Complementary therapies in clinical practice
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · May 2006
A retrospective cohort study exploring the relationship between antenatal reflexology and intranatal outcomes.
The integration of reflexology into midwifery care has become more common in recent years as a result of a developing interest in alternative and complementary therapies and also due to the integration of new skills into midwifery practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of antenatal reflexology with different outcomes in the intranatal period. The key variables of interest were onset of labour, duration of labour, analgesia used and mode of delivery. ⋯ Fewer women in the reflexology group had a normal labour with a higher percentage of women having a forceps delivery. In conclusion the only statistically significant difference between groups was less use of Entonox in the reflexology group. Further research requires standardized treatment and outcome measurement using prospective randomized designs with large samples.
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The therapeutic relationship is a concept often ignored in current literature. As such, the importance of good patient rapport may be overlooked. To address these concerns, the following paper highlights the effects that strong therapeutic relationships may have on patient satisfaction, treatment compliance and client outcomes. Strategies that practitioners can employ to facilitate the development of good patient rapport are also discussed.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · Aug 2005
Case ReportsTwo case reports of the acute effects of Qi therapy (external Qigong) on symptoms of cancer: short report.
This paper reports upon two case studies addressing the short-term effects of Qi therapy on symptoms of cancer in two terminally ill oncology patients. Changes in anxiety state, pain, discomfort, depression, mood, alertness, and fatigue in two cancer patients were assessed. ⋯ Furthermore, the scores recorded on the last day for most symptoms were improved than those recorded on the first day. Although the results of these two case studies do not constitute conclusive evidence, the data suggest that Qi therapy may have some beneficial effects on some symptoms of cancer.
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This paper reflects on the practice and research of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Canada. Although certain trends in use, as well as the regulation and integration of CAM, are mirrored in many other developed countries, some are highlighted as uniquely Canadian with distinct political and economic geographies. Similarly, although like in other countries the research of CAM is growing rapidly, Canadian scholars have been particularly productive in terms of providing unique disciplinary perspectives and the ways in which they have organized their research training and collaborations. CAM is clearly not a fully integrated and researched option in Canadian health care, yet Canada exhibits the foundations for an integrated CAM practice, supported by a growing, wide-ranging and well-articulated research evidence-base.