by Rodrigo Alvaro Brandão Lopes-Martins  , Patrícia Sardinha Leonardo  and Kevin Mannoia

Received: 04 March 2025;  Published: 18 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502025

This article examines the complex relationship between the autonomic nervous system, the prefrontal cortex, and spiritual life, providing an interdisciplinary analysis in light of Galatians 5:16-25. Through a combination of theological reflection and insights from neuroscience, it explores how spiritual practices, such as meditation and prayer, influence emotional regulation, impulse control, and overall well-being. Studies in neuroscience have shown that regular spiritual practice can lead to measurable changes in [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 15 June 2025;  Published: 18 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502024

This editorial for the 27th ISLA Congress in Beverungen in Germany reflects on the development, achievements, and challenges of the International Society for Medical Laser Applications (ISLA-transcontinental) from the perspective of its President for Science and Research, Univ.-Prof. DDr. Gerhard Litscher. It reviews the organization’s milestones and growth while outlining future strategies for innovation, research, and international collaboration in medical laser technologies. The full keynote presentation is avai [...]

by Ludek Fiala  , Jiri Lenz  and Sarka Papadaki

Received: 28 December 2024;  Published: 06 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502023

This research focused on the evaluation of the relationship between the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in women. Sexual desire disorder is part of a group of sexual dysfunctions. A group of 60 women with a diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire were tested in the period from July 2023 to July 2024 at the Institute of Sexology of the 1st Faculty of Medicine in Prague. These patients were examined for levels of prolactin, sex hormone binding globulin, total testoster [...]

by Imogen Crook  , Richard J. Brown  and Tobyn Bell

Received: 05 March 2025;  Published: 19 May 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502022

Depression is a leading cause of disability with many individuals experiencing recurrent episodes of depression across their lifetime. Existing treatment approaches have varied degrees of effectiveness, and the value of social prescribing practices is being recognised. Given the persistent nature of depression, many individuals seek out alternative methods to manage their own symptoms. Open-water swimming is becoming increasingly popular as a means of supporting mental health. There is an emerging evidence base ind [...]

by Junfeng Zhang  , Yajie Li  , Qianghua Xue  , Wen He  , Chenchen Li  and Yanli Wang

Received: 21 January 2025;  Published: 12 May 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502021

Evidence suggests that regular moderate exercise can improve symptoms of depression and may enhance immune function, with an interesting role in cancer prevention and improved cancer-related prognosis; however, over-exercising may lead to overtraining and generate psychological symptoms that mimic depression, and may impair immune function. In this study, we chose swimming as an exercise form to conduct research. Swimming groups were divided into 5, 20, and 60 min day-1, and open field tests (OFT) were used to asse [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 26 April 2025;  Published: 29 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502020

This contribution honours the life and legacy of Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow (1942–2025), the founder of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) – a method that combines military medicine and traditional Eastern healing principles. Developed in the early 2000s for rapid, drug-free pain relief, BFA has since gained international recognition for its effectiveness and simplicity. The author reflects on the scientific collaboration with Dr. Niemtzow, which included advanced neurophysiological studies demonstrating BFA’s impact on pa [...]

by Zohar Gabay  , Tal Eliav  , Oded Hammerman  , Odelia Elkana  , Maor Epstein  , Erez Yaakobi  and Yacov Ezra

Received: 30 July 2024;  Published: 27 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502019

Hypnotherapy is effective for treating functional symptoms; however, some studies describe a paradoxical response to hypnotic relaxation. We hypothesized that functional patients who: 1) are aware of a stressful antecedent event and 2) recognize that stress is causing or exacerbating their symptoms would have reduced symptom-severity with hypnotic relaxation, whereas patients who do not perceive a stressful antecedent and do not recognize stress as causing symptoms, would more commonly experience paradoxical respon [...]

by Kajsa Landgren  , Hólmfríður Margrét Bjarnadóttir  , Helga Sif Friðjónsdóttir  and Jóhanna Bernharðsdóttir

Received: 19 December 2024;  Published: 15 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502018

Depression, insomnia, cravings, and anxiety are significant and often long-lasting health problems. As medication has limited effect and often side effects, complementary methods such as ear acupuncture are used in mental health care. To describe mental health care users' experiences of ear acupuncture, including ratings of sleep, anxiety, depression, stress, pain, and cravings. This mixed methods study included in- and outpatients at a mental health rehabilitation service in Iceland. Standardized ear acupuncture ( [...]

by Lindsay E. Turgeon-Brown

Received: 19 November 2024;  Published: 07 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502017

Teachers face at-work risk factors including compassion fatigue, burnout, dealing with violence, and a teacher shortage. A review of the literature shows that self-care can have positive benefits that mitigate and help to buffer these at-work risk factors This study examines teachers’ stories of self-care. The data suggests that self-care is a positive practice for teachers professionally and personally.

by Danielle Reilly  , Ibrahim Duyar  , Jackie McBride  and Robert Williams

Received: 09 September 2024;  Published: 24 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501016

The current study explored the adverse outcomes of secondary traumatic symptoms experienced by secondary school teachers on their compassion fatigue, burnout, sense of satisfaction, and intention to resign from the teaching profession in low SES schools in the United States context. The study was inspired by Ludick and Figley’s Compassion Fatigue and Resilience model and Figley’s work on Compassion Fatigue. A non-experimental design was employed, and data were gathered from a random sample of 131 teache [...]