by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 04 January 2026;  Published: 06 January 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601003

Understanding whether acupuncture can influence intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral hemodynamics remains a relevant and insufficiently explored question in contemporary neurovascular research. This editorial synthesizes early experimental observations with recent clinical and technological advances to reassess the cerebral effects of acupuncture from a modern perspective. Evidence from clinical studies indicates that acupuncture can alter cerebral blood flow velocity and regional perfusion, suggesting an inter [...]

by OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine Editorial Office

Received: 04 January 2026;  Published: 04 January 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601002

The editors of OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2025. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal's editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers can download a certificate of recognition directly from our submission system. Additionally, reviewers [...]

by Jennifer Vasquez  and April C. Bowie-Viverette

Received: 25 July 2025;  Published: 04 January 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601001

Research shows that trauma therapists often experience secondary trauma, which can lead to secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout. Trauma-informed care training has shown promise in enhancing practitioners' professional quality of life, particularly for those regularly exposed to trauma. To our knowledge, no prior studies have examined the training outcomes of NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) therapists on professional quality-of-life indicators. This cross-sectional observational study a [...]

by Victoria Flores  , Arjun Ramani  , Edwin Rodriguez  , Reid Hayward  and Laura Stewart

Received: 18 September 2025;  Published: 12 December 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504054

Complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) is commonly used by cancer survivors; however, patterns of use among individuals engaged in structured exercise rehabilitation remain understudied. This cross-sectional survey examined CIM use among 157 cancer survivors enrolled in a structured exercise-based rehabilitation program. CIM modality use (dependent variable) was grouped into herbal supplements, mind-body practices, and manipulative and body-based categories and analyzed with demographic and clinical character [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 08 December 2025;  Published: 09 December 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504053

Acupuncture has become an increasingly relevant complementary modality in modern gynecology and assisted reproduction. Its uses include the management of menstrual disorders, menopausal symptoms, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and others. Scientific progress in neurophysiology, laser acupuncture, and biomedical imaging has enabled a deeper understanding of the central and peripheral mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s effects. This editorial summarizes current evidence regarding physi [...]

by Soledad Banega  , Cintia Bertoncini  , Marcelo Guerin  and Alba Güerci

Received: 17 June 2025;  Published: 02 December 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504052

While radiotherapy is one of the main treatments for head and neck cancer, adverse effects limit its effectiveness and affect patients' quality of life. Although various radioprotective substances have been proposed, comprehensive strategies are needed to modulate radiotoxicity. In this regard, compounds from green tea (Camellia sinensis), with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties, could be suitable for optimizing the radiotherapy relationship. A descriptive, prospective study was conduc [...]

by Chia-Ying Chou  , Christine Valdez  , Trevor Sanchez Stevens  , Carol A. Mathews  and Martha Shumway

Received: 31 January 2025;  Published: 01 December 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504051

Severe trauma has a significant impact on self-attitudes and emotions, such as self-criticism and shame, and psychological symptoms. This topic has been more well studied among populations with Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders, but examined to a lesser extent in other clinical populations where adverse life events and potentially traumatic events are highly prevalent, such as Hoarding Disorder. The current study examined trauma exposure, and the relationships between trauma, self-criticism, shame, and symptom se [...]

by Poppy L.A. Schoenberg

Received: 26 May 2025;  Published: 26 November 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504050

Legacy, profit-driven organizational structures often lack the adaptability, equity, and innovation required for the evolving complexities of contemporary patient-centered care. They can limit access, constrain options, impose financial burdens, and hinder optimized delivery. Here, we propose a new architecture for metaversal integrative healthcare using decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Blockchain technology and smart contracts underpin equitable, transparent, and resilient health ecosystems beyond in [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 10 November 2025;  Published: 10 November 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504049

During this year’s World Congress on Medical Acupuncture, the ICMART (International Council of Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques) Science Award 2025 was presented in recognition of excellence in research and innovation within the field of medical acupuncture. The award honored pioneering work on acupuncture and moxibustion in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), conducted in collaboration with the team at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan. The study, a randomized controlled trial (RCT), showed that ac [...]

by Norbert Maurer  , Helmut Nissel  , Reginald Bittner  , Richard Crevenna  , Marion Mucha  , Erich Gornik  and Georg Feigl

Received: 11 November 2024;  Published: 09 November 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504048

Morphological evidence of peripheral glial cell involvement is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the presence of Schwann cells in acupuncture meridians. Eight legs of four unembalmed cadavers were used. Along the stomach meridian and a control meridian, quadrangular samples were taken from skin to the deep subcutaneous fascia and embedded in paraffin. 5 µm sections were stained for H&E and processed for immunolabeling using antibodies against S100 and NFP, respectively. In the stomach meridian, a large assembly o [...]