by Nabila Enam  , Sara Benham  and Nancy Green

Received: 09 August 2023;  Published: 30 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304048

This study examined the effects of virtual mindfulness meditation programming on sleep efficiency using wearable tracking devices, as well as effects on sleep quality and perceived stress in higher education students. A one-group, pretest-posttest design with convenience sampling and rolling recruitment over a six-month period resulted in twenty-five participants who completed the study and were included in data analysis. Paired t-tests were used to determine statistical significance for sleep efficiency measured u [...]

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 Poppy L.A. Schoenberg

Received: 17 October 2023;  Published: 25 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304046

The digital transformation of healthcare is accelerating. At the forefront of this revolution is the development of the "metaverse." This multidimensional digital universe, where virtual and physical realities converge, is reshaping the potential of integrative and complementary medicine. In this special edition journal series, we explore how metaverse technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, avatars, digital twins, blockchain smart contracts, and more, are poised to revolutionize holistic healthcar [...]

by Michael A. Franklin

Received: 27 March 2023;  Published: 25 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304045

Art therapy, imaginal mindfulness, yoga, and meditation were personal and collegial necessities for surviving the emotional fallout of isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Combining these practices offered us credible resources for enhancing our social, cultural, and spiritual wellness when faced with the loneliness of lockdown living. This article applies an autoethnographic lens highlighting the value of these contemplative tools for managing pandemic related distress within myself and my professional peer gro [...]

by Katie Lahue  , Eliana Rivera  and Sara Schmidt

Received: 03 June 2023;  Published: 24 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304044

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a host of issues for hospitalized patients including increased anxiety, fear, isolation, and depression [1]. Expressive Therapies have been used in the pediatric medical setting for decades to support patients and families with coping, expression, processing, and rehabilitation [2,3,4,5]. Additionally, some studies suggest that Expressive Therapies were effective in helping ease the increase in mental health symptoms that occurred during the pandemic. During the pandemic the expressi [...]

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 Ami Rokach  and Karishma Patel

Received: 27 July 2023;  Published: 13 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304042

The healthcare industry is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world; however, being a part of the healthcare system involves being at an increased risk of experiencing mental health problems, loneliness, stress, and increased susceptibility to experiencing compassion fatigue related to the emotional wear associated with providing patient-centered care. Healthcare workers include, but are not limited, to physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and psychologists. Often, healthcare workers place [...]

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 Rebecca L. Utz  , Michael Caserta  , Eli Iacob  , Catharine Sparks  , Louisa Stark  , Alexandra Terrill  , Amber Thompson  and Bob Wong

Received: 15 June 2023;  Published: 08 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304040

Dementia caregivers are susceptible to adverse physical and mental health outcomes, given the often prolonged and challenging care and support they provide to family members with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). This report describes a community-engaged implementation of a novel behavioral intervention - an “app” (interactive website) called TLC (Time for Living and Caring) that coaches caregivers on how to maximize the benefits associated with respite time. The rationale and features of the TLC in [...]

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 Jordan Ensz  and Changiz Mohiyeddini

Received: 06 March 2023;  Published: 19 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303038

Burnout is a chronic state of exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Medical training has been shown to leave many medical students vulnerable to burnout, which can negatively impact their health and patient care. While resilience has been associated with lower burnout, the mechanisms through which resilience reduces burnout are not well established. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether difficulties with emotion regulation mediate the relationship between resilience and burnout among medical students. [...]

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 Jennifer A. King  , Megan R. Holmes  , Kylie Evans  , Anna E. Bender  and Dakota King-White

Received: 28 February 2023;  Published: 07 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303036

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the long-standing issues of stress and burnout in the education sector, with teachers and education staff facing unprecedented challenges including significant adjustments to teaching methods and balancing the mental health and academic needs of their students. The resulting challenges have contributed to heightened levels of stress and burnout among teachers and education staff. The impact of the pandemic on teachers and education staff has highlighted the need for greater support [...]

by Alberto Dubbini

Received: 02 April 2023;  Published: 07 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303035

This article aims to analyze how Western researchers can be influenced by their epistemic and ethical foundations, which are also expressed through a culturally shared idea of therapy, and how this influence can significantly hinder the understanding of a different cultural reality and its resources in terms of knowledge and practices. While examining a collection of research cases in the field of psychedelic therapy, the present paper focuses on the obstacles created by ethical and epistemic conflicts in the mind [...]

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 Verena Hofmann  , Céline Pagnotta  , Noémie Lacombe  and Myriam Squillaci

Received: 30 March 2023;  Published: 10 August 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303033

Burnout is a syndrome commonly characterized by the three dimensions of Maslach and Leiter's model, namely emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of professional accomplishment. While burnout affects individuals in all professions, teachers are recognized as being at particular risk, a fact explained in the literature by the high level of relational demands inherent to the profession. During the pandemic and subsequently, these demands have even increased. Several studies have focused on the influence of [...]

by Michael Lincoln  , Stephen Aichele  , Emma L.M. Clark  , Maggie Dungan  , Ashley Harvey  , Lillian Hoyer  , Yuqin Jiao  , Steffany Josslin  , Frances Russell  and Zeynep Biringen

Received: 12 May 2023;  Published: 27 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303032

Fathers are a historically underrepresented population in developmental research and must be considered for their modern presentation in parenting processes. Emotional Availability (EA) is a construct that captures the parent-child relationship quality and predicts positive outcomes for children. A recently developed intervention, the EA Brief, is a program conceptualized for easy administration that may be utilized to improve father-child dyadic functioning across a range of child ages. The final sample of interes [...]

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 Tammy Lennox  and Angela Kennedy

Received: 08 February 2022;  Published: 20 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303030

The current article describes the application of the Compassion Focussed (CF) formulation to the interaction between individuals and their social context. The standard CF formulation [1] would see the person’s fears as inadvertently reinforced by their attempts to cope with the underlying issue. However, sometimes such attempts to cope can also reinforce the fears of another person or party. Interpersonal CF formulations could provide a compassionate, non-blaming way of enlightening people in their interactions to [...]

by Deborah A. Sharpe  and Lisa D. Hinz

Received: 30 May 2023;  Published: 19 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303029

This study explored how the global COVID-19 pandemic changed the ways in which art therapists use art in their therapeutic practice. Art has repeatedly been linked to healing in a variety of settings, but generally art therapists have been accustomed to conducting therapy sessions in person. Prior to the pandemic most art therapists preferred in-person sessions for a variety of therapeutic reasons. Although there are clearly downsides to meeting remotely, there have been unforeseen advantages, as well. The present [...]

by Or Shalev

Received: 28 April 2023;  Published: 11 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303028

This case report explores the shifts in therapeutic power relations during the COVID-19 pandemic between an art therapist and her Deaf client diagnosed with schizophrenia. A therapeutic journey of two and a half years is described, accompanied by examples of the client's artwork. This case report demonstrates how a shared reality in times of global crisis enabled the rethinking of therapeutic power relations and the way art was used to shift these dynamics. The art therapist's ability to use her shared reality expe [...]

by Hofit Edna Mashiah  and Susana Pendzik

Received: 25 May 2023;  Published: 11 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303027

This paper follows a preliminary study that examined how 6 (n = 6) creative arts therapists (3 art therapists and 3 drama therapists) coped with the transition to remote therapy in schools during the first lockdown in Israel due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The preliminary research explored the therapists’ experiences and views about working online upon returning to regular in-person meetings. The current paper adds a follow-up interview examining their perspective on this period, two years later. The 1st set of in [...]

by Rebecca MacDonald  , Carol Wiebe  and Gilles Comeau

Received: 17 March 2023;  Published: 05 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303026

The arts offer many health benefits and can be especially impactful in hospital or continuing care facilities through group art interventions or personalized art activities. Arts can also be socially prescribed to fulfill social needs, improve emotional well-being, and have a positive impact of the social determinants of heath. This feasibility study explores the value of a pilot program that brought personalized virtual 1-on-1 art performances to residents in long-term care (LTC) during the Covid-19 pandemic which [...]

by Deepti Singh Chalia  , Anil Khurana  , Mehul Trivedi  , Pinaken Trivedi  , Sarita Gola  and Parul Singh

Received: 20 February 2023;  Published: 28 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302025

This retrospective data analysis study aims to analyze the data collected during adjunctive homeopathy treatment of COVID-19 patients by the Homoeopathic medical officers (HMO) in Gujarat state-dedicated COVID-19 hospitals (DCH) during the first wave of the pandemic. The HMOs used the standard data collection forms/sheets to record each patient's demographic information, clinical symptoms, homoeopathic management, and outcome data. Data of all cases hospitalized with COVID-19 of any age, and both genders were i [...]

by Rebecca MacDonald  and Anna Zumbansen

Received: 26 February 2023;  Published: 13 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302024

Group singing as a social musical activity can be used to improve the quality of life, well-being, and overall health of people with dementia and caregivers. Online choirs have gained awareness since the COVID-19 pandemic; however, singing in an online choir is an unsatisfying experience for most choir members in the general population. In order to report on the feasibility of creating an online choir for people with dementia, we studied a successful case of such a choir. This choir began and continued online for o [...]

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 Allison B. Ventura  , Barbara I. Kissam  , Kandise Chrestensen  , Ian Tfirn  , Jennifer Brailsford  and Lourdes P. Dale

Received: 27 November 2022;  Published: 24 May 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302022

Mindful education (ME) in schools can address student well-being and stressors, as well as improve the overall school environment. Implementing a whole-school mindfulness curriculum can be challenging, especially when serving students in both general education and emotional behavioral disorder (EBD) settings. We investigated the feasibility, implementation, and benefits of a whole-school mindfulness curriculum (MindUP) in an urban elementary school. This study is unique in that it investigated how to implement mind [...]

by Chetna Deep Lamba  , Praveen Oberai  , Bharti Wadhwa  , Suraia Parveen  , Arti Soren  , Rajachandrasekar Bhuvaneswari  , Prasanta Kumar Pradhan  , Vaishali Shinde  and Jaya Gupta

Received: 17 October 2022;  Published: 16 May 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302021

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in the reduction or resolution of breast fibroadenoma (FA) through ultrasound (US) assessment in intervention and control groups. The secondary objective was to compare the efficacy of the homeopathic intervention in single and multiple fibroadenomas. A single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted from January 2014 to June 2018 at 4 research centers with 6 months of follow-up. Females in the age group [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 18 April 2023;  Published: 19 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302020

This editorial briefly describes possible relationships and similarities between chess and acupuncture. Although the methods of chess and acupuncture could not be more different, possible joint effects on the brain can be hypothesized. However, the effectiveness of these joint effects has yet to be proven in scientific studies. Both chess and acupuncture can be used to improve physical and mental well-being. According to the author, the Yintang point could play a key role here.

by Traci Jarrett  , Ilana Haliwa  , Jennifer Ludrosky  , Ashley Mason  , Gretchen Prather  , Brittney Barlett  , Amy Snodgrass  and Geri Dino

Received: 30 November 2022;  Published: 13 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302019

Teacher burnout is one of the primary drivers of turnover. Skills such as improved classroom management have been shown to mitigate teacher burnout. COVID-19 created classroom disruption and an unprecedented youth mental health crisis. This study examined the effectiveness of a school-based mindfulness training at improving classroom management self-efficacy and reducing teacher burnout during COVID-19. Elementary school personnel were invited to participate in two versions of Kidding Around Yoga training and to im [...]

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 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 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 Alexandra Rose  , Max Tupper  and Chris Irons

Received: 15 November 2022;  Published: 17 February 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301015

An individual’s wellbeing at work is now recognised as key, particularly for those in challenging environment’s such as health and social care. Focusing on the cultivation of (mindful) compassion has been shown to be an effective way of improving mental health. This service evaluation focused on a pilot drop-in group for council and NHS staff, informed by Compassionate Mind Training. It was facilitated during the COVID-19 pandemic, between April – August 2020. The group was evaluated by recording the number and cha [...]

by Kristen McHenry  , Megan Koster  , Gen Ludwig  , Yong Gao  and Jennifer Eichmeyer

Received: 25 October 2022;  Published: 14 February 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301014

This study aimed to examine and compare the extent of burnout among health science faculty at a higher education institution and their self-reported perception of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The design of the study was cross-sectional, descriptive survey research. An electronic questionnaire was developed to measure the constructs of burnout and well-being. Validated instruments used in the survey included the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) and the World Health Organization-5 Well-being Index. The [...]

by Katrina McFerran  , Carmen Cheong-Clinch  , Jennifer Bibb  and TanChyuan Chin

Received: 21 November 2022;  Published: 08 February 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301013

Lockdowns were a central strategy for managing the outbreak of COVID-19, and Melbourne, Australia had some of the most extensive restrictions globally during 2021. As a result, university students were faced with isolated living and challenging learning experiences. This pilot study occurred during 2021, close to both university assignment due dates and end of semester examinations and some of the longest lockdowns. Seventy-one participants responded to recruitment materials describing using music playlists to mana [...]

by Yossi Ehrenreich

Received: 17 May 2022;  Published: 06 February 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301012

This paper aims to introduce a relatively novel approach for Hypnosis to treat Depersonalization-derealization Disorder (DPRD). Depersonalization is conceptualized as a disrupted interoceptive process disorder. Based on this conceptualization, Hypnotic intervention is tailored to counter the flawed process. It is exemplified by a case of a young man suffering from depersonalization disorder who couldn't bear looking at himself in the mirror. The hypnotic intervention used in this case is then explained by predictiv [...]

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 Jennifer S. Jewell  , Ashley Brooks-Russell  and Jenn Leiferman

Received: 11 November 2022;  Published: 29 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301010

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects a notable number of women. While many of the risk and protective factors for PPD are specific to the mother, there are also factors that are related to the partner. However, the partner is often overlooked when assessing the landscape of PPD and potential treatment programs. This study sought to expand the knowledge on partner perceptions during the perinatal period. This online, cross-sectional survey of fathers who were in relationships with mothers who had given birth within t [...]

by Moira A. Law  , Pamela Pastirik  and Isdore Chola Shamputa

Received: 31 August 2022;  Published: 28 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301009

The experience of loss due to death, illness, and social mitigation was inevitable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health services are chronically difficult to access in Canada, and this barrier is further exacerbated when trying to access certified art therapists to deliver expressive arts therapy. This pilot project attempted to provide an alternative to this service through an interprofessional alliance with a professional artist and certified counselors. A small group (n = 6) of vulnerable youth who had su [...]

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 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 Chloe Moran  , Hannah Shaw  , Sue Black  and Kay Brewster

Received: 29 July 2022;  Published: 16 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301006

There is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of brief, group-based compassionate mind training (CMT) in reducing shame and self-criticism, and increasing self-compassion. The current evaluation of an 8-week CMT group programme in an NHS Physical Health Psychology Service supports these findings. Based on a cross-diagnostic sample of 25-39 participants with physical health difficulties, results demonstrate significant reduction in depression and anxiety, significant increase in perceived wellbeing and acceptan [...]

by Poppy L.A. Schoenberg  and Katlyn M. Gonzalez

Received: 13 October 2022;  Published: 12 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301005

Chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant cause of death in the world and entail severe impairment to quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks chronic inflammatory diseases as the greatest threat to human health and wellbeing. Inflammation is epicentral to many clinical conditions and symptoms, and it is anticipated that the health, economic, and mortality burdens associated with chronic inflammation will steadily increase in the United States over the next 30 years. An inflammatory m [...]

by Kara B. Dassel  , Eli Iacob  , Rebecca L. Utz  , Katherine P. Supiano  and Hollie Furhmann

Received: 01 September 2022;  Published: 06 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301004

Due to the insidious progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), surrogate decision-makers typically make medical and long-term-care decisions for a care recipient, most often a family care partner. Unfortunately, many care recipient/care partner dyads have failed to engage in advance care planning or have lost the opportunity to do so due to the cognitive decline of the care recipient. To address this need, our team created a validated dementia-focused advance care planning tool known as t [...]

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 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 Neil E Clapton  and Syd Hiskey

Received: 31 July 2022;  Published: 04 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301001

Traditional Martial Arts practice(s) can be construed as forms of fully embodied Compassionate Mind Training (CMT). Integration of these body-mind systems can be a powerful means to cultivate and entrain important therapist competencies in compassionate engagement and action. Through such training and personal practice, compassion-focused therapists can develop and enhance their abilities to stimulate and access compassionate motivation at a deeply embodied level. Martial arts-informed CMT thus has the potential to [...]

by Manon Dethoor  , François Vialatte  , Marion Martinelli  , Pauline Peri  , Christophe Lançon  and Marion Trousselard

Received: 23 August 2022;  Published: 28 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204058

While there is abundant literature on the benefits of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI), data about factors associated with their Efficiency are scarce. Our study attempts to determine the moderators of efficacy and adherence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with a machine learning analysis. Seventy-six psychiatric outpatients at “university hospital mental health service” had a prescription for MBCT from their referring psychiatrist. They suffer from various psychiatric illnesses with [...]

by Suchandra Goswami  , Shivangi Saxena  , Shalini Yadav  , Diptendu Goswami  , Koushik Brahmachari  , Sruti Karmakar  , Biswajit Pramanik  and Sunil Brahmachari

Received: 22 May 2022;  Published: 27 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204057

Curcumin, the yellow principle of the Indian Turmeric, ‘Haldi’ has recently attracted renewed interest in the field of experimental medicine with pleiotropic activity. This review has emphasized three pharmaceutical studies of interest: the pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and pharmacodynamics of curcumin. In this review, we attempted to review the general pharmacokinetics profile, pharmacokinetic interactions, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic interactions of curcumin and its formulations. Different species of tu [...]

by Diego A. Bonilla

Received: 21 December 2022;  Published: 26 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204056

Anthropometric measurements are frequently used to assess changes in body composition in different populations. Despite being a cheap, in-field, and relatively valid technique, the COVID-19 pandemic has impulse research on digital anthropometry across the globe. Machine learning, as the convergence of artificial intelligence and data mining, has the potential to improve data collection and analysis in the applications of kinanthropometry. Far from replacing conventional methods, digital anthropometry is a powerful [...]

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 Joseph S. D'Arrigo

Received: 26 June 2022;  Published: 19 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204054

The cardiovascular risk factors for dementia trigger widespread inflammation and oxidative stress. These two interacting processes lead to neurodegeneration, gradual cognitive/memory decline, and eventually (late-onset) dementia. In addition, there is supporting evidence pointing to elevated pulse pressure as a clear risk factor for cognitive decline. Accordingly, an effective therapeutic strategy to delay dementia could be based upon nanotargeting bioactive molecules, using lipid nanocarriers, toward cell-surface [...]

by Justin Chin  , Alexandra Over  , Ana Christina Reyes  , Connie Chen  , Elise Hsu  , Christine Lomiguen  and Tipsuda Junsanto-Bahri

Received: 19 September 2022;  Published: 12 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204053

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an important feature of patient medical history. This study sought to investigate the perceptions of medical students at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem, New York (TouroCOM-NY) regarding Asian-origin CAM practices. An anonymous survey was distributed to first and second year TouroCOM-NY medical students, asking about their familiarity with, and general attitude towards, five categories of Asian-origin CAM (acupuncture, reiki, tai chi, Ayurveda, and use [...]

by Poppy L.A. Schoenberg  and Katlyn M. Gonzalez

Received: 27 March 2022;  Published: 05 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204052

The multi-dimensional measurement of complex biological systems and sub-systems is made possible by high-dimensional omics technologies. This frontier of research is promising for elucidating disease processes, physiological parameters, and therapeutic action mechanisms. Omics have potential merit for the integrative medicine field that is relatively early in terms of mechanistic research towards understanding the underlining therapeutic processes of mind-body interventions that show to affect multiple systems simu [...]

by Emma Maloney  , Clodagh Dowling  , Tara Deehan  and Gary O' Reilly

Received: 29 July 2022;  Published: 18 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204051

To compare client response to a 3-stage phased intervention for complex trauma, comparing (1) those who received face-to-face intervention with (2) those who received a hybrid of face-to-face moving mid-therapy to online intervention with (3) those who received online only. Comparing quantitative and qualitative outcome data from 3 consecutive groups (N=22) who participated in a 3-stage phased intervention for complex trauma (1) face-to-face intervention (n=7); (2) a mix of face-to-face and online intervention (n=6 [...]

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 Nils Altner  and Jasmin Friedrich

Received: 05 September 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204049

In this study, we present the results of a 48-hour mindfulness-based and compassion-based training for teachers (N = 59). This study included 3,250 students in two years. We strengthened the resources of teachers and students for health, especially for preventing addiction. The didactic approach was based on the concepts of embodiment and resonance. We first trained teachers and then encouraged them to teach students in the classroom. Qualitative data were collected on the presence of teachers, relationship buildin [...]

by Becky Dafters  , Sarah Mackintosh  and Chris Irons

Received: 29 July 2022;  Published: 03 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204048

The current paper explores the impact of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) when delivered in a group setting to people with a range of diagnoses presenting to a Community Mental Health Team. In total five groups of 14 to 18 sessions were run with an average of five participants completing each group. A range of self-report measures examining global psychological distress, self-criticism, depression, anxiety and stress, emotion regulation, social comparison, shame and compassionate attributes and skills were administ [...]

by Nasim Foroughi  , Laura Douglass  , Caroline A. Smith  and Phillipa Hay

Received: 11 July 2022;  Published: 09 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204047

Depression and mental health-related issues are increasingly prevalent in young adolescents and adults and so is the use of Complementary Therapies (CTs) to treat depression. Systematic reviews have found that, of all CTs, acupuncture, exercise, and the herbal remedy St John’s Wort have the greatest amount of evidence for efficacy in treating depression. We aimed to assess Mental Health Literacy (MHL) levels in the treatment of depression and Complementary Therapy’s (CT) usage in adolescents and adults. Surveys wer [...]

by Paul Andrew Entwistle

Received: 09 March 2022;  Published: 26 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203046

Much has been written about the aetiological role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the development of chronic adult physical and emotional health problems but current screening methods utilising questionnaires and formal interviewing often fail to show consensus across populations and surveys. This paper proposes that hypnotic regression might provide an alternative approach to ACE screening through its facility in revealing unsuspected and seemingly minor ACEs, which nevertheless can go on to have long t [...]

by Elaine Beaumont  , Chris Irons  and Sue McAndrew

Received: 25 May 2022;  Published: 26 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203045

Self-guided, smartphone apps may be helpful in reducing symptoms associated with psychological distress and may boost wellbeing, and levels of compassion. To our knowledge this is the first study to examine the impact a 28-day app based on Compassion Focused Therapy and Compassionate Mind Training has on participant’s levels of compassion, wellbeing, and self-criticism. The Self-Compassion App includes exercises, meditations, quotes, a daily wisdom, and audios, all of which aim to help individuals develop com [...]

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 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 Gerhard Litscher

Received: 18 September 2022;  Published: 19 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203042

This editorial briefly discusses the issue of potential toxicity in the case of long-term photobiomodulation (PBM). Scientific articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure were included in a heterogeneous search. There have been very few studies on the long-term effects of PBM, as well as its potential toxicity. There is no evidence that PBM is toxic when used at therapeutic or imaging doses. There are no such concerns with intracranial PBM application (e.g., optical fiber) [...]

by John R. Holmberg

Received: 31 May 2022;  Published: 14 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203041

The perinatal period represents a unique developmental window for families and an opportunity to reach and engage fathers in research and preventive interventions. The distinctiveness of this period stems from the changes and stressors that parents experience which affect their openness to enroll in interventions (e.g., adaptive parenting, physical and mental health, relationship skills, and economic self-sufficiency) and participate in research. While long understudied, paternal research in the perinatal period ha [...]

by Aminata Bicego  , Pauline Delmal  , Didier Ledoux  , Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville  , Benoît Maertens de Noordhout  , Alfredo Cerasoli  , Héléna Cassol  , Olivia Gosseries  and Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse

Received: 29 June 2022;  Published: 09 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203040

Phantom limb pain occurs in more than half of the people who have undergone an amputation. Hypnosis can alleviate pain effectively in experimental, procedural, and chronic pain. Thus, in this multiple-case study, we determined whether hypnosis might be a successful complementary approach to help patients with phantom limb pain in alleviating their pain quality (i.e., sensitive and affective), intensity, fatigue, and emotional distress (i.e., anxiety and depression). Seven patients experiencing phantom limb pain wer [...]

by Simone Lindsey  , Syd Hiskey  , Chris Irons  and Leanne Andrews

Received: 06 July 2021;  Published: 07 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203039

Research has shown that compassion – whether to others, from others or to oneself – can be associated with improved well-being and mental health. Most measures to date focus on one of these flows of compassion, with only one recently published scale tracking all three. The primary aim of the current study was to investigate the psychometric properties of The Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales (CEAS) in a UK sample. The secondary aims were to investigate the level of compassion, as measured by th [...]

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 Lucia D. Willems  , Stefania V. Vacaru  , Hannelies Hokke  and Paula S. Sterkenburg

Received: 30 May 2022;  Published: 24 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203037

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at a higher risk of shame and self-criticism and tend to make downward social comparisons. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is commonly used to address these issues in the general population, however, information on the adaptability and effectiveness of CFT for individuals with ID is limited. Thus, we conducted a scoping review of studies on CFT for individuals with ID, to accumulate and consolidate the information and provide a basis for future studies to further [...]

by Luis F. Riquelme  , Sara Diab  , Angela Horyacheva  , Isabel Huribal  , Andreea Shellerud  , Sophia Werden Abrams  and Ashwini M. Namasivayam-MacDonald

Received: 29 April 2022;  Published: 11 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203036

The purpose of this study was to collate and summarize the content covered in published literature describing speech-language pathology management of adult patients with COVID-19 in the acute hospital setting as of February 2022. This review serves as an updated review of the initial recommendations to guide speech-language pathology management for adults with COVID-19 in the acute hospital setting previously provided by Namasivayam-MacDonald and Riquelme in July of 2020. This scoping review followed the Preferred [...]

by Rachel Snodgrass  , Joanna Carnell  and Tim Chapman

Received: 31 May 2022;  Published: 10 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203035

This study presents a mixed methods evaluation of a transdiagnostic Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) group intervention, for adults with long-term health conditions (LTHCs). It aims to assess whether group completion was associated with improved outcomes in mood, overall well-being and the extent of LTHC interference in confidence for managing daily activities. Additionally, it examines the extent to which changes were related to processes targeted by CFT. The ‘Living Well with Illness’ group consisted of eleven we [...]

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 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 James D Adams

Received: 01 August 2022;  Published: 04 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203032

Oral pain medicines are routinely used to treat pain and chronic pain. Recent evidence shows that many of these medicines actually increase chronic pain when used over several weeks. Patients should be encouraged to find alternative pain treatments and avoid oral medicines for pain.