Special Issue

Experience and activities of the Regional Tuscan Centre for Integrative Medicine

Submission Deadline: October 30, 2018 (Closed)

Guest Editor

Elio Rossi, MD

1. Tuscan Regional Centre for Integrative Medicine, Region of Tuscany, 50100 Florence, Italy
2. Homeopathic Centre of Lucca, Local Health Unit Tuscany north-west, Italy

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Research Interests: infectious diseases; homeopathy; complementary medicine

Co-Editors

Sonia Baccetti, MD

Tuscan Regional Centre for Integrative Medicine

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Mariella Di Stefano,

Tuscan Regional Centre for Integrative Medicine

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About This Topic

The integration of complementary medicine (CM) in the regional public health of Tuscany started in the Nineties; it is widely considered the most relevant experience in Italy.

In 2005 based on a sufficient level of evidence, four CM - acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy and manual medicine - were included in the regional Essential Levels of Assistance. In the same year, a regional law stipulated to provide CM to Tuscan citizens in the public health system. In 2007, the regional Law n. 9 regulated training and accreditation of professionals and schools in acupuncture, herbal medicine and homeopathy.

This integration in the healthcare public service guarantees safety to citizens, since CM are subject to the same rules of official medicine and must respond to the same criteria of quality and appropriateness.

According to recent regulation, the priority areas where the Tuscan regional health system must provide CM services to Tuscan citizens are cancer care, pain control, promotion of physiological childbirth in low-risk pregnancies, gender medicine, prevention and treatment of upper respiratory infections and atopic diseases in childhood and adulthood.

The last survey (2016) reported that public clinics providing CM in the regional healthcare system of Tuscany were 85 for 36,290 visits in that year.

Planned Papers

Editorial
Elio Rossi, Local Health Unit Tuscany north-west

The process of integration of complementary medicines in public healthcare service of Tuscany
Katia Belvedere, Directorate Citizen’s Rights and Social Cohesion, Region of Tuscany

Acupuncture for secondary symptoms of menopause
Valeria Monechi, Local Health Unit Tuscany centre

The experience of the Integrated Medicine Hospital in Pitigliano
Simonetta Bernardini, Local Health Unit Tuscany south-east

Interactions herbs /drugs
Fabio Firenzuoli, Careggi University Hospital Florence

Integrative anesthesia in breast cancer surgery
Filippo Bosco, Pisa University Hospital

Integrative approach to the treatment of diabetes
Rosaria Ferreri, Local Health Unit Tuscany south-east

Acupuncture in palliative care
Franco Cracolici, Local Health Unit Tuscany south-east

Homeopathic treatment of atopic diseases
Elio Rossi, Local Health Unit Tuscany north-west

Homeopathy for paediatric patients
Maria Marchitiello, Local Health Unit Tuscany north-west

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine in breast cancer: pain and hot flashes
Sonia Baccetti, Local Health Unit Tuscany centre

Complementary medicine and lifestyles. A regional survey
Mariella Di Stefano, Tuscan Regional Centre for Integrative Medicine

Chinese Medicine for breech position
Elena Cerri, Local Health Unit Tuscany north-west

Acupuncture for chemo-related nausea and vomiting
Carmelo Guido, Careggi University Hospital Florence

Complementary medicine in the programs of Tuscan health international cooperation
Maria José Caldés Pinilla, Global Health Centre, Region of Tuscany

Manuscript Submission Information

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Publication

Open Access Research Article Evaluating the Effectiveness of Acupuncture, Plum Blossom, and Auriculotherapy in Treating Pain and Hot Flashes in Breast cancer Patients: An Observational Retrospective Study 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 Abstract 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. [...]

Open Access Review Herb-Drug Interactions in Oncology: A Clinical Up-Date 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 Abstract 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 brief [...]

Open Access Research Article Preliminary Long-Term Results of Homeopathic Treatment of Atopic Diseases in Adult Patients by Elio Rossi  , Marco Picchi  , Marialessandra Panozzo  and Linda Nurra Received: 01 November 2018;  Published: 20 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902038 Abstract Aim: To study the effect of homeopathic treatment on adult patients with atopic diseases visited at the Homeopathic Clinic of Lucca (Italy) and long-term evolution of the disease over approximately an 8-year period. Materials and Methods: Data derive from an observational longitudinal study carried out on 563 atopic adult patients who were [...]

Open Access Research Article Lifestyles and Complementary Medicine: A Survey in the Region of Tuscany by Mariella Di Stefano  , Sonia Baccetti  , Elio Rossi  , Maria Valeria Monechi  , Barbara Cucca  , Sergio Segantini  , Elisabetta Barbara Cortesi  , Fabio Voller  , Eleonora Fanti  , Alice Berti  and Stefano Bravi Received: 27 September 2018;  Published: 28 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902029 Abstract Background: According to the international literature, users of Complementary Medicine (CM), Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) are physically more active, less overweight and have healthier lifestyles than the average Tuscan population. Aim: To evaluate the socio-demographic character [...]

Open Access Original Research Observational Study on Auriculotherapy in the Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Preliminary Data 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 Abstract 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, acupun [...]

Open Access Research Article Integrated Medicine Strongly Improves Post-Stroke Rehabilitative Performance in a Public Health Facility in Italy 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 Abstract 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 [...]

Open Access Communication The Process of Integration of Complementary Medicines in Public Healthcare Service of Tuscany (Italy) by Katia Belvedere  , Elio Rossi  , Mariella Di Stefano  and Sonia Baccetti Received: 22 February 2019;  Published: 10 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902022 Abstract Complementary Medicine (CM) is being increasingly used by European citizens in order to increase their overall state of health and well-being, as well as to treat various illnesses and diseases. The interest for these therapies has progressively risen also in Italy and in Tuscany as well. In response to the increasing demand in the past few [...]

Open Access Original Research Acupuncture for Chemo-Related Nausea and Vomiting 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 Abstract 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 [...]

Open Access Research Article Integrated Oncology in an Integrated Medicine Hospital in Pitigliano (Grosseto, Italy) by Rosaria Ferreri  , Simonetta Bernardini  , Franco Cracolici  and Francesca Bechini Received: 29 September 2018;  Published: 01 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901008 Abstract Background: Complementary medicines (CM), including homeopathy, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine, have been introduced for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in the Pitigliano Hospital Centre of Integrated Medicine in order to minimize the side effects of these treatments, which improves qualit [...]

Open Access Original Research Acupuncture in Palliative Care by Franco Cracolici  , Simonetta Bernardini  and Rosaria Ferreri Received: 14 October 2018;  Published: 30 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901006 Abstract Background: Acupuncture is an innovative and scientifically supported treatment for oncologic patients, as well as an effective palliative care option. At the Palliative Care Department of "Misericordia" Grosseto Hospital in Tuscany, real integration of acupuncture in palliative medicine has been possible. The objective of this work [...]