by Natali Lioubashevski  , Netzer Daie  , Yoram Finkelstein  and Eliezer Witztum

Received: 25 May 2023;  Published: 20 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304043

A therapeutic intervention combines guided imagery and hypnotic techniques (including self-hypnosis), direct and indirect suggestions, medical treatments, and highly improving patient condition. A variety of hypnotic intervention techniques were introduced to treat a highly hypnotizable patient suffering from an advanced organic brain disorder due to an autoimmune disease and resistant to traditional medicine, showing no improvement despite being highly motivated and cooperating with conventional measures. Progress [...]

by Gerhard Litscher  , Tong Li  and Fengxia Liang

Received: 14 March 2021;  Published: 15 March 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2101009

In a pioneer transcontinental pilot study conducted with 50 volunteers, it was revealed that women could have apparently overcome the world's toughest lockdown in terms of changes in the general state of health measured using the heart rate variability parameter better than men. The results of the present study obtained in Wuhan provide information on the initial trend in this regard.

by Cynthia M.A. Geppert  and Ronald W. Pies

Received: 01 March 2019;  Published: 04 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901016

Compassion in Clinical Care

by Sally Rose  and David Sheffield

Received: 05 August 2022;  Published: 22 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204055

This article examines the practice of combining explorations of regulated and dysregulated states through the Workable Ranges Model (WRM) with the skills and qualities taught in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). MBSR was designed to help participants to self-regulate stress. Didactic teaching about stress reactivity is part of the curriculum and may contribute to positive outcomes. A practice-based embodied methodology utilised mindful inquiry in research methods. Seven graduates of MBSR courses that inclu [...]

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 Hannah Lewandowski  , Lindsay Crawford  and Paul D. Loprinzi

Received: 13 April 2019;  Published: 25 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902039

Acute exercise may enhance episodic memory recall, or the retrospective recall of an event or episode due to exercise-induced neuronal excitability and ensuing long-term potentiation. Of interest to this paper is the potential effects of acute exercise on memory interference, when the interfering stimuli occurs at the same time as the target stimuli. A three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled intervention was employed. Participants (N=50) were randomized into one of three groups, including 1) Interference + [...]

by Simona Ruggirello  , Enrica L. Santarcangelo  and Laura Sebastiani

Received: 10 September 2019;  Published: 18 December 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904066

Background: Hypnotizability is a psychophysiological trait associated with several differences including the level of functional equivalence (FE) between imagery and perception, i.e., the similarity of the cortical activations and network configurations associated with each of them. FE is stronger in high hypnotizability individuals (highs) than low hypnotizable participants (lows). In this framework, this study investigates the correlation between electroencephalogram (EEG) of imagined arm/hand movements (MI) and [...]

by Michael Hales  and Robert Marx

Received: 10 January 2022;  Published: 19 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2202019

Service-user volunteers in a National Health Service (NHS) Mental Health Trust in the UK have made an unusual contribution to mindfulness teaching, training, research and governance as ‘advocates’ of mindfulness-based therapy interventions. We explore the nature of what has been named internally as the ‘wisdom’ of the ‘advocate’ group in this NHS Trust, and its impact on mental health provision. A clinician (clinical psychologist) and an advocate (anthropologist) conduct an investigative conversational journey usin [...]

by Rotu Arientare Rume  , Oyovwi Mega Obukohwo  , Ohwin Peggy Ejiro  and Oyelere Abosede Oreoluwa

Received: 04 December 2023;  Published: 27 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401015

Regular physical activity has been proven to improve metabolism, slow aging, and decrease the likelihood of various health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Hence, dancing was evaluated for its effects on cardiovascular, liver enzymes, and biochemical markers among healthy adults. Forty (40) healthy adults (20-40 years old) were chosen for the study, with an average age calculated. Those with certain health conditions or habits were not allowed to participate. Twenty (20) me [...]

by Beren Crim Sabuncu  , Wenyi Li  and Amy L. Ai

Received: 03 November 2022;  Published: 06 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302017

There has been a paucity in the literature on the protective effects of spiritual and social support as it pertains to trauma symptoms following a disaster. This secondary analysis investigated: a) the longitudinal analysis of the effect of perceived spiritual support (PSS; measured using PSSS-S2) on posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS); and b) the effect of social support and Wave-1 PTSS results on Wave-2 PTSS among Hurricane-Katrina (H-K) volunteers. We hypothesized that, 1. The shortform PSSS-S2 would have an ad [...]

by Jessica Walls  , Charlotte V. Farewell  , Kara Traikoff  , Haley Burns  , Joanne Whalen  , Meredith Shefferman  and Jenn A. Leiferman

Received: 31 May 2022;  Published: 26 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203038

Many women experience depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period. Mind-Body Interventions (MBIs) have shown great efficacy in the mitigation of these symptoms; however, there is limited research spanning the postpartum period and exploring long-term sustainability of mindfulness practice. Furthermore, little is known about specific facilitators that contribute to sustainability. The primary objective of this mixed-methods study is to use the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework to [...]

by OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine Editorial Office

Received: 25 January 2022;  Published: 28 January 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2201004

Interview with Dr. Paul J. Arciero. Precision lifestyle medicine and implementation science are the emerging frontiers of research in his field. He is an applied physiology and nutrition scientist, specializing in evidence-based scientific research on integrative and complementary lifestyle strategies to optimize health, wellness, and performance in individuals and organizations of all ages, fitness and health status. Specifically, his PRISE® Life protocol emphasizes a qualitative approach to nutrition, fitness, an [...]

by Beth Levant  , Emma Nguyen  , Jennifer A. Villwock  and Ann M. Manzardo

Received: 27 February 2023;  Published: 10 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302018

Impostorism is prevalent in medical students and negatively impacts wellness, contributing to stress and burnout. Perceived competence is noted as one attribute underlying impostorism. A curricular change that resulted in improved United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 scores and student self-perceptions of preparedness for clinical training was used as a natural experiment to assess the effects higher competence/preparedness, based on an objective indicator and self-perceptions, on impostorism, [...]

by Lisa Vogelgesang  , Damien Moore  and Paul D. Loprinzi

Received: 12 April 2020;  Published: 15 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2002020

by Angela Cheng  , Xanthe Lea  and Alice Shires

Received: 13 March 2025;  Published: 23 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502026

This study aims to investigate the barriers and facilitators to meditation in the general population. This research is significant because understanding these factors can inform the design of more effective public mental health interventions and support the integration of meditation into daily life. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative component of wider survey responses. Participants were recruited from MeditationHQ, which offers weekly group meditation sessions on beaches around Austra [...]

by Zachary Zeigler  , Jacob Lawrence  , Alexa Jamison  and Pete Salzano

Received: 02 August 2021;  Published: 02 September 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103027

Statistical modeling indicated that COVID-19 would have afflicted more than 60% of the US population. Social distancing, self-quarantine, and widespread shutdowns were imposed. The push to stay at home and the decreased availability of exercise facilities have potentially reduced physical activity (PA). The purpose of this observational, correlational study was to determine if there is a relationship between PA level and symptoms of COVID-19. Subjects were asked to complete a single Survey Monkey questionnaire. The [...]

by Robert T. Rubin

Received: 14 March 2019;  Published: 18 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902025

There are several definitions of sympathy, empathy, and compassion on the internet. I have chosen the above definitions to emphasize their salient differences, for the following reason: In medical school, in the early 1960s, we were taught not to sympathize with patients, but to empathize: By empathizing, one can retain some professional objectivity toward the patient, in order to be of some help. To sympathize, on the other hand, was to immerse oneself in the patient’s suffering and lose one’s professional per [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 05 January 2025;  Published: 07 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501003

Acupuncture, an ancient practice in traditional Chinese medicine, is founded on understanding of human physiology and the dynamics of energy flow (Qi). The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern medicine presents opportunities to integrate advanced technologies into acupuncture, enhancing diagnostic precision and empirical validation. AI tools can analyze complex datasets, model energy flow dynamics, and provide evidence-based insights, potentially bridging traditional methodologies with scientific par [...]

by Domenic John DiPietro  and Maria Gabriela Bidart

Received: 02 March 2023;  Published: 28 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303039

Worldwide, human population growth has led to a higher demand for urbanization. While this development is in accordance with our gregarious lifestyles, our availability and contact with nature has consequentially been minimized. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether sounds from nature versus urban environments affect vital signs (i.e., heart rate and respiration rate) and mood states of female college students. Emotional states were assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) questionn [...]

by Fernando Cabo  and Isaac Aguaristi

Received: 01 April 2020;  Published: 02 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2002018

by Alicia Brown  , Caitlin Woodcock  , Kelly Cocallis  and Alan Robert Bowman

Received: 26 May 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204050

Chronic pain affects around 28 million people in the UK. Those living with chronic pain can frequently experience internalised self-stigma and negative self-evaluations as a result of the pain itself and due to difficult life experiences. Previous research has found Compassion Focused Therapy to be effective for people living with long term health conditions like chronic pain. The current study sought to evaluate a routine Virtual Compassionate Living Group for patients with chronic pain on the measures of self-com [...]

by Michael D. Owens  and Megan Halliday

Received: 24 December 2020;  Published: 30 August 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103025

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to bring challenges in identification and management of which the “happy hypoxic” or silent hypoxia presentation has been found to present its own unique challenge. A 67-year-old African American COVID-19 positive female presents to the emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint of decreased oral intake and responsiveness, oriented and stable, with oxygen saturations found to drop as low as 47%. The patient was successfully managed with supplemental oxygen and det [...]

by Raymond H. Baillargeon  , Marylène Charette  , François Tessier  and Kevin P. Brand

Received: 08 March 2022;  Published: 03 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203031

The current recommendations of the Canadian Paediatric Society about monitoring children’s disruptive behaviors at well-child visits call for screening if behavioral concerns are being raised by parents. But do parents’ concerns about their child’s behavior constitute a reliable means for primary care providers (PCPs) to decide either in favor or against screening? We conducted a rapid systematic review of the literature by identifying documents that cited the landmark study by Glascoe and her col [...]

by Michael Frass

Received: 13 November 2019;  Published: 14 November 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904063

Highlights of Application of Homeopathy in Oncology Patients: An Interview with Prof. Michael Frass

by Tara Hickey  , Sarah Strohmaier  , Ellie Fossey  and Charlie Heriot-Maitland

Received: 21 December 2023;  Published: 25 April 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2402023

In the compassion focused therapy (CFT) model of voice-hearing, a distressing relationship with voices is thought to be influenced by evolved threat-protection patterns, which are activated and attuned by socially threatening experiences, such as being harmed by others, as well being shamed, stigmatised, invalidated, and excluded. Therefore, the CFT approach is particularly interested in the role of voice-hearers’ relationships with others and self, as well as their social context of family/friends, professio [...]