by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 17 September 2024;  Published: 19 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403053

Auricular medicine, based on the concept that the ear reflects the entire body, has gained recognition for treating various conditions through targeted acupuncture. Despite documented short-term benefits, such as pain relief and nervous system regulation, research into its long-term effects is limited. This editorial discusses the need for further long-term studies to explore whether regular auricular acupuncture can offer sustained health benefits and serve a preventive role. It summarizes two studies: one on auri [...]

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 Vsevolod Konstantinov  , Pavel Ustin  and Leonid Popov

Received: 18 July 2023;  Published: 01 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304049

The negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the forced isolation of a large proportion of people worldwide have demonstrated the need to develop ways and technologies to reduce the effects of sudden threats of this type. The basis of any practical work to minimize the negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic associated with substance use is the monitoring and diagnosis of the psychological resources of the individual. The article aims to show the possibilities of predict [...]

by Maya K. Marom

Received: 16 October 2023;  Published: 21 December 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304062

It was March-April 2020. The first few weeks of the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown had just begun. Anxiety levels were high, and being locked up at home was an unfamiliar and eerie situation. A music therapist sent her clients (elementary school children on the autism spectrum) daily videos of her dog, Robben, during his daily routines. She dubbed the dog as if he told the children a story about a tail-less cat. This endeavor resulted in a series of 27 storytelling episodes titled “Robben’s Pandemic Adventures”, [...]

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 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 Allyson Tabaczynski  , Catherine M. Sabiston  , Kelly P. Arbour-Nicitopoulos  , Ryan E. Rhodes  and Linda Trinh

Received: 16 July 2024;  Published: 08 November 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404067

Theory-based physical activity (PA) interventions include PA promotion strategies that can be delivered by exercise professionals, friends, family and peers. Peer-delivery presents a valuable opportunity for community implementation. Few peer-led PA interventions for people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) report the feasibility of their peer mentor training methods. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a peer mentor training program to deliver a behavioural PA interventi [...]

by Jennifer Vasquez  , Carrie Heeter  , Michele Quill  and Chase Bossart

Received: 07 April 2025;  Published: 03 July 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503029

Therapeutic Viniyoga is holistic and the treatment, starting point, progression, and goals are unique for each individual client. This study uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and directed content analysis, combining theory and application to offer a tangible, conceptually grounded window into the process and practice of one-to-one Therapeutic Viniyoga. How Viniyoga is applied therapeutically is explored through the lens of trained Viniyoga therapists. Fourteen Viniyoga therapists were interviewed, [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 24 September 2025;  Published: 25 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503040

This personal report summarizes the key experiences and insights gained from attending the 2025 International Symposium organized by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and the Acupuncture Science Association of Sweden (ASAS), held in Stockholm. The event brought together international experts to explore recent advances in acupuncture research, clinical applications, education, and global integration. Despite notable challenges—including issues with AI-assisted real-time translation and [...]

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 Ludek Fiala

Received: 25 August 2023;  Published: 18 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401014

This research focused on two age groups of men (under 40 and over 40 years) and their sexual function during the COVID-19 pandemic. Somatic examinations, including the measurement of hormone levels, were conducted on all patients. The subjects also completed two questionnaires and provided personal history data. The first questionnaire covered the evaluation of erectile function, while the second assessed psychosocial trauma and stress. The results in the first group (men under 40 years of age) showed a correlation [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 02 January 2024;  Published: 04 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401003

Auricular medicine, an integral component of traditional medicine, has grown famous as a complementary and alternative Medicine (CAM) modality. Despite its widespread acceptance and anecdotal support, the scientific community grapples with multifaceted challenges that impede the establishment of a comprehensive empirical foundation for auricular medicine. This editorial critically assesses the current scientific landscape, delineating unresolved issues and scientific lacunae that demand rigorous investigation.

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 Shelby Rubino  and Rodger K. Bufford

Received: 03 December 2023;  Published: 29 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401017

In 2019 the novel coronavirus spread quickly throughout the world. It was easily transmitted, resulting in a sudden increase in infection and death rates that overwhelmed hospitals. This sudden pandemic resulted in government and health officials mandating physical and social quarantines to decrease the spread of COVID-19. All these unexpected factors induced traumatic stress across the world. The impact of this trauma is seen to date, as many studies reported adverse mental health effects in an array of population [...]

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 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 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 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 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 Nicole E. Mahrer  , Gabrielle R. Rinne  , Christine M. Guardino  , Danielle A. Swales  , Madeleine Ullman Shalowitz  , Sharon Landesman Ramey  and Christine Dunkel Schetter

Received: 02 September 2024;  Published: 04 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501011

Certain observable parenting behaviors contribute to the risk of children developing internalizing and externalizing problems. Yet parenting behaviors do not affect all children uniformly and effects may depend on identifiable child characteristics. One factor is a child’s biological sensitivity to the caregiving environment, an indicator of which is a stress hormone, cortisol. This longitudinal study examines two dimensions of observable parenting behaviors, responsive and rejecting/harsh. These parenting behavior [...]

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 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 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 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 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 [...]