by Beren Crim Sabuncu  , Ankica Kosic  and Amy L. Ai

Received: 20 January 2024;  Published: 15 October 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404059

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought forth global challenges in socioeconomic, political, and public health dimensions. For many, spirituality was a powerful source of support during this pandemic experience. The current review provides an apt overview of spirituality as a coping method to mitigate the mental and emotional impact of global turmoil of Covid-19 within the context of Europe. Using select studies from Czechia, Italy, and Turkey which have low, middle, and high religiosity indexes respectively, the potenti [...]

by Nevin J. Harper  and Will W. Dobud

Received: 21 June 2024;  Published: 07 November 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404065

Humans are integrally connected to, yet in many ways disconnected from, nature. Across cultures, nature has been celebrated and revered in religion, traditions, rituals and community connectedness. While unfavorable conditions in nature can cause harm, closer contact with nature has been shown to reduce stress, strengthen immune systems, and improve mental health and physical wellbeing. This paper briefly describes outdoor therapies and a range of nature-based interventions assisting practitioners in serving their [...]

by OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine Editorial Office

Received: 02 April 2022;  Published: 18 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2202018

Interview with Dr. James David Adams. The skin is where pain is sensed and where chronic pain is created. The safest and most effective treatment for pain is topical plant medicines. Chronic pain can be cured with topical plant medicines. Transient receptor potential cation channels in the skin sense pain. Chronic pain involves a pain chemokine cycle. Monoterpenoids and diterpenoids from plants can stop this pain chemokine cycle and cure chronic pain.

by Sarah L. Wells  and Raymond H. Baillargeon

Received: 31 May 2024;  Published: 08 February 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501009

Disruptive behavior problems (DBPs) in young children are early indicators of potential disruptive behavior disorders (DBD), which can lead to negative health and social outcomes. Secondary prevention strategies that target DBPs may facilitate early interventions and reduce these risks. Current Canadian pediatric practice guidelines provide an example one such strategy and suggest screening for DBPs only if a child’s parent reports concerns about their behavior. This systematic review sought to determine if parents [...]

by Thao N. Le  and Emma L. Brown

Received: 18 June 2024;  Published: 23 December 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404070

This qualitative study explores the mental health challenges faced by Hawaiʻi farmers and allied agricultural producers, focusing on the main stressors they encountered and the coping mechanisms they employed. Through interviews with 77 farmers across all four counties, data revealed that significant stressors for Hawaiʻi farmers were legislative and policy issues, financial and economic concerns, as well as pests and diseases. Farmers employed various coping strategies to mitigate stress, primarily along the lines [...]

by OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine Editorial Office

Received: 04 January 2024;  Published: 05 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401005

Food insecurity and insufficient access to affordable nutrition have been associated with increased risk for the development of multiple chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease. In this narrative review, we explore the association between food insecurity and the development of chronic medical conditions that confer increased cardiometabolic risk, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. We also identify the various barriers leading to food insecurity and lack of food literacy, with an emphasis on [...]

by OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine Editorial Office

Received: 18 September 2022;  Published: 20 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203043

Interview with Dr. Sok Cheon Pak. Dr Pak as a physiologist currently leads and guides research into nutraceuticals to provide relevant and impactful clinical applications. The best example is the rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC). RBAC is a functional food produced from hydrolysed rice bran denatured with shiitake mushroom enzymes. RBAC demonstrates strong immunomodulatory properties, particularly for enhancing the natural killer cell activity. Additionally, RBAC is a potent antiproliferative food supplement w [...]

by Koré Monsterrat Moreno-Calderón  , Alfredo Saavedra-Molina  , Mariana Gómez-Barroso  , Donovan Javier Peña-Montes  , Christian Cortés-Rojo  , Alain R. Rodríguez-Orozco  , Omar Ortiz-Ayala  and Rocío Montoya-Pérez

Received: 08 January 2024;  Published: 10 July 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403040

An excess of adipose tissue characterizes obesity; it is associated with complications such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases due to an alteration in the lipid profile; this condition affects all tissues; even skeletal muscle is the most affected, causing its malfunction and bringing more significant consequences. Exercise has been described as one of the best treatments to combat obesity. At the same time, E. carlinae is a plant proven to have lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic effects, improving the function o [...]

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 Dorcas N. Magai  and Hans M. Koot

Received: 29 May 2024;  Published: 29 November 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404068

This cross-sectional study addressed the association between parental and family characteristics as risk factors for emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) and quality of life (QoL) and the potential moderation of these associations by adolescents' characteristics. A total of 533 households from Central Kenya with adolescents between 12 to 18 years (median age 15 years) and their mothers (or female caregivers) were included in this study. Adolescents and their mothers completed questionnaires on parent and family [...]

by Maria Kosma

Received: 06 April 2025;  Published: 17 July 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503032

Contrary to the dominant ultra-cognitive approach in public health whereby only thought processes are supposed to link to action (e.g., physical activity) and health, in this research an embodied (body-mind unison) philosophy was examined by showcasing the importance of holistic and performative movement experiences to health and well-being. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to comprehensively examine the interrelated, multiple, and embodied benefits of a community-based aerial sling class (“Flow”) on bod [...]

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 Gerhard Litscher

Received: 19 July 2023;  Published: 21 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303031

The editorial lists 10 important topics that need to be considered more closely in the future in acupuncture research.

by Rodolfo Pessina  , Fabrizia Colmegna  , Massimo Clerici  and Ester di Giacomo

Received: 26 December 2023;  Published: 13 June 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2402034

Therapeutic termination of pregnancy (TToP) is performed for maternal health risks or severe fetal malformations. Research focuses on women's psychopathological outcomes after TToP, noting that 10-22% of women experience psychiatric disorders, especially depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, little is known about paternal mental outcomes. This study analyzed biological fathers' mental health at a 1-year follow-up after TToP. Results indicate biological fathers show no alarming psyc [...]

by David Cawthorpe

Received: 04 March 2025;  Published: 11 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503038

This paper presents a unifying transcultural perspective on human illness, health and wellbeing by integrating insights from cognitive psychology, existential psychotherapy, Zen philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and quantum consciousness theory. Kahneman and Tversky’s work on heuristics and biases highlights cognitive constraints shaping decision-making, while Yalom’s existential therapy explores fundamental struggles with death, freedom, and meaning. Watts’ Zen philosophy critiques the illusion of eg [...]

by Jennifer Vasquez  , Michele Quill  and Chase Bossart

Received: 17 January 2025;  Published: 14 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501014

In this qualitative study, the impact of therapeutic Viniyoga on health and healing was explored from the perspective of 14 Viniyoga therapists who were interviewed on their perceptions of how yoga therapy contributes to the health and healing of their clients. A philosophical definition of Therapeutic Viniyoga was developed. Three themes related to health and healing from the perspective of Viniyoga therapists were identified using NVivo and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis procedures: The definition of he [...]

by Changiz Mohiyeddini  , Elizabeth Carlson  , Deena Sukhon  , Wesam Almarsi  , Marwa Saad  , Daniel Eshun  and Stephanie Baker

Received: 27 May 2024;  Published: 22 October 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404062

Moral injury refers to a complex psychological condition that is assumed to emerge following exposure to distressing events that challenge the moral values or ethical beliefs of individuals by direct commission, omission, observation, or betrayal by a trusted leader. Moral injury can be found across various occupational domains, such as military, healthcare, and law enforcement. Symptoms of moral injury can include guilt, a sense of moral disorientation, struggle with spiritual or existential issues, and more. This [...]

by Angie Huber  , Nicole Schroeder  , Dave Verhoff  and Andrew Parsons

Received: 21 June 2024;  Published: 19 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403052

The Health-Focused Physical Therapy Model integrates lifestyle behavior management into physical therapy practice using a standardized care model and motivational patient interviewing. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceived opportunities and barriers physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and rehab administrators may face when implementing the model. This study included a survey of 19 physical therapy clinicians, and interviews with four rehabilitation administrators from one healthcar [...]

by María del Valle del Olmo de Dios  , Alfonso Roberto Barros-Loscertales  and Laura Laguna Cruañes

Received: 25 September 2023;  Published: 05 July 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403039

Mediterranean diet, considered key to varied diets, raises whether it is necessary to supplement it with compounds like nutraceuticals to obtain more benefits. A scoping review was conducted. Nine articles were selected that compared the effects of nutraceuticals on biochemical markers (such as total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc)), weight, and blood pressure in various studies to the results observed in groups only exposed to the Mediterranean diet. The aim was to assess the impact of [...]

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 Hester O Connor

Received: 22 May 2024;  Published: 28 October 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404063

Therapeutic presence brings one’s whole self into the encounter with another in the therapy room. It is a fundamental aspect of the relationship between therapist and client, the cornerstone of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. Therapeutic presence can be strengthened through spirituality, meditation, mindfulness, or other practices such as the intention to enhance the therapeutic encounter for both client and therapist. Despite its importance, standard experimental techniques cannot readily measure and invest [...]

by Tracie D. Parkinson  and Stephen D. Smith

Received: 11 March 2025;  Published: 23 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503039

Hatha yoga is a common style of yoga used for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits, enhancing quality of life and well-being. The current study used a randomized control trial (RCT) to investigate whether completing an eight-week posture-based Hatha yoga program would lead to greater psychological benefits than taking part in an eight-week lecture series about the history and philosophy of yoga. Fifty-five participants (42 female, age range 18-32) completed five self-report measures both before and a [...]

by Alexander Tournier  , Yvonne Fok  , Robbert van Haselen  and Aaron To

Received: 29 February 2024;  Published: 29 July 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403043

Little systematic research has been conducted into the symptomatic expression of COVID-19 infections in patients. It is known that symptomatic expression varies between patients, but the nature and extent of this variability is poorly understood. This paper elaborates on the symptoms reported by Chinese patients infected with COVID-19 during the Omicron wave, and compares this with available data from other countries. This was an observational clinical case registry study of Chinese patients with suspected Omicron [...]

by OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine Editorial Office

Received: 05 January 2023;  Published: 05 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301003

The editors of OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2022. 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 receive a voucher entitling them to a discount on their next LIDSEN publication and can download a cer [...]

by Waqar Husain

Received: 30 May 2025;  Published: 10 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503037

Honor and shame function as moral currencies in many collectivistic cultures, shaping individual behavior, gender roles, and psychosocial well-being. This paper introduces Atimiaphobia—a newly proposed specific phobia defined as the intense and persistent fear of losing honor (particularly for men) or being labeled as shameless (particularly for women). Rooted in patriarchal, collectivist, and honor-based cultures, atimiaphobia manifests through intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, emotional turmoil, and compu [...]

by Corrado Angelini

Received: 06 February 2024;  Published: 21 June 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2402035

An 83-year-old man with myasthenia gravis was hospitalized in the ICU; support for caregivers of elderly myasthenic patients in the ICU can be a crucial aspect of their care. Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that can cause varying levels of muscle weakness, which can significantly impact the patient's day-to-day activities and overall quality of life. This intervention was followed for over one month with success. The critical phases are presented and analyzed as a medical support art [...]

by Eli Cwinn  and Kayla Hamel

Received: 22 January 2024;  Published: 10 July 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403041

This paper argues that psychology, as a discipline, requires research to be situated in the context of a content-based theory. We identify several problems and pitfalls with requiring a content-based theory for applied mental health research, a priori. Nonetheless, we also articulate a rationale for why theory matters and that a new sort of theoretical framework is required for applied mental health research. We address this need by articulating a new theoretical framework called Applied Pragmatic Functional Contex [...]

by Annie J. Keeney  , Anabel Rodriguez  , Jaime Murillo  and Savannah S. Ingold

Received: 20 August 2024;  Published: 06 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501002

Farmworkers are the backbone of the agricultural economy in the US yet are disproportionately burdened with economic-related stress and adverse behavioral health outcomes. How these stressors translate to children and family well-being is poorly understood. Grounded in Transactional Stress and Coping Theory, we aimed to understand how children and families adapt and respond to the stressors associated with farm labor occupations in a rural, underserved, bi-national community. We utilized focus groups with adult chi [...]

by Antonella Sansone  , Peta Stapleton  , Alan Patching  and Zoe Lawrence

Received: 21 May 2025;  Published: 26 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504046

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of significant transition for women, with changes in maternal physical and mental health. The relationship between a mother and her infant has been recognised as laying the foundation for later child development. There is considerable evidence that this early relationship is influenced by a woman’s wellbeing during pregnancy and in the early post-partum period. Mindfulness has been found to have positive health outcomes, primarily in reducing maternal stress, anxiety, a [...]

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 Gerhard Litscher

Received: 07 July 2025;  Published: 10 July 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503030

With the passing of Prof. Dr. Frank Bahr, the field of complementary medicine has lost one of its most influential personalities. As a pioneer of auricular medicine in the German-speaking world, he helped shape the field of integrative medicine over many decades. This tribute by Prof. DDr. Gerhard Litscher honors Bahr's work, his convictions, and the legacy of a visionary whose impact on energy and spiritual medicine endures.

by Ali Asghar Fallahi  and Shahnaz Shekarforoush

Received: 27 November 2024;  Published: 05 August 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503034

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, prompting extensive research into effective methods for treatment and prevention. Among these, exercise training and physical activity are widely recognized as the safest and most effective strategies for improving health. Specifically, exercise training has been explored for its role in cardioprotection, particularly in reducing damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and myocardial infarction (MI). Both high-intensity interval trainin [...]

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 Jennifer Vasquez  , Michele Quintin Quill  and Chase Bossart

Received: 30 May 2024;  Published: 23 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403054

While many studies have discussed the effectiveness of interventions using different yoga techniques and teachings with various populations, there has been less research on the effectiveness of yoga therapy. Viniyoga therapists utilize the principles of Viniyoga, a type of yoga developed by Krishnamacharya, to provide therapeutic yogic interventions to individual clients in order to improve functioning and relieve suffering. This qualitative study conducted interviews with fourteen Viniyoga trained yoga therapists [...]

by Pamela Whitaker

Received: 07 June 2024;  Published: 25 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403056

This concept paper is proposing the inclusion of the home studio as an art making location for art therapy trainees who assemble personal belongings, within the context of their domestic lives. A collection of belongings can become an installation which brings together associations to identities in juxtaposition. The material culture of art therapy trainees, the objects which they live by, is a new contribution to art therapy pedagogy, as it designates the art of personal collections as a life archive (or accumulat [...]

by Marcus A. Henning  , Philippa Miskelly  , Marta Gil-Lacruz  , Gary Cheung  , Frederick Sundram  and Ruth Teh

Received: 11 June 2025;  Published: 29 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504047

Across the globe, countries are facing an ageing boom, with the proportion of the older adult population growing compared to younger age groups because of increased life expectancy and declining birth rates. Along with the ageing boom, there is increased interest in the wellbeing of older adults. Healthy ageing and social frailty are two constructs that have emerged in studying older adults and their quality of life. In this paper, we critically review salient literature defining and describing healthy ageing and s [...]

by Kathryn Curtis  , Hance Clarke  , Daniel Santa Mina  , Gitte Bechsgaard  , Aliza Weinrib  , Jennifer Jones  , Darren Au  and Joel Katz

Received: 29 April 2025;  Published: 30 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503041

The objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a specialized Iyengar-informed yoga intervention for individuals who experience chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP). This prospective, multi-wave pilot RCT was pre-registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03460028) and designed in accordance with the 2010 CONSORT statement. Participants (N = 21) with CPSP were out-patients or community members affiliated with a Toronto hospital. Participants were randomized to an 8-wee [...]

by Jacqueline B. Sperling  , Abigail M. Stark  and Julianne G. Wilner

Received: 27 January 2025;  Published: 26 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502028

School avoidance is associated with a range of negative outcomes and has been increasing in youth in the past several decades. This study examined the efficacy of an intensive outpatient CBT program, for youth (N = 137, ages 8-19) with anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and compared both baseline symptoms and outcomes for youth with school avoidance compared to those without. At admission, results indicated that parents of children with school avoidance reported higher levels of family accommo [...]

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 Patricia LH Tay  , Eva LK Kerk  , Mandy MY Lau  and Soon-Noi Goh

Received: 30 April 2024;  Published: 04 November 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404064

Hospital social workers commonly experience empathy fatigue and burnout at work. However, empathic distress can be reversed by cultivating compassion as a skill and learning how to turn empathy into compassion. This report explores how 60 staff used Compassion Mind Training (CMT) to promote workplace mental health for hospital social workers. It recommends building a workplace culture of compassion through CMT using various ways to reinforce individual and organizational commitments. This helps create a sense of p [...]

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 Jane C. Johnson  , Carol K. Smith  and Brian F. Degenhardt

Received: 14 March 2024;  Published: 27 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403057

Acute stress during medical school affects medical student well-being. The objective of the current study was to examine the influence of a holistic, school-sponsored student wellness program (SWP) on acute stress during the first year of medical school. First-year medical students attending two osteopathic medical schools participated, one school with a holistic student wellness program (SWP group) and one without an organized student wellness program (Control group). The SWP was founded on osteopathic philosophy [...]

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 Gerhard Litscher

Received: 15 October 2025;  Published: 16 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504044

The International Exchange of Professionals – Thematic Event in Life Science, held on October 15-17, 2025, in Nice, France, inaugurated a global congress series focused on frontier topics in biomedical sciences. This editorial summarizes the first day of the event, including the opening ceremony, keynote forum, and welcome banquet. With more than 150 participants from over 35 countries, the event created a platform for cross-disciplinary exchange and collaboration. Key themes included translational medicine, neurom [...]

by Jodi Coon-Robeson  , Jaicee Williamson  , Anna Kate Edgemon  and John T. Rapp

Received: 20 May 2024;  Published: 04 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403049

Previous studies have shown that the use of a three-color (red, yellow, and green) rating system of child behaviors by caregivers can help facilitate deprescribing of psychotropic medications in foster youth. Using a similar three-color rating system within a state-funded project, we assessed whether there was a day of the week when 48 foster youth consistently displayed challenging behavior. For each foster child, we used conditional probability analyses to determine if there was a day of the week with an increase [...]

by James D Adams

Received: 09 February 2025;  Published: 10 February 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501010

Medicines used in pain and chronic pain are aimed at relieving neuroinflammation. This neuroinflammation can occur in the brain, brain stem, dorsal root ganglion and other sites. What causes neuroinflammation? Why does this neuroinflammation last for years? Are there cures for neuroinflammation?

by Cheryl Armstrong  , Katarina Friberg-Felsted  , Jennifer Macali  , Jennifer Clifton  and Sara E. Simonsen

Received: 02 July 2024;  Published: 26 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501008

The COVID-19 pandemic presented major changes for individuals working in nursing academia. While university faculty and staff encountered many challenges, the pandemic also presented new opportunities. The purpose of this study was to determine how the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted nursing faculty and staff perceptions about their wellness experiences. An on-line survey was developed and sent to all faculty and staff. Data were collected through a convenience sample using both open-ended and closed [...]

by Oteja Lightheart  and Helané Wahbeh

Received: 09 August 2025;  Published: 07 January 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601004

Older adults in the U.S. have higher rates of depression, stress, and chronic diseases. There is an urgent need for effective interventions to reduce depressive symptoms and enhance overall health and well-being. Meditation presents an appealing therapeutic option due to its cost-effectiveness, minimal risks, ease of use, and active patient involvement, with growing evidence indicating its effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms. Online platforms may provide more accessible options for meditation intervention [...]

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 Ellen Zhang  and Gerhard Litscher

Received: 11 September 2024;  Published: 11 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403050

In this interview Professor Gerhard Litscher discusses how new technologies like laser acupuncture and electroacupuncture, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics are revolutionizing acupuncture by enhancing precision and personalization. He emphasizes the potential for digital tools to improve treatment outcomes and training while maintaining the human aspect of this holistic practice. Litscher highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing education to successfully integrate these inn [...]

by Anastasia Gyimah  , Chinyere Ajayi  and Peggy Mulongo

Received: 23 January 2025;  Published: 17 July 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503031

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) are amongst the most vulnerable populations worldwide, facing significant psycho-social and mental health challenges influenced by pre-migration, migration, and post-migration experiences. This narrative review examines the structural, legal, and practical factors affecting UASC, focusing on their lived experiences within the UK’s asylum system. Key areas explored include trauma caused by forced migration (pre-, during and post-migration), ethical dilemmas surrounding ag [...]

by Pamela Whitaker

Received: 11 May 2025;  Published: 28 July 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503033

Performance art is both a visual arts practice and kinaesthetic approach to place-based health. The perspective of this commentary is to promote the attributes of performance art to showcase its capacity to extend people into new configurations of cultural engagement with beneficial effects. Performance art is an opportunity to engage both mind and body in actions that transform predictability and encourage wellness within the context of people’s life studios (their everyday lives). Wellness is defined here in rela [...]

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 OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine Editorial Office

Received: 03 January 2025;  Published: 03 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501001

The editors of OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2024. 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, revie [...]

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 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 [...]

by Edward Caddye  , Yuliia Lukianstseva  , Richard Aceves  and Guy W. Fincham

Received: 28 July 2025;  Published: 22 January 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601006

This paper introduces Movement-informed Breathwork (MiB), a personalised breath-body approach with biofeedback that integrates a form of conscious connected breathwork (breathing without pauses) with targeted neuromuscular contraction and relaxation cycles. Drawing from neuromuscular torque chain dynamics, fascial research and sensorimotor trauma therapy principles, MiB aims to enhance autonomic regulation, interoceptive awareness and somatic-emotional integration by bridging traditional breathwork (deep, slow-pace [...]

by Félix Neto  and Joana Neto

Received: 10 July 2025;  Published: 24 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504045

International students represent a significant sojourner group. Increasing international student numbers makes it ever more relevant to understand the determinants of their psychological adaptation. This research investigates the question of how perceived cultural distance (PCD) impacts acculturation variables (social contact with host nationals and host national identity) and outcomes such as saudade and life satisfaction among African international students. The sample comprised 422 college students (195 from Ang [...]

by Daniel Szoke  and Holly Hazlett-Stevens

Received: 17 June 2025;  Published: 09 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504042

Chronic stress increases a person’s vulnerability for physical and mental health conditions that take root in the “common soil” of inflammation. Dispositional, or trait, mindfulness has been identified as a protective factor against perceived stress. However, the theory that trait mindfulness can prospectively predict lower perceived stress in natural settings has yet to be thoroughly tested. The current study used a daily diary prospective design to observe perceived stress in response to difficult events. Partici [...]

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 Katherine Lucre  , Fatema Bhalloo  , Louis Brown  and Angela Foster

Received: 13 October 2025;  Published: 13 February 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601009

It has become increasingly evident that individuals who work in the NHS can be heavily impacted by the nature of their work; for instance, PTSD, work related burnout, vicarious trauma, moral injury, anxiety, and depression. In turn, individuals who experience said psychological difficulties often require work-related mental health leave from work. This paper examines the experience of a One-day Compassionate Mind Training workshop (CMT), available for all NHS staff. This day has an emphasis on developing multidirec [...]

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 Bojana Anđelković  , Biljana P. Dojčinović  , Ivona Mihajlović  , Jelena M. Živković  and Nebojša Đ. Pantelić

Received: 10 November 2025;  Published: 12 February 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601008

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) is increasingly recognized as a nutrient-dense fruit rich in health-promoting compounds. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the nutritional composition, phenolic profile, antioxidant potential, and elemental content of D. kaki fruit and its contribution to dietary mineral intake. Proximate analysis revealed a high moisture content, low fat, and appreciable fiber and carbohydrate levels, supporting its classification as a low-calorie, fiber-rich food. Methanolic extracts exhib [...]

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 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 Vivek Shekhar  and Hester O Connor

Received: 29 October 2025;  Published: 04 February 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601007

The innate desire to belong and to connect is profoundly human, yet in a world of instant communication, millions of young people increasingly feel untethered and adrift. Loneliness is the 21st century's primary health care concern across all age groups. Young people not only feel lonely and emotionally isolated, but they also describe a lack of meaningful connections and purpose. Young people lack safe spaces where they can connect with their peers, without fear of judgment, prejudice, and pressure to succeed. In [...]

by Elif Özgen

Received: 14 October 2025;  Published: 02 March 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601010

Throughout human history, movement has functioned not only as a physical activity but also as a ritual, considered a healing practice linked to meaning-making and social balance. Bodily performances and ritual-based practices—such as folk dances and mystical rituals—have historically supported the physical and emotional integrity of individuals. This paper examines the historical continuity of movement-based performative practices in Turkish health culture through religious and mystical rituals, folk dances, and mu [...]

by Sierra Coffey  , Kaela Beauvoir Farrise  and Erica E. Coates

Received: 10 October 2025;  Published: 13 March 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601011

Although methods of ethnic-racial socialization have been studied in the past, welcoming in a new digital age has affected how parents engage with their children on topics such as race and culture. While media can be an engaging way to expose young children to race and culture, the underrepresentation of Black youth in media in the United States has posed a dilemma for Black parents about the best way of using media to socialize their young children. To understand how Black mothers expose their children to ideas ab [...]

by Stephanie Bryan  , Maryellen Hamilton  and Danielle Zimny

Received: 22 October 2025;  Published: 30 March 2026;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2601012

In 2025, college students are reportedly more anxious and strained than any previous generation of young people, while they are also the first to have grown up entirely immersed in social media. This research explores social media use patterns and their relationship with academic, emotional, health-related and social well-being among college students. A total of 111 college students from an East Coast university self-selected to complete a one-time assessment anonymously through Qualtrics. A mixed-methods, explorat [...]