by Rick Sá

Received: 02 April 2026;  Published: 24 June 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602022

Biofield Therapies (BTs), such as Reiki and Healing Touch, are used in integrative and complementary medicine, but their biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This review aimed to explore the physiological biomarkers modulated by BTs in a selected sample of studies to identify common patterns and elucidate potential mechanisms of action. A focused narrative synthesis of 14 intentionally selected studies was performed, encompassing various BT modalities, study designs (including randomized clinical trials, [...]

by Rick Sá  , Robison José Quitério  and Godofredo Pignataro Neto

Received: 23 March 2026;  Published: 02 June 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602021

Biofield therapies (BTs) including Reiki, Therapeutic Touch (TT), Healing Touch (HT), and External Qigong Treatment (EQT) are non-pharmacological interventions proposed to modulate putative energy fields surrounding the human body. Despite growing clinical interest, the evidence base remains methodologically heterogeneous. This study aimed to provide a rigorous synthesis of randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence on the efficacy of BTs for pain reduction and for the alleviation of symptoms associated with mental [...]

by Graeme Tainsh  and Katherine Baughan

Received: 11 October 2025;  Published: 28 May 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602020

A significant percentage of the population attending local adult psychology services have experienced variable forms of maltreatment from a young age and by a close attachment figure. For those who do not present with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, they may be misunderstood and offered a phase-based approach to their care. Although a stepped care approach to complex trauma is in keeping with current guidelines this often includes lengthy periods of group-based psychoeducation and skills development that o [...]

by Veronica L. Martinez-Marignac  , Jose Luis Favant  , Leonel Mondragon  and Gloria Oertlin

Received: 17 December 2025;  Published: 21 May 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602019

ESSIAC tea is a traditional multi-herb infusion or decoction widely used by cancer patients as a complementary therapy. Originally employed in traditional Ojibwa medicine, it was later reformulated by a Canadian nurse. The classic ESSIAC infusion contains four main botanicals: burdock root (Arctium lappa), Turkish rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), and slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra). Commercial variations (e.g., FlorEssence® and Genuine ESSIAC™) expand this list to include blessed this [...]

by Keith Tudor  and Maria Haenga-Collins

Received: 20 November 2025;  Published: 18 May 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602018

Positive mental health frameworks in Aotearoa New Zealand have largely been shaped by Western individualist assumptions and have given limited attention to Indigenous and bicultural understandings of wellbeing. This article examines positive mental health and its promotion in Aotearoa New Zealand, through a bicultural lens grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It reports on two cross-cultural mental health searches and discusses several models of health from te Ao Māori (the Māori world). Based on the view that positiv [...]

by Xiaying Wang  , Xiaoying Lv  , Kushal Malla  , Bingjun Chen  , Saroj Pradhan  , Ralf Bauder  , Yiming Li  and Michael Furian

Received: 24 November 2025;  Published: 18 May 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602017

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is often applied in isolated TCM practices, making rigorous research and standardized real-world data collection challenging. The purpose of this study was to implement the general consent (GC) in TCM practices, investigate the issue and the acceptance rate of the GC, and the influencing demographic factors. GC forms were distributed to patients before appointments and collected during their first visits. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate demographic facto [...]

by Katherine Lucre  , Neil Clapton  , Paul Gilbert  , Chris Jones  and Alex Copello

Received: 11 October 2025;  Published: 12 May 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602016

Individuals who have early attachment trauma can be fearful and resistant to caring behaviour from others and for themselves. This is partly because stimulation of the caring motivational system ignites trauma attachment memory. As a consequence, these individuals are unable to access care-attachment systems, supported by neurobiological processes involving the vagus nerve, oxytocin, and the frontal cortex, for modulating threats and regulating interpersonal distress. This paper outlines a Compassion Focused Group [...]

by Carolyn R. Ahlers-Schmidt  , Jessica Provines  , Marci Young  and Ashley Hervey

Received: 01 October 2025;  Published: 05 May 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602015

Perinatal mental health challenges are the number one complication of pregnancy and childbearing. Despite the growing need, substantial barriers to addressing perinatal mental health exist, including lack of infrastructure, policies, and workforce. Baby Talk, a free prenatal education program, sought to address this growing need through a brief intervention for those with a positive screening. Baby Talk partnered with a local suicide prevention program to develop a tool to enhance access to care and to support emot [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 19 April 2026;  Published: 20 April 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602014

The International Exchange of Professionals – Thematic Event in Medicine 2026, held in Athens, was a high-level interdisciplinary forum for clinical medicine, biomedical research, and translational innovation. Conducted at the Radisson Blu Park Hotel, the congress brought together more than 300 international experts from over 40 countries. It was organized under the auspices of the World High Technology Society in cooperation with BIT Group Global and the Shenzhen International Talent Exchange Center. The program i [...]

by Kamesha Spates  , Siobhán Hicks  , Bethanie Mauerman  and Na’Tasha Evans

Received: 14 September 2025;  Published: 07 April 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2602013

Studies show Black women exhibit distinct depression symptoms and treatment experiences compared to other groups, often facing underdiagnosis and inadequate care. Unfortunately, knowledge about Black women with depression has been underexplored. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of Black women’s experiences living with clinical depression. To address this objective, we conducted a survey among 28 Black women aged 18 years and older (mean age = 35) residing in the United States, [...]