Abstract
BACKGROUND: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses a diverse range of healthcare practices that are increasingly integrated into mainstream health systems worldwide. Despite growing interest and utilization, comprehensive data on long-term trends in CAM usage within general populations last decade remain scarce. Addressing this gap, this study aims to examine the trends in prevalence, associations, and expenditure of CAM use within the general population between 2012 and 2024. METHODS: Data were collected from seven biennial cross-sectional surveys conducted by the marketing research companies Norstat and IPSOS in cooperation with the Norwegian National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM) between 2012 and 2024. The surveys targeted a representative sample of 1000 adult Norwegian citizens in each of the seven studies, employing computer-assisted telephone interviews. CAM use was assessed by visits to CAM providers, use of natural remedies and use of self-help practices over the past 12 months. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used to analyze the data, exploring associations between CAM usage and factors such as gender, age, education, income, and self-reported health. RESULTS: The study reveals fluctuating yet generally increasing CAM usage, with an average use of 40.3% over the 12-year period. Visits to CAM providers decreased, while self-help practices and natural remedies showed significant growth. Gender, age, education, and self-reported health significantly influenced CAM usage, with women, younger individuals, and those with higher education and poorer health reporting higher usage. Household income showed minimal impact on CAM usage. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the complex landscape of CAM usage in Norway, characterized by varying trends across different modalities. Despite economic fluctuations and regulatory changes, expenditure on CAM remained stable, underscoring the perceived importance of these therapies among users. TRIAL REGISTRATION : Not applicable.