New publication: Use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine in Berlin: baseline results from a substudy of the German National Cohort (NAKO)
Our latest publication in BMJ Public Health explores patterns of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) use among nearly 2,000 participants from the Berlin study centre of the German National Cohort (NAKO).
Our findings suggest that many people are not replacing conventional healthcare with TCIM but using these approaches alongside conventional care, particularly to help manage chronic conditions and support their overall wellbeing. A better understanding of who uses TCIM and the reasons behind its use can help healthcare professionals foster more open dialogue and promote more integrated, patient-centred care.
Our study found that more than half (52.2%) of participants reported using TCIM in the past year. The most commonly used approaches were meditation and relaxation practices, chiropractic/manual therapy, and yoga.
We also found that TCIM users were more likely to:
- Be women and have higher educational attainment.
- Live with chronic conditions, particularly chronic back pain, osteoarthritis, and mental health concerns.
- Take vitamin and mineral supplements.
Full publication (open access)
Grabowska W, Brinkhaus B, Roll S, Ortiz M, Keil T, Willich S, et al. Use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine in Berlin: baseline results from a substudy of the German National Cohort (NAKO). BMJ Public Health. 2026;4:e004323.