head of Neurology Department and Program Director of Neurology Saudi Board at Hear Hospital",
    "Neurology Consultant, MOH",
    "Public Health and Community Medicine, Beni-Suef University"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 39,
  "authors": [
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        0
      ],
      "name": "Amr Hassan"
    },
    {
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        1
      ],
      "name": "Freda Dodd-Glover"
    },
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        0
      ],
      "name": "Rehab Magdy"
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        2,
        3
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      "name": "Aynur Ӧzge"
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        4
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      "name": "Derya Uludüz"
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    {
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        5,
        6
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      "name": "Najib Kissani"
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    {
      "affs": [
        7
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      "name": "Ahmed Allioueche"
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    {
      "affs": [
        8
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      "name": "Aussan Al-Athwari"
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    {
      "affs": [
        9
      ],
      "name": "Emna Ellouz"
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    {
      "affs": [
        10,
        11
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      "name": "Sounga Bandzouzi Prince Eliot Galieni"
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        12
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      "name": "Mendinatou Agbetou"
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        13
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      "name": "Kigocha Okeng'o"
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      "name": "Daniel Gams Massi"
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        15
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      "name": "Evelyne Diarra"
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    {
      "affs": [
        15
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      "name": "Agbo Panzo Cedric"
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    {
      "affs": [
        16
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      "name": "Chiamaka Edith Okereke"
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    {
      "affs": [
        17
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      "name": "Wael Alwachi"
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    {
      "affs": [
        18
      ],
      "name": "Osheik Seidi"
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    {
      "affs": [
        19
      ],
      "name": "Kadira Abdi Aden"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        20
      ],
      "name": "Augustina Charway-Felli"
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    {
      "affs": [
        21
      ],
      "name": "Foksouna Sakadi"
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    {
      "affs": [
        22
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      "name": "John N. Jabang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        23
      ],
      "name": "Denis R. Shatima"
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    {
      "affs": [
        24
      ],
      "name": "Athanase Millogo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        25
      ],
      "name": "Magnerou Annick Melanie"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        26
      ],
      "name": "Fatimata Hassane Djibo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        27
      ],
      "name": "Tiwonge Elisa Phiri"
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    {
      "affs": [
        28
      ],
      "name": "Jamal Barros Baco"
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    {
      "affs": [
        29
      ],
      "name": "Grenaba-Duval Lewis Reinier Joël"
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    {
      "affs": [
        30
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      "name": "Frighton Mutete"
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    {
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        31
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      "name": "Jasem Alhashel"
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    {
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        32,
        33
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      "name": "Mansoureh Togha"
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    {
      "affs": [
        34
      ],
      "name": "Ammar Fayez Mubaidin"
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    {
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        35
      ],
      "name": "Sarkhan Amirguliyev"
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    {
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        36
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      "name": "Abderrahmane Moulaye"
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        37
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      "name": "Hana Kedah"
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    {
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        0,
        38
      ],
      "name": "Aya Alsayyad"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        39
      ],
      "name": "Doaa M. khalil"
    },
    {
      "name": "Mona Hussein"
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  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3y0ntp4344kb2.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fneur.2026.1849417",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13710024/",
  "id": "3y0ntp4344kb2",
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  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2707|Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies"
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  "openalex": "W7221725264",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1849417/pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13710024",
  "pmid": "42947770",
  "published": "2026-10-13",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3y0ntp4344kb2.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:16Z",
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "issn:1664-2295",
      "subfield": "neurology"
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  ],
  "title": "Clinicians’ perspectives on complementary and alternative medicine use in headache care across Africa and West Asia: a cross-sectional survey",
  "title_text": "Clinicians’ perspectives on complementary and alternative medicine use in headache care across Africa and West Asia: a cross-sectional survey",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-31T12:21:04Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3y0ntp4344kb2",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Neurology",
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