by Joseph V. Pergolizzi  , Robert Taylor  , Robert B. Raffa  and Jo Anne LeQuang

Received: 27 July 2018;  Published: 28 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804038

Background: The leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), a tropical tree that is indigenous to Southeast Asia, have been used traditionally to increase stamina, as a digestive aid, and as an analgesic. Kratom use is now increasingly popular in the rest of the world because of easy availability through the Internet and real, or perceived, views of efficacy and safety. Methods: PubMed and MedLine searches were conducted of published articles available in English. Results: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the pr [...]

by Myia S. Williams  , Keyla Ordonez  , D’Arcy King  , Jeffrey Solomon  , Suzanne Ardito  , Jennifer Polo  , Sindee Weiss  and Negin Hajizadeh

Received: 21 April 2024;  Published: 18 October 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404060

We explored the feasibility of a virtual-reality delivered mindfulness training intervention on burnout symptoms among corporate employees and clinicians in the Intensive Care Unit and Palliative Care Unit (PCU). To develop the VR mindfulness intervention we leveraged the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior model (COM-B) as a guide for the design and implementation of the VR mindfulness training intervention. Using a pre-posttest within subjects design we assessed burnout syndrome, job stress and work-rel [...]

by Donald Moss

Received: 20 January 2020;  Published: 19 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2001007

The face of illness has changed with progress in public health, immunizations, and antibiotic medication. Today, medical clinics are more likely to see patients with chronic illnesses, stress-related conditions, and complex bio-psycho-social conditions. This is a global trend, affecting patients worldwide, as Western lifestyle and diet have produced increases in chronic lifestyle-based disorders. Integrative medicine, which attends more fully to psychosocial dimensions of illness, appears to offer promise for today [...]

by Stephanie Bryan  and Maryellen Hamilton

Received: 20 October 2023;  Published: 10 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401008

This paper provides an overview of gratitude as a concept and as a mind-body-spirit practice, impacting health and human functioning throughout the lifespan, that can be integrated into daily life to great benefit at no cost. Current society is rife with increases in stress, anxiety, depression, lifestyle-related diseases, and social isolation. The practice of gratitude and its interrelated pro-social, health-enhancing, resilience-building effects suggest that promoting gratitude from childhood through adulthood ma [...]

by Marcus A. Henning  , Xuan Joanna Feng  , Yan Chen  , Fiona Moir  , Christian U. Krägeloh  , Jennifer Hobson  and Craig S. Webster

Received: 17 May 2021;  Published: 09 October 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104033

This review examines the quality of the research exploring mindfulness within tai chi chuan and the way this integrative practice benefits health and learning for higher education students. A narrative review based on a systematic search was conducted. Ten English and three Chinese databases were utilised to appraise the relevant literature. The initial search identified 874 potentially appropriate English articles and 265 Chinese articles. A final review of 52 Chinese and 8 English articles was conducted. We used [...]

by Jonathan Manh Dang  , Luma Bashmi  , Stephen Meeneghan  , Janet White  , Rebecca Hedrick  , Jelena Djurovic  , Brigitte Vanle  , Dennis Nguyen  , Jonathan Almendarez  , Paula Ravets  , Yasmine Gohar  , Sophia Hanna  , Itai Danovitch  and Waguih William IsHak

Received: 28 March 2018;  Published: 25 June 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1802011

Background: An increasing number of patients and practitioners are using mindfulness meditation programs despite uncertainty about the evidence supporting these programs’ health benefits. Aim: To review the current evidence on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) on depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) among patients with depression comorbid medical conditions and those with major depressive disorder. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and PsycINFO was performed [...]

by Kokila Jeyamurugan  and Ratna B Basak

Received: 12 May 2020;  Published: 17 July 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2003034

Child life specialists (CLS) are trained providers who form part of a pediatric multidisciplinary and pediatric palliative care team. Their role is invaluable to mitigate the stress and anxiety of children during hospitalization. They may use various strategies in children like play, art and music therapy and pet therapy, to help self-express and cope with painful procedures. We present a brief narrative on CLS with a case of a 10- year- old Hispanic boy who had metastatic osteosarcoma. The case illustration is f [...]

by Alexandra Koulouris  , Kathleen Dorado  , Christina McDonnell  , Robert R. Edwards  and Asimina Lazaridou

Received: 27 June 2018;  Published: 05 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803018

Background: This paper presents a review of the evidence regarding the efficacy and impact of Yoga and mindfulness with meditation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients who suffer from RA express a variety of symptoms that negatively impact their physical functioning and performance in social roles. Yoga and meditation-based therapies have been previously used to manage chronic pain conditions and other persisting disorders in affected populations. The suitability and effectiveness of these practi [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 03 May 2020;  Published: 07 May 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2002026

The present moment lacks any reliable vaccine or treatment for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the resultant disease COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease-2019). Laser medicine like photobiomodulation (PBM) or photodynamic therapy (PDT), and laser acupuncture may possess some potential to interact and relieve the symptoms of this disease. PubMed lists only two results for the search term ‘PBM or PDT and COVID-19’, indicating the paucity of validated scientific clinical studies on the subject. On the contrary, it does not mean th [...]

by Linda Li-Dan Zhong  , Yi-Ping Wong  , Bo Peng  , Zhi-Xiu Lin  , Vivian Chi-Woon Wong Taam  , Yi Luo  , Hai-Yong Chen  , Chao-Dong Chao  , Chor-Fung Wong  , Freddie Shung-Chi Tam  , Kui Chan  , Kwan-Yiu Lee  , Lai-Fun Ho  , Alan Yat-Lun Wong  , Chi-Fung Choy  , Bacon Fung-Leung Ng  , Rowena How-Wan Wong  , Yi-Bin Feng  , Ching Liong  , Zhao-Xiang Bian  and COVID-19 CM Research Working Group

Received: 24 May 2021;  Published: 13 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103022

The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for more than 16 months, and there have been over 169 million confirmed cases worldwide. Besides, after treatment with Western medicine or undergoing home quarantine, COVID-19 patients are still severely or mildly functionally impaired. Though COVID-19 patients were discharged from the hospital, most of them still exhibit certain clinical symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, shortness of breath, and poor sleep. The syndromes, linked with the Chinese Medicine (CM) body constituti [...]

by Robert Capizzi  and Heather Mary Kempton

Received: 15 September 2022;  Published: 06 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304050

Relationships between nature connection, mindfulness and wellbeing have been observed through nature based therapeutic interventions, where mindfulness and nature appear to reciprocally influence each other in relation to wellbeing and is potentially consistent with attention restoration theory. However, previous studies have relied on examining nature based interventions rather than the role of nature connection in everyday lives. This investigation explored the relationship between nature connection, mindfulness, [...]

by Lucille Marchand  , Donna Lewin  and Leila Kozak

Received: 02 October 2020;  Published: 22 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2101007

Both palliative care (PC) and integrative medicine (IM) focus on the whole person to optimize wellbeing. Integrative palliative care combines the best of both approaches in relieving the distressing symptoms of serious illness and its treatment by combining evidence informed, pharmacological and nonpharmacological modalities that are aligned with the person’s goals, values and preferences. Healing is valued, as well as symptom relief, shared decisionmaking, person empowerment, compassionate care, and nurturing of h [...]

by Allison Ast  , Margaret Meyer  , R. Elyse Heidelberg  , Jennifer M. Allen  , Amy Ly  and Holly Spraker-Perlman

Received: 02 December 2020;  Published: 08 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2101005

Children with cancer can experience intense suffering. Currently, despite our best efforts, symptoms associated with both cancer and its treatment result in physical, psychological, and emotional discomfort that can be difficult to manage with traditional Western medicine alone. Developing integrative services within a pediatric hematology-oncology program may help improve cancer-related symptoms by combining different modalities targeting overall health with traditional oncology care. This study details the initia [...]

by Marcus A. Henning  , Tae Joo Park  , Fiona Moir  , Chris Krägeloh  , Christopher Mysko  , Jennifer Hobson  and Craig S. Webster

Received: 25 May 2018;  Published: 26 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804027

Background: The purpose of this systematic review was to appraise the empirical evidence pertaining to medical students and the integration of mindfulness and physical exercise regimens. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken. Five databases were used to survey the salient literature. Results: The initial search identified 353 potentially relevant articles of which 17 articles were considered for the final review. The findings indicated that the research was mainly conducted in the USA with some research origi [...]

by Julian Gross  , Karin Matko  , Jill Vennemann  and Holger Carl Bringmann

Received: 31 July 2021;  Published: 14 December 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2104054

Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM) is a complex eight-week mind-body intervention based on the traditional eight-fold path of classical yoga. MBLM was developed for mental health care, and it combines ethical living, physical yoga, and meditation. In this qualitative study, the subjectively perceived efficacy of MBLM was compared to the perceived efficacy of an individually tailored, multi-professional psychiatric treatment (MPT) in a psychiatric outpatient clinic. Twelve patients were interviewed for t [...]

by Sarah Fogarty  and Phillipa Hay

Received: 06 August 2019;  Published: 08 October 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904058

Background: Death is a universal human experience. The experience of grief is unique for each person experiencing it. There is emerging research on modalities that provide support for bereaved individuals including bereavement massage. There is limited information in the literature about the specific role that massage can play in supporting bereaved individuals. The aim of this scoping review is to explore the literature that reports on the use and outcomes of bereavement massage so that massage therapists, consume [...]

by Robin Junker

Received: 24 November 2022;  Published: 01 February 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301011

Stress in teaching leads to many teachers suffering from burnout or leaving the profession. Therefore, it is important to identify specific correlates of teacher stress. The role of student age and social-emotional competence in teacher stress emergence is still unclear To further clarify this relationship, 284 teachers were surveyed using a questionnaire that measured teacher stress, student year grade, and student social-emotional competence. Results show a strong negative relationship between grade level and tea [...]

by Carmelo Guido  , Valentina Selmi  , Cosimo Chelazzi  , Giulia Borsotti  , Rita Giachetti  , Vittorio Limatola  , Martina Sicurani  and Angelo Raffaele De Gaudio

Received: 29 September 2018;  Published: 28 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901020

Background: In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques have become very widespread; among these, acupuncture can play an important role in the treatment of adverse effects related to chemotherapy. This role has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health after many clinical studies, thus allowing the official introduction of acupuncture in supportive therapy for oncological diseases, particularly to prevent nausea and vomiting. The aim of this paper is to describe the activity [...]

by Francisco V. Muñoz  and Linda Larkey

Received: 20 May 2020;  Published: 27 July 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2003035

Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) report decrements in cognitive functioning. A Meditative Movement (MM) program (Qigong/Tai Chi Easy) combines meditation and exercise, practices known to improve cognitive function. Method: Using a single group, pre- to post-intervention assessment design, a pilot study was conducted in BCSs to test the effects of an 8-week MM intervention on cognitive functioning, sleep and mood and to explore changes on selected gene expression factors, BDNF, NF-kB1, and TP53, expected to improve wi [...]

by Ethan G. Lester  , Amy R. Murrell  and Dickson E. Dickson

Received: 19 June 2018;  Published: 14 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804026

Background: Mindfulness meditation (MM) is an increasing area of interest for health professionals and the general public alike. Beneficial outcomes are associated with this practice; however, definitions of mindfulness and meditation are varied, and anecdotal accounts suggest that people hold conceptions about the constructs. Furthermore, mindfulness has been incorporated into therapeutic modalities without much consideration for context, including the client’s previous experiences with and understanding of MM. To [...]

by Zeynep Biringen  , Anna Fuchs  , Sabine C. Herpertz  and Erin K. Biringen

Received: 13 March 2019;  Published: 25 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903048

Most research on compassion utilizes self-report measures. Subjective report of the individual can provide an authentic window about compassion toward the self. Compassionate behavior toward another person, on the other hand, can and should be measured more objectively than self-report allows. Compassionate behavior toward another can best be measured by how that individual actually interacts with others. In this essay, we will describe how behavior that is compassionate can be objectively measured, and one that ha [...]

by Ashley M. Carter  , Emma R. Dioso  , Bethsabe Romero  , Christopher E. Clinker  and Brandon Lucke-Wold

Received: 12 October 2022;  Published: 17 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301007

Art as a way of healing is primordial in many cultures. Expressive Arts Therapy (ExAT) uses art, music, dance, and writing to help individuals navigate their healing journey. Patient self-expression as a mode of recovery has been observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and cancer. Complementary medical approaches such as acupuncture and mindfulness have also demonstrated benefits in patients suffering from neurological injury. Complementary medicine and ExAT are [...]

by Robyn Long  , Megan Kennedy  , Katie Malloy Spink  and Liliana J. Lengua

Received: 23 February 2023;  Published: 30 August 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303034

This study evaluated the impact on student and staff well-being of a mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral coping program, Be REAL (Resilient Attitudes & Living), delivered by campus staff using a task-sharing approach. The program was adapted for online delivery during COVID19. Study participants included 325 undergraduate students and 100 staff members at a large tri-campus university in the U.S. Participants completed surveys with self-report measures assessing mindfulness, perceptions of stress, emotion regula [...]

by Mario F. Tecce  , Walter Milano  and Anna Capasso

Received: 26 June 2020;  Published: 31 August 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2003038

Adipocytes play a central role in maintaining lipid homeostasis and energy balance by storing triacylglycerols (TAGs) or releasing free fatty acids in response to changes in energy requirements. Obesity is a major risk factor for many diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Besides, morbidity and mortality associated with being overweight and obese are on the rise. The development of obesity is characterized by an increase in lipid cells due to mitogenesis and differentiation, which [...]

by Felicity Saunders  , Jane Vosper  , Stuart Gibson  , Rhiann Jamieson  , Jill Zelin  and Janet Barter

Received: 16 October 2021;  Published: 14 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2202017

Genito-Pelvic Pain Penetration Disorder (GPPPD) affects between eight and twenty percent of women. There is recent evidence that compassion focused therapy (CFT) can help those with general health conditions and persistent pain. This study aims to investigate application of CFT techniques to an existing psychosexual therapy group of women with GPPPD and establish an effect size that could be used in a fully powered trial in future. The study took place within a routine clinical setting. Women who attended a group w [...]

by Claire Marie Rangon  , Gerhard Litscher  , Robert Bering  , Gary Stanton  , Anne Marie Bering  , Stephen W. Porges  and Raphaël Nogier

Received: 25 October 2023;  Published: 26 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304047

by Behzad Foroutan

Received: 14 January 2023;  Published: 31 May 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302023

Aging is a stage of the natural life cycle. It is a set of natural and coordinated growth changes all organs and body systems undergo to burnout. It is impossible to determine the exact time of old age for two reasons. First, the aging process is different for humans due to individual, hereditary factors. Second, aging has a set of physiological, psychological and, social factors. This review aimed to gather appropriate clinical information and facts for clinicians when practicing heart medications in elderly patie [...]

by Sharon F. Clevenger

Received: 20 December 2020;  Published: 07 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2101004

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been adapting to the changing needs of people worldwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate how HCWs are managing dietary self-care needs during the increased stress-load of the COVID-19 pandemic and determine if nutritional changes are being made that could place them at higher risk for mental health problems. A cross-sectional epidemiological nonprobability snowball sampling design was used to expand access to participants. Occ [...]

by Mohammed Alsabri  , Kusum Viswanathan  , Fiorella Castillo  , Paridhi Ghai  and Maryam Hemmat Hamrah

Received: 26 December 2020;  Published: 15 April 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2102013

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common hematologic disorders in the world. In the United States, it is the single most common genetic hematologic disorder. The burden of SCD and its complications on pediatric patients is tremendous, especially acute vaso-occlusive pain crises. Although allopathic medicine has provided numerous pain medications to treat this, they do not come without side effects and are not always effective. This review explores complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods of p [...]

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

Received: 27 September 2018;  Published: 25 October 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904061

Background: Pain and vasomotor symptoms are the common side effects experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing conventional oncology treatments. Traditional Chinese Medicine might represent a key treatment option for these side effects in a multidisciplinary pathway. Aim: The present study with a retrospective design was aimed at confirming the effectiveness of acupuncture, plum blossom, and auriculotherapy in reducing hot flashes and the intensity and frequency of pain in women with breast cancer. Materials [...]

by Jih-Huah Wu

Received: 04 March 2019;  Published: 15 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903046

Sleep has played a critical role in maintaining the physical and psychological health of humans, especially for women. Many studies reveal that sleep disturbance can cause more inflammation, coagulation, insulin resistance, and psychosocial distress in women than in men. A lot of medications are used to treat sleep disorders, but they can cause various adverse effects. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been proved as a safe and easy-to-use therapy. We propose two methods of affecting the autonomic nervous syste [...]

by Natalia Sylvia Ramos Díaz

Received: 23 August 2018;  Published: 14 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901017

One of the objectives of psychological intervention is to help patients manage their emotions effectively by providing them with the necessary skills to accompany their own emotional states. To this regard, there seems to be a current lack of therapeutic resources aimed at helping patients assimilate and regulate emotions. This article proposes the application of a new technique which incorporates mindfulness, building on the premises of the model of psychological flexibility which defines "mindfulness" as a practi [...]

by Soo Liang Ooi  and Sokcheon Pak

Received: 29 May 2019;  Published: 31 May 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902033

The Landscape of Current Meditation Research: An Overview to the Special Issue on “Health Benefits of Meditation”

by Oghenerume Lucky Emakpor  , Great Iruoghene Edo  , Emad Yousif  , Princess Oghenekeno Samuel  , Agatha Ngukuran Jikah  , Khalid Zainulabdeen  , Athraa Abdulameer Mohammed  , Winifred Ndudi  , Susan Chinedu Nwachukwu  , Ufuoma Ugbune  , Joy Johnson Agbo  , Irene Ebosereme Ainyanbhor  , Huzaifa Umar  , Helen Avuokerie Ekokotu  , Ephraim Evi Alex Oghroro  , Patrick Othuke Akpoghelie  , Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo  , Lauretta Dohwodakpo Ekpekpo  , Priscillia Nkem Onyibe  , Ufuoma Augustina Igbukuc  , Endurance Fegor Isojec  and Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghahk

Received: 28 December 2023;  Published: 28 June 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2402038

The optimal enhancement of athletic performance, recovery from exhaustion after exercise, and injury prevention are products of appropriate nutrition. Nutritional supplements that contain proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are frequently utilized in various sports to complement the recommended daily amounts. Several of these supplements have been identified to have physiological effects and, thus, are known to help enhance athletic performance and prevent injuries. Our review intends to show the interp [...]

by Waqar Husain  , Farrukh Ijaz  , Muhammad Ahmad Husain  , Marwa Zulfiqar  and Javeria Khalique

Received: 20 December 2023;  Published: 23 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401011

The assessment of mental health and mental disorders has undergone extensive exploration within the field of psychology, resulting in various models and approaches. In addition to traditional ways like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, psychologists have proposed alternative perspectives for evaluating mental health. One such innovative approach is the psychosocial health model, which defines mental well-being as sexual, emotional, social, environmental, cognitive, religious, moral, and spi [...]

by Fraser L.E. Fisher  and Aileen M. Pidgeon

Received: 10 July 2018;  Published: 21 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803015

Elevated levels of psychological distress in university students is a growing area of concern as it is associated with a variety of consequences including mental illness symptoms, absenteeism, and poor academic performance. A growing body of research has indicated that resilience in university students is associated with reduced psychological distress and perceived stress. The construct of resilience and the factors that contribute to its development are not well understood, hampering the development of effective i [...]

by Francesco V. Marino

Received: 27 April 2021;  Published: 28 September 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103032

Homeopathy, a system of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM, according to WHO definition), is under frequent attack by skeptics because of its supposed “lack of evidence.” To overcome the distrust of skeptics and the public, many databases have been created, which focused on collecting all the published and indexed studies; however, none of these seem to be “comprehensive” and systematic enough. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the most reliable and available homeopathic studies in order to systemat [...]

by Tobyn Bell  , Jane Montague  , James Elander  , Matthew Pugh  and Paul Gilbert

Received: 01 July 2023;  Published: 19 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303037

Chairwork is a central component in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). Despite its importance, there has been no prior research on the relational factors underpinning the application of chairwork in CFT. There is also a general paucity of research on the role of the therapeutic relationship in chairwork across modalities. This paper analyses data from interviews with 21 clients following a CFT chairwork intervention to ascertain how relational factors influenced their experience of this method. An Interpretative Phe [...]

by Danielle Gentile  , Danielle Boselli  , Matthew Flores  , Susan Yaguda  , Rebecca Greiner  , Paulomi Campbell  and Chasse Bailey-Dorton

Received: 31 October 2019;  Published: 21 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2001008

Literature suggests Oncology Massage (OM) reduces anxiety. However, research is limited in large, diverse, nonexperimentally manipulated outpatient samples of cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to 1) describe OM visit patterns, 2) describe anxiety response to OM, and 3) determine if OM resulted in significantly reduced anxiety at first visit, across all visits, and longitudinally over time controlling for demographic factors. From January 2015-June 2019, a cohesive, consecutive, retrospective sample eva [...]

by Giuseppe De Benedittis

Received: 25 August 2020;  Published: 31 August 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2003039

by Lyndsie Koon  , Robert Brustad  and Megan Babkes Stellino

Received: 15 May 2019;  Published: 27 November 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904064

Physical activity participation has been found to favorably influence cognitive function across the lifespan. Specific characteristics, or qualities, of physical activity involvement (e.g., type, intensity, level of cognitive demand) may yield particular benefits. The purpose of this study was two-fold. The first objective was to develop taxonomies for two physical activity characteristics of interest: the level of task complexity (motoric and cognitive) and the level of social engagement. The second objective was [...]

by Elisabeth Goad

Received: 06 March 2022;  Published: 04 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301002

Compassion-Focused Therapy is an integrative therapeutic model with a wealth of evidence behind its efficacy. Its accessibility leads it to be a helpful therapeutic modality for the intellectual disability population. Its ability to aid the understanding of the person, us as clinicians, and the wider context around us give a depth of understanding not prioritised across all therapeutic models. This article explores Compassion-Focused Therapy in the context of working alongside people with intellectual disabilities. [...]

by Jasmine French  , Richard J. Brown  and Tobyn Bell

Received: 25 August 2023;  Published: 11 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304041

Soothing-rhythm breathing (SRB) is a core component of compassion focused therapy (CFT). While integral to CFT, research has yet to explore personal experiences of SRB. This study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals with depression who had practiced SRB in NHS primary care services. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse data from individual semi-structured interviews. Three experiential themes were identified: ‘mind-body connection and bodily needs’, ‘a new relationship with [...]

by Jozélio Freire de Carvalho

Received: 10 September 2025;  Published: 10 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504043

Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive method that regulates the autonomic nervous system via electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Recent literature demonstrates that taVNS can decrease systemic inflammation, attenuate emotional disorders, modulate autonomic functions, and facilitate neural plasticity. This review examines the neurophysiological mechanisms of taVNS, including stimulation paradigms (short- and intensive, prolonged), and clinical findi [...]

by Gary Stanton

Received: 22 March 2019;  Published: 04 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902034

A 16 year old girl was evaluated for intractable hiccups for 6 six months, with a prior negative clinical and laboratory evaluation, and without any improvement with a variety of folk and medicinal therapies. A single treatment session of auriculotherapy produced a full clinical remission.

by Krisztian Kasos  , Luca Csirmaz  , Fanni Vikor  , Szabolcs Zimonyi  , Katalin Varga  and Anna Szekely

Received: 07 February 2020;  Published: 01 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2002017

Hypnosis has proven to be an effective treatment in disorders that affect the autonomic nervous system (ANS). However, the studies investigating the nature of its effect on the ANS have reported contradictory results. Measurement of electrodermal activity (EDA) is an objective way to assess the activity of the sympathetic branch of the ANS. We aim to elucidate the effects of hypnosis on EDA. Here, we report the results of two studies, both investigating the psychophysiological effects of hypnosis.In the first exper [...]

by Siti Hana Nasir  , Olga Troynikov  , Dawn Wong Lit Wan  and Zhen Zheng

Received: 25 February 2019;  Published: 02 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903053

Background: Pressure and thermal therapy gloves are the two types of therapeutic gloves that are commonly used to relieve symptoms and improve hand function in patients with hand arthritis. However, no published clinical study exists indicating ideal pressure and thermal stimuli for the gloves. Understanding user thresholds for the pressure and thermal stimuli is crucial to improve therapeutic outcomes, wearer's comfort, and adherence to the therapy. There were two main aims of this pilot study, firstly to examine [...]

by Avneet K. Mangat  and Georg M. Schmölzer

Received: 07 June 2019;  Published: 20 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903051

The incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is increasing due to more mothers using illicit drugs. This results in an increase in costs and resources for the healthcare system. Newborns with NAS might experience withdrawal symptoms that can cause pain, distress, and may potentially increase the risk of future health complications. It is therefore important to find effective treatments that can alleviate NAS. Various non-pharmacological treatments are used in conjunction with pharmacological treatments to re [...]

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 Peta Stapleton  and Hannah Chatwin

Received: 17 May 2018;  Published: 02 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803014

(1) Background: Because patients vary in their response to treatment, including adherence, the effect of treatment length in the use of EFT on food cravings was examined by comparing two studies in order to ascertain if shorter programs are as effective. This may then impact treatment adherence and completion. (2) Methods: In study one, 96 overweight and obese adults were randomly allocated to a 4-week treatment for their food craving or waitlist condition. In study two, an 8-week EFT program for 47 adults, the sam [...]