by Paul A. Barclay  and Clint A. Bowers

Received: 27 July 2018;  Published: 07 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804024

(1) Background: Meditation is a common intervention for college students suffering from issues with anxiety. Due to this popularity, several meditation-based video games have been released which can be used to supplement or motivate meditation practice. However, these tools are not often given scrutiny in a laboratory setting before being released to the public. Our lab conducted a brief feasibility pilot study to investigate Meditation Deathmatch, an open-source meditation video game aimed at stimulating meditatio [...]

by Anupa Pathak  , Saurab Sharma  and Mark P. Jensen

Received: 30 December 2019;  Published: 05 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2001005

There is a growing body of research evaluating the effects of hypnosis for the management of clinical pain. A summary of the recent systematic review would help understand the quality of evidence regarding the efficacy of hypnosis, and provide directions for future research. We conducted a scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the efficacy of hypnosis for management of clinical pain conditions published after 2013. We searched four databases and two reviewers independently screened studies. We e [...]

by Richard B. Kreider

Received: 01 April 2021;  Published: 03 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104041

Obesity has historically been thought to simply be related to an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. Weight loss recommendations have traditionally focused on reducing energy intake, maintaining either a high-carbohydrate low-fat diet or vice versa, and increasing physical activity typically through low to moderate intensity exercise. More recently, genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors have also been found to play a significant role in the etiology of obesity. For this reason, the prevention [...]

by Gabriel Moss  , Gi-Ming Wang  , Bethanny Bristol  , Hasina Momotaz  , Ming Li  and Richard T. Lee

Received: 05 May 2022;  Published: 04 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203033

Reiki is a form of energy healing that has gained popularity in the United States, but there remains skepticism about its scientific validity. This study examines the ability of Reiki practitioners (RP) to detect human energy fields (HEF). Volunteer RP were asked to identify the location of a human hand under blinded conditions for a total of 20 trials. Four potential options existed for subjects (right, left, both, or neither); thus, random chance would predict a success rate of 25%. A success rate of >40% was [...]

by Peta Stapleton  , Trude Roos  , Glenn Mackintosh  , Emma Sparenburg  , Debbie Sabot  and Brett Carter

Received: 14 October 2019;  Published: 17 December 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904065

Background: The combination of dietary restraint and physical exercise as a recommended treatment for weight loss has had limited long-term success. One factor proposed as limiting weight management techniques efficacy is the failure to target psychological processes linked with overeating. Consistent with prior research that has identified the efficacy of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) in reducing food cravings and aiding weight loss, this pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) examined the impact of online d [...]

by Dorothy S Greene

Received: 17 July 2021;  Published: 16 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104047

Yoga is increasingly becoming a strategy for wellness in the United States. A 2016 survey found that nearly 37 million Americans practice yoga and an additional 12 million say they intend to try it in the coming year. Yoga is also being studied as an intervention for a number of physical and behavioral health disorders. This short report examines yoga’s utility as a treatment or adjunctive tool for addiction recovery. Because addiction is characterized as a biopsychosocial-spiritual disorder and yoga is a holistic [...]

by Takahiro Fujimoto  , Hidetake Kobayashi  , Takeshi Hataoka  , Kazuo Taniguchi  and Keisuke Miura

Received: 17 May 2020;  Published: 09 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2004045

Obesity causes serious long-term health problems in people worldwide. Since the effect of dietary advice is possibly limited, weight loss can be a major challenge; therefore, additional weight control techniques may be beneficial. We conducted four experiments to evaluate if auricular acupuncture point stimulation with simple metal beads (AA) rather than the popular use of intradermal needle (DA) to stimulate auricle would support weight loss. In this retrospective study, weight change in Japanese women (aged 18 to [...]

by Naoki Ohkura  , Gen-ichi Atsumi  , Seima Uehara  , Mitsuhiro Ohta  and Masahiko Taniguchi

Received: 18 July 2018;  Published: 23 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901005

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition comprising a combination of glucose metabolism disorder, high blood pressure and obesity. The main underlying risk factors for metabolic syndrome are abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can effectively reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Angelica keiskei Koidzumi (ashitaba), a large perennial herb native to the Southeast Pacific coast of Japan, has recently become a popular herbal medicine, dietary [...]

by Gila Chen

Received: 04 March 2019;  Published: 24 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902026

Background: A large body of empirical evidence has supported the notion that individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) have difficulty regulating their negative emotions and employing emotion-regulation strategies. The aim of this article is to (a) explore the role of self-compassion in providing an emotion-regulation strategy for initiating a process of recovery from SUDs; (b) examine the role of self-compassion in building recovery capital (RC) to promote long-term recovery; and (c) examine the practice of [...]

by BAGOT Jean-Lionel

Received: 31 May 2018;  Published: 15 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803019

Background: After fatigue, pain is one of the major complaints from cancer patients. Regular use of Class 1 analgesics may cause side effects and is not always sufficient to relieve pain. Homeopathy is the complementary and integrative medicine most frequently used in France in supportive care in oncology (SCO). What is its place in the treatment of pain? Method: Extraction and analysis of results concerning pain from three surveys, two of which were carried out in France, on the main indications of homeopathy in S [...]

by Megan Sweeney  and Harold Kraft

Received: 29 September 2021;  Published: 17 December 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104055

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a highly debilitating chronic pain condition characterized by continuous regional pain disproportionate to duration and intensity of the initial damaging stimulus. In CRPS, abnormal perception, transmission, and modulation of pain by nerve cells and the autonomic nervous system induces extreme increases in perceived pain that may be accompanied by swelling, temperature sensitivity, color fluctuations, and/or skin changes. CRPS most commonly affects the extremities but may sp [...]

by Megan Berberich  and Bettina Bernstein

Received: 10 March 2018;  Published: 13 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804030

Background: Treatment of mood and anxiety disorders with supplements, herbs and nutraceuticals (dietary supplements) is at this point viewed as an integrative or alternative treatment, however these substances have been around for quite some time and are regarded as basic to the understanding of human biochemistry, physiology, health and illness in medicine. Methods: This review article was done using a literature search utilizing the National Library of Medicine online data base and the PCOM electronic library dat [...]

by Daniela Litscher  and Gerhard Litscher

Received: 24 May 2016;  Published: 17 August 2016;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1601002

The present report deals with some current important aspects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) education and practice in Europe and China. The data and facts are based on a lecture of one of the authors (G.L.) prepared for a conference in Wuhan about acupuncture education in Europe, and lectures of two high-ranking representatives of renowned Chinese institutions (State Administration of TCM and Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin). In addition to current figures regarding TCM in general, the ad [...]

by Patricia Gabrielli Vassão  and E-Liisa Laakso

Received: 03 February 2022;  Published: 21 March 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2201012

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for minimal to moderate Kellgren and Lawrence grade knee osteoarthritis has significant evidence for effectiveness. The effect of PBMT in severe grades of osteoarthritis is less clear; and no studies have investigated the effect of PBMT before and after knee replacement surgery. This small study (n=4) aimed to understand the potential feasibility of undertaking a future randomised controlled clinical trial of a self-administered, home-based light patch system before and after total [...]

by Elio Rossi  , Cristina Noberasco  , Marco Picchi  , Mariella Di Stefano  , Linda Nurra  , Antonella Rossi  and Leonardo Ventura

Received: 28 March 2018;  Published: 03 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803017

Background: To manage the adverse effects of anti-cancer treatment, the Homeopathic Clinic of Lucca collaborated with the oncology department of the the Health Unit Toscana North West Lucca and set up an Integrative Oncology Outpatient Unit in the Public Hospital Campo di Marte. Aim: The purpose of this study was to present the results of the homeopathic and complementary integrative medicine treatment targeted at reducing the adverse effects of anti-cancer therapy and cancer symptoms, and to give dietary and lifes [...]

by Kelsey Madison Dietrich  and Maria Gabriela Bidart

Received: 15 July 2021;  Published: 12 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104046

College students experience increased stress levels that could predispose them to develop mental and physical health conditions throughout adulthood. Yoga is an ancient mind-body practice including breath techniques, body exercises, and meditation that may be a useful strategy for enhancing college student health. Likewise, exposure to nature has been shown to have beneficial impacts on human health. This study investigates physiological and psychological responses of college students to yoga practiced in outdoor v [...]

by J. Kim Penberthy  , Dinesh Chhabra  , Nina Avitabile  , J. Morgan Penberthy  , Ngan Le  , Yiqin Roger Xu  , Seara Mainor  , Natalie Schiavone  , Paul Katzenstein  , Janet E Lewis  and Leslie Hubbard

Received: 18 April 2018;  Published: 28 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804039

Over the past few decades, there have been minimal advances in effective new behavioral or psychotherapeutic interventions for people living with autoimmune diseases such as systematic lupus erythematosus. This is problematic due to the severe, debilitating and potentially life-threatening nature of these diseases. Mindfulness based interventions, such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, have demonstrated effectiveness in a wide range of patient populations and we hypothesize such treatment would also benefit pa [...]

by Selma A. Augusta Quist Møller  , Sohrab Sami  and Shauna L. Shapiro

Received: 04 July 2018;  Published: 06 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901002

Background: In this study, we performed a systematic review of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) examining the health benefits of (mindful) self-compassion-based interventions (SCBIs) and studies which explicitly combine SCBIs and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). Based on the compelling evidence supporting the effectiveness of MBIs, we evaluated the potential use of MBIs and SCBIs to complement one another, and whether SCBIs may serve as supplementary, or preliminary interventions for individuals not fully [...]

by Randolph James  , Amy Lawson Moore  , Dick M Carpenter II  , Terissa Michele Miller  and Christina Ledbetter

Received: 29 April 2019;  Published: 06 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903054

Background: The current study examined a multifaceted anti-neuroinflammatory intervention that included physical exercise, mental exercise, grain-free/sugar-free diet, anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements, sleep optimization, and stress management within the context of a functional medicine practice for five patients with varying levels of cognitive impairment. Methods: In a prospective chart review, we examined impact measures including assessment of (1) cognitive skills, (2) brain connectivity, and (3) daily [...]

by Peta Stapleton  , Ulf Sandstrom  and Gunilla Hamne

Received: 12 September 2018;  Published: 22 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804036

Background: This pilot trial investigated whether a 3-week self-help model for stress reduction using the Trauma Tapping Technique (TTT) would impact traumatized youth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on post-traumatic stress symptoms and general happiness. It also focussed on the acceptability of the program to recipients and implementation in a community with complex trauma and conflict. Methods: The study involved 77 youth who received a TTT 3-week model of intervention (self-applied). Post traumatic stre [...]

by Karolina Bryl  and Jacelyn Biondo

Received: 25 August 2021;  Published: 26 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104052

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a strengths-based approach to psychotherapy that uses dance and movement as the primary form of communication, while emphasizing the movement relationship in addition to verbal dialogue. Positive and negative symptomatology of a diagnosis on the schizophrenia spectrum often disrupt organized thinking, orientation to reality, overall functioning, communication, and healthy relationships. Therefore, a body-based psychotherapeutic approach can be a pragmatic way to support, join, and pr [...]

by Richard Sarnat

Received: 09 March 2018;  Published: 12 April 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1802003

While “miraculous healings” of various disease states have been scientifically reported previously, the exact mechanism, which allow for these seeming miracles or spontaneous remissions is poorly understood. [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15] By contrast, the mechanism of action underlying the “miraculous healings” in the three case studies reported herein: Sarcoidosis, Chronic Lyme disease and Fibromyalgia seems to be understood with greater clarity, as these case reports are representative of the many hundreds [...]

by Joanna E. Witkin  , Ekaterina Denkova  , Anthony P. Zanesco  , Alexandra B. Morrison  , Joshua Rooks  , Jane Carpenter  , Michael Baime  and Amishi P. Jha

Received: 24 August 2021;  Published: 06 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2202016

Mindfulness training (MT) has been shown to benefit sustained attention and mind wandering. Yet, few studies have examined whether benefits differ as a function of individual differences in mind wandering. The sustained attention to response task (SART) measured task accuracy (A'), response time variability (response time intraindividual coefficient of variation, ICV), and self-reported mind wandering in participants before (T1) and after (T2) a 1-month MT retreat (n = 56), as well as in a control group (n = 32) wh [...]

by Leslyn Keith  and Robert Erkstam

Received: 11 January 2023;  Published: 17 March 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301016

Lymphedema, a chronic incurable condition characterized by edema, inflammation, reactive fibrosis, adipose proliferation, and compromised immune function, affects over 250 million people worldwide [1]. Further, a comorbidity of obesity increases the risk of developing lymphedema and can result in irreversible damage to lymphatic function. Access to appropriate and timely lymphedema treatment, performance of proper self-management strategies, and implementation of healthy lifestyle practices are critical for optimal [...]

by Methee Phumthum  and Henrik Balslev

Received: 25 April 2018;  Published: 24 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803020

Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and a serious global health problem. Over 400 million people suffer from diabetes and it is estimated that the number will dramatically increase in the future. The cost of diabetes treatment for individual patients is very high. However, traditional knowledge could be used to support conventional diabetes treatments. Here, we identify medicinal plants that have been used as treatments for diabetes based on Thai ethnobotanical knowledge. Methods: We present a literature r [...]