Complementary therapies in clinical practice
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · Nov 2013
Integrating complementary and alternative medicine into medical intern teaching: preliminary findings from an Australian Hospital.
Globally, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a component of healthcare is well documented [1]. In Australia, despite escalating use of CAM [2], inclusion within medical curriculum is poorly developed. ⋯ Post-session, participants also reported an acquisition of knowledge in relation to common interactions between CAM and conventional medical treatments and indicated a positive impact on subsequent clinical practice, specifically noting increased awareness of CAM enquiry in clinical practice. Results of this pilot study indicate that CAM and junior doctor education may have a positive impact on improving patient safety and management.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · Aug 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of music on physiological and behavioral responses of premature infants: a randomized controlled trial.
Despite persuasive theories about the beneficial effects of music and singing in developmental care for premature infants, few small studies are available in this regard. We conducted this study to investigate the physiological and behavioral responses of premature infants to recorded lullaby music and silence. ⋯ Our findings did not support the beneficial effects of music for premature infants. However, music is a noninvasive, non-pharmaceutical, and relatively low-cost intervention that can be implemented at infants' bedside. Thus further research is warranted to determine whether the effects noted in previous studies can be consistently replicated in diverse settings and with diverse groups of preterm infants.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · Aug 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyIs reflexology as effective as aromatherapy massage for symptom relief in an adult outpatient oncology population?
To test whether reflexology was inferior to aromatherapy massage for ameliorating self-selected problems or concerns. ⋯ 115 subjects (58 aromatherapy massage, 57 reflexology) recruited. Reflexology was found to be no less effective than aromatherapy massage for MYCaW first concerns (p = 0.046). There was no statistical difference between groups for MYCaW second concerns or overall well-being scores, proportions of patients gaining clinical benefit, VAS scores over time (p = 0.489) or between groups (p = 0.408) or in the written responses.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · May 2013
Clinical TrialExploratory study on the efficacy of reflexology for pain threshold and tolerance using an ice-pain experiment and sham TENS control.
To explore the efficacy of reflexology on acute pain induced in healthy human subjects using a sham TENS control. ⋯ These findings demonstrate that reflexology produces antinociceptive effects in a controlled experiment and suggest the possibility that reflexology may be useful on its own or as an adjunct to medication in the treatment of pain conditions in man.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · Feb 2013
Reiki training for caregivers of hospitalized pediatric patients: a pilot program.
To explore the feasibility of a Reiki therapy-training program for the caregivers of pediatric medical or oncology inpatients, at a large pediatric hospital, a series of Reiki training classes were offered by a Reiki Master. At completion of the training, an interview was conducted to elicit participant's feedback regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of the training program. Seventeen of the 18 families agreed to participate. ⋯ All caregivers identified becoming an active participant in their child's care as a major gain from participation in the Reiki training. A hospital-based Reiki training program for caregivers of hospitalized pediatric patients is feasible and can positively impact patients and their families. More rigorous research regarding the benefits of Reiki in the pediatric population is needed.