by Clare Northover  , Jack Deacon  , John King  and Chris Irons

Received: 21 September 2021;  Published: 21 December 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104056

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of a newly designed online self-compassion training programme for the general public. Two hundred and forty-nine participants were randomly assigned to have either immediate or delayed access to a four-week online self-compassion training programme. This programme was based on Compassionate Mind Training and was made up of psychoeducational sessions and in-between session practices and readings. Out of the 179 participants who completed the pre-interve [...]

by Thierry Provencher  , Jonathan Charest  and Celyne H. Bastien

Received: 09 October 2019;  Published: 02 January 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2001001

Neuroimaging evidences point to the role of hyperarousal in the pathophysiology of insomnia. While actual treatments fail to directly target brain hyperarousal, emergent complementary therapies known as neuromodulation techniques aim to improve sleep in people with insomnia by targeting irregularities in their brain activity. In this paper, we narratively review the most relevant studies reporting the application of neuromodulation techniques to improve sleep in individuals with insomnia. Using a non-systematic app [...]

by Kazandra Lopez Hernandez  and John V. Rider

Received: 26 July 2023;  Published: 20 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304053

Chronic pain imposes significant personal and societal challenges. The concerning impact across all population levels has led to several federal agencies dedicating considerable efforts to developing clinically guiding recommendations to improve how chronic pain is addressed, specifically in primary care practice. These guidelines recognize and emphasize the importance of comprehensive evaluation, appropriate diagnosis, and treatment interventions that target multifactorial influences of pain for improved quality o [...]

by Divya Taneja  , Madhumita Sadhukhan  , Padmalaya Rath  , Manas R Sarangi  , Renu Mittal  , Akshaya Kumar Prusty  , Deepthi Gilla  , Ashish Shivadikar  , Birendra Rawat  , Ravi Kumar Sadarla  , Gurudev Choubey  , Nidhi Mahajan  , Renu Bala  , Neha Kalra  , Anupam Mukherjee  , Anil Khurana  and Raj K. Manchanda

Received: 12 August 2022;  Published: 21 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203044

Patients with psoriasis commonly opt for homeopathic treatment. However, no study has assessed the response to homeopathic treatment by using standardized disease-specific scales, and the findings are based on clinical assessments only. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response to the individualized homeopathic treatment of psoriasis with respect to changes in disease severity and quality of life based on Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) scales, respective [...]

by Anna Blázovics  , Botond Csorba  and Andrea Ferencz

Received: 19 May 2022;  Published: 08 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203034

The most well-known phytoestrogens (flavonoids, isoflavonoids, lignans, coumestans, stilbenes, and prenylflavonoids) are isoflavonoids, which are important active ingredients in medicinal and food plants. They are highly abundant in the Fabaceae family. More than 1,000 types of isoflavonoids have been isolated from nearly 300 kinds of plants, and more are being discovered through modern analytical methods. Glycosides O and C of isoflavonoids are poorly absorbed in the intestine. They are converted by bacterial este [...]

by Colin Armstrong

Received: 20 December 2020;  Published: 31 August 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103026

Progress in technologies, notably in vivo and in situ methods, has equipped scientists with the necessary skills to explore the living human body in increasingly minute detail. This has led to a better understanding of the dynamic interplay between the various elements that make up the living human body. To further understand the interplay, this research focuses on the insights and observations of the founders of osteopathy, who placed great importance on the role of fascia in the body. Modern anatomical investigat [...]

by Samskruthi Menashi  , Lawrence B Cohen  and Manuela G. Neuman

Received: 10 February 2018;  Published: 28 March 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1801002

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicinal practice. The present review includes translational research characterizing obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We reviewed published research on improving function through Ayurvedic medicine by searching electronic databases (Medline, Embase) using terms such as: Ayurveda, obesity, NAFLD, NASH, the effect of exercise interventions in obesity, change in body composition. We aim to (1) determine the immuno-pathology of [...]

by Emily Smith Schafer

Received: 02 March 2023;  Published: 24 May 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2402030

According to the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), nearly 30 million children in the United States have experienced one or more types of significant childhood trauma. In the average public school, this statistic translates to as many as half of the students in a given teacher’s classroom. Children exposed to the toxic stress of trauma often experience negative consequences that affect their academic, psychological, socioemotional, and behavioral health. To aid educators in addressing this reality, trauma [...]

by Scarlett Puebla-Barragan  , Britney Lamb  , Serenah Jafelice  and Gregor Reid

Received: 16 June 2021;  Published: 01 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104040

Vaginal care products are widely used by women to relieve discomfort such as pain, itching and malodour, all of which are commonly caused by conditions resulting from microbiota dysbiosis. Previous studies showed that probiotic strains Lacticaseibacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) rhamnosus GR-1 (LGR-1) and Limosilactobacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) reuteri RC-14 (LRC-14), can aid in restoring homeostasis in the vaginal microbiome when taken orally. A topical product containing these strains could be of value for r [...]

by Fengxia Liang  and Gerhard Litscher

Received: 25 February 2020;  Published: 26 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2001009

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to prevent and alleviate epidemic diseases for hundreds of years. The combination of TCM and Western medicine can effectively reduce fever; alleviate cough, fatigue, diarrhoea and other symptoms of patients with mild COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-19). For the treatment of moderate and severe syndromes, the integrative approach can reduce lung exudation and inhibit the further development of the disease. However the risk of infection is a limit for example in needle a [...]

by Katarina Mark  and Maria Arman

Received: 09 June 2018;  Published: 27 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804031

Background: People suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly use complementary and alternative medicine due to the partial efficacy of conventional treatments, the chronic aspect of MS, the impact of pain and the side-effects of medication. An exploratory descriptive study of three cases was performed to document and analyse the experience patients treated for MS with applied kinesiology. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with three patients who had been diagnosed with MS at the Neurology Departm [...]

by Alice Walton  , Mustafa Faruk Usta  , Melissa Wong  and Wayne Hellstrom

Received: 01 August 2021;  Published: 02 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104042

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED), and ED is almost three times more prevalent in men with MetS. Vascular pathologies are a significant factor for the development of ED, and many experts suggest endothelial dysfunction (EnD) as a likely explanation for the association between ED and MetS. Studies also show that corporal vascular and trabecular smooth muscle dysfunction leads ultimately to corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction. Different functional system abnormalities [...]

by Heidrun Männle  , Birthe Osorio  and Karsten Münstedt

Received: 09 March 2020;  Published: 28 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2002024

Palliative care is a steadily growing component of medicine that focuses on treating individuals with life-limiting diseases such as cancer. It aims at improving the quality of life and alleviating cancer-related symptoms, including anxiety, pain, dyspnea, cough, nausea/vomiting, and constipation, which could result in significant physical and mental impairment. Integrative palliative care (IPC), as a subspecialty of palliative care, includes complementary approaches to treat patients holistically in their biopsych [...]

by Brooks M. Hybertson  , Bifeng Gao  and Joe M. McCord

Received: 21 September 2021;  Published: 10 January 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2201002

There has been a long history of human usage of the biologically-active phytochemicals in Salvia rosmarinus, Zingiber officinale, and Sophora japonica for health purposes, and we recently reported on a combination of those plant materials as the PB123 dietary supplement. In the present work we extended those studies to evaluate activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcription factor and differential gene expression in cultured HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) cells treated with PB1 [...]

by Olorunjuwon O. Bello  , Rosemary O. Akande  , Temitope K. Bello  , Muibat O. Fashola  , Mathew O. Oni  and Adeleke Osho

Received: 21 July 2024;  Published: 20 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501006

The incidence of antifungal-resistant pathogenic fungi has steadily increased around the globe and calls for an aggressive response. The study aimed to produce and evaluate virgin coconut oil's phytochemical properties and antifungal potentials (VCO). The production of VCO was achieved by hot extraction and natural fermentation methods. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to evaluate the active phytochemicals in the VCO. The antifungal activities of VCO against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nige [...]

by Em V. Adams  , Brandi M. Crowe  , Jasmine Vanadore  , Marieke Van Puymbroeck  and Arlene A. Schmid

Received: 06 February 2022;  Published: 22 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2202020

The purpose of this descriptive survey was to explore how, and for what purpose, health care practitioners use yoga in clinical practice. A survey was administered to professionals who identified as healthcare practitioners who used yoga in their practice. There were 205 completed responses from a combination of healthcare practitioners including occupational therapists, physical therapists, yoga therapists, recreational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and mental health counselors. Practitioners worked in [...]

by Ronald J. Pekala  and Kevin Creegan

Received: 20 January 2020;  Published: 13 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2002019

Noetic analysis is a methodology to quantify the mind during hypnosis, meditation, or other stimulus conditions/states of consciousness in a reliable and valid manner. The methodology uses retrospective phenomenological assessment (RPA) to comprehensively assess subjective experience. By having the participant complete a first person, self-report questionnaire, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), in reference to a short stimulus condition, the researcher can generate a “snapshot” of the mind, and it [...]

by Cathryn Duchette  , Danilo V Tolusso  , Whitley J Stone  , Maire M Blankenship  and Rachel A Tinius

Received: 23 June 2021;  Published: 25 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104051

Studies have demonstrated that new and expectant mothers experience increased levels of stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though prenatal yoga is an effective mode of improving mental health during pregnancy, no research has evaluated its effect on mental health during times of extreme stress, such as a global pandemic. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of a single session and a 10-week prenatal yoga intervention on the mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandem [...]

by Xiaolei Liu  , Yanjie Zhang  , Xiru Du  , Yongzhi Ma  , Ruike Jiang  , Shihui Chen  and Yongtai Wang

Received: 24 September 2022;  Published: 28 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301008

Qigong, a traditional Chinese exercise routine, has been used as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) in many studies, and the results have confirmed its effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of PD. However, no study has yet investigated the long-term effects and benefits of Qigong practices in improving the symptoms of PD. The purpose of this follow-up evaluation was to investigate the long-term effects of Qigong practices in improving the symptoms of PD. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), patie [...]

by Kelly Armstrong  , Raman Gokal  and Todd Todorsky

Received: 25 March 2019;  Published: 25 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903056

Background: Direct Current (DC) micro-current point stimulation (MPS) is increasingly recognized as a therapy for chronic pain and stress management. However, there remains limited evidence as to the therapeutic value of MPS in chronic post surgical pain (CPSP) management related to C-Section scars. Objectives: We aimed to determine the effect and magnitude that MPS has when applied to C-section scars and its effects on a wide variety of non-specific chronic post surgical pain syndromes. Study Design: This was a co [...]

by Wangkuk Son  , Jason Lin  and Melissa Puppa

Received: 28 September 2020;  Published: 07 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2004044

Cancer cachexia contributes to 30% of cancer-related deaths. There is currently no treatment or standard of care for cancer cachexia. Many nutritional interventions show promise for the treatment and or prevention of cachexia. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, protein and vitamins either alone or in combination has shown some beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of cancer cachexia. The mechanisms through which many nutritional interventions work to attenuate cachexia are just beginning to be u [...]

by Rosita Borlimi  , Greta Riboli  , Mattia Nese  , Matilde Buattini  , Marella Colombardo  and Gianni Brighetti

Received: 07 November 2021;  Published: 01 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2202014

The length of the menstrual cycle (MC) varies among women, with an average regularity between 21 and 40 days. Six temporal frames can be observed within the monthly cycle, based on the fluctuations of the hormone levels. These fluctuations are accompanied by alterations in the central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) and can be quantified using psychophysiological techniques. In this systematic review, we discussed the studies conducted with healthy females that examined aspects associated wi [...]

by Darcy L. Harris

Received: 26 August 2023;  Published: 16 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304052

In the past several decades, new understandings about grief have emerged. In the same time frame, a substantial body of literature has explored the components of compassion and their potential application to various clinical contexts. Compassion evolved from caring motivation associated with the evolutionary challenges of reproduction that involved the necessary care for offspring. Grief also has an evolutionary background that is rooted in core aspects of attachment and the assumptive world construct. Compassion F [...]

by Elisabetta Barbara Cortesi  , Sonia Baccetti  , Maria Valeria Monechi  , Mariella Di Stefano  , Barbara Cucca  , Tommaso Conti  , Antonella Traversi  , Filippa Terranova  , Roberto Montelatici  , Sylvie Yvonne Barberousse  , Federica Sabatini  , Catia Vuono  , Christian Bini  and Marco Picchi

Received: 26 September 2018;  Published: 28 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902028

Introduction: Pain in musculoskeletal disorders is a common problem that involves high social and individual costs. Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials show that a number of treatments usually applied in this field are not effective. On the other hand, there is clinical evidence of the effectiveness of physical exercise, acupuncture, and auriculotherapy. Side effects of current medication limit their use. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of auriculotherapy on the pain of patients suffering from ch [...]

by Simonetta Bernardini  , Francesca Bechini  , Giulia Braccesi  , Franco Cracolici  , Rosaria Ferreri  , Roberto Pulcri  and Andrea Serafini

Received: 30 September 2018;  Published: 17 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902024

Since 2011, the Tuscany Regional Authority has been funding the use of Integrated Medicine (IM) in a clinical setting in Pitigliano Hospital, with the aim of testing the true efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a hospital setting. The clinical setting also comprises the Manciano rehabilitation facility whose services include post-stroke rehabilitation. This study aims to establish if IM helps to improve the rehabilitation performance of stroke patients. The study compared 212 patients divide [...]