by Joseph V. Pergolizzi  , Aaron Tabor  , Jo Ann LeQuang  , Michael Annabi  and Hani Annabi

Received: 05 June 2019;  Published: 05 November 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904062

Background: The ketogenic diet (KD) was developed in the 1920s as a treatment for pediatric epilepsy and is emerging as a possible treatment option for certain mental health disorders. There is a link between certain mental health disorders and epilepsy, suggesting some commonality among underlying mechanisms. Methods: The literature relating to mental disorders and the KD is sparse. The authors attempt to a narrative review of the existing literature to show that there may be validity to studying the KD as a treat [...]

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 Francesco Sivelli  , Elio Rossi  , Sonia Baccetti  , Mariella Di Stefano  , Eugenia Gallo  and Fabio Firenzuoli

Received: 27 September 2018;  Published: 18 October 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904060

Phytotherapy, which is defined as the use of titrated herbal extracts in clinical practice, has been receiving increasing interest in the scientific community recently. In the present report, information regarding the most important mechanisms underlying the drug-drug interactions (DDI) and herb-drug interactions (HDI) has been discussed briefly. Furthermore, the best known and relevant interactions of Ginkgo biloba, Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit Juice), Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle), Hypericum perforatum (St. John [...]

by Myriam Rudaz  , Thomas Ledermann  , Michael P. Twohig  and Michael E. Levin

Received: 24 May 2019;  Published: 10 October 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904059

Background: There is robust evidence that mindfulness trainings enhance mindfulness as operationalized in Western psychology, but evidence about their effect on aspects of heartfulness is sparse. The present study, therefore, sought to evaluate whether a brief mindfulness training enhances heart qualities, including self-compassion, gratitude, and the generation of feelings of happiness. Methods: Eighteen students enrolled in a mindfulness training that was offered as part of an interdisciplinary class. The trainin [...]

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 Niamh Flynn

Received: 01 July 2019;  Published: 26 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903057

Hypnosis interventions consistently produce significant decreases in pain associated with a variety of chronic-pain problems (Elkins, Jensen & Patterson 2007) while neurophysiological studies have shown that specific hypnotic suggestions have clear effects on the brain and spinal cord functioning (Jensen & Patterson 2014; Flynn, 2019). Thus, it isuseful for clinicians who practise hypnotherapy to understand pain paradigms.

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 Thibault Deschamps

Received: 24 July 2019;  Published: 24 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903055

Let’s consider the issues of exercise and cognitive function from a different angle, by moving from sitting to standing for instance. Not only does seeing anything from different perspectives reflect our cognitive flexibility [1], it also has a direct impact on the executive performance. Interestingly, recent studies reported a smaller Stroop effect when standing than when sitting [2-3] or after stepping backward [4], evidencing that the body posture enhances selective attention and cognitive control. Hence a call [...]

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

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

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

by 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 [...]