Explore : the journal of science and healing
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To understand the following about patients using an acupuncture teaching clinic: (1) sociodemographic characteristics and main complaints and (2) self-reported level of patient-centered outcomes regarding pain management. ⋯ The information about sociodemographic characteristic and patient-centered outcomes of pain management can be used for service provision, future study planning, and marketing. Future studies should address the low follow-up rate, the quality of self-reported clinic data, and the reasons that patients chose acupuncture treatments and teaching clinics.
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Clinical Trial
Bibliotherapy to decrease stress and anxiety and increase resilience and mindfulness: a pilot trial.
Interventions to decrease stress and enhance resiliency and mindfulness are more likely to be widely implemented if they can be offered without the need for in-person training. The purpose of this study was to assess effectiveness of a self-directed Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program delivered using only written material for improving stress, resiliency, and mindfulness. ⋯ This study demonstrated that a brief, self-directed program to decrease stress and enhance resilience and mindfulness provided excellent short-term effectiveness for enhancing resilience, mindfulness and quality of life, and decreasing stress and anxiety.
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This case report describes the effectiveness of a single intervention, acupuncture, for relieving or abolishing severe migraines, menopausal vasomotor symptoms, and chronic insomnia and, thus, markedly improving quality of life. A 49-year-old woman was referred for acupuncture treatment of her daily migraines, menopausal vasomotor symptoms, and chronic insomnia. The patient had received polypharmacy treatment for these conditions for several years but had rather limited relief of her symptoms. ⋯ This case illustrates successful treatment of the symptoms of three medical conditions with a single complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine procedure, namely, acupuncture, one of the key elements of traditional Chinese medicine. The patient's medical problems had been treated for years with a multitude of medications, which led to adverse effects and little symptomatic improvement. Providers of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine and providers practicing allopathic medicine should seek treatment options for their patients that promise to be helpful for various symptoms or diseases, that is, treating the root cause rather than using polypharmacy for various symptoms.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A small mixed-method RCT of mindfulness instruction for urban youth.
We aimed to explore the specific effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for urban youth by comparing it with an active control program, designed to control for time, positive peer-group experience, and positive adult instructor. ⋯ Compared with an active control program, MBSR did not result in statistically significant differences in self-reported survey outcomes of interest but was associated with qualitative outcomes of increased calm, conflict avoidance, self-awareness, and self-regulation for urban youths. Importantly, based on qualitative results, the HT program functioned as an effective active control for MBSR in this sample, facilitating a more rigorous methodological approach to MBSR research in this population. We believe the promising effects elucidated in the qualitative data have the potential for positive affective and behavioral outcomes.