The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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To (1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of Swedish massage among Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care users with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and (2) collect preliminary data on efficacy of Swedish massage in this patient group. ⋯ Results of this pilot study support the feasibility and acceptability of Swedish massage among VA health care users as well as preliminary data suggesting its efficacy for reducing pain due to knee OA. If results are confirmed in a larger randomized trial, massage could be an important component of regular care for these patients.
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J Altern Complement Med · May 2015
Ren Shen Yangrong Tang for Fatigue in Cancer Survivors: A Phase I/II Open-Label Study.
This open-label, prospective, phase I/II trial was performed to establish the safety and efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal products for treating non-anemia-related fatigue in patients with cancer. Although this practice is widespread in China, it has not been confirmed in a prospective clinical study. ⋯ RSYRT therapy was safe and was associated with fatigue improvement in nonanemic cancer survivors, consistent with historical TCM clinical practice experience. Because of a possible placebo effect in this open-label study, decoction RSYRT warrants further study in randomized clinical trials to confirm its effectiveness for managing moderate to severe fatigue.
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J Altern Complement Med · May 2015
Clinical TrialEffects of acupuncture on pain and inflammation in pediatric emergency department patients with acute appendicitis: a pilot study.
Acupuncture has been shown to treat various medical conditions, including acute and chronic pain, and there is limited evidence that acupuncture produces anti-inflammatory effects. This pilot study evaluated the use of acupuncture to treat pain and determine if acupuncture can reduce the inflammatory response in pediatric patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis. ⋯ Pilot data suggest that acupuncture may be a feasible and effective treatment modality for decreasing subjective pain and inflammation as measured by WBC. Acupuncture may be a useful nonpharmacological PED intervention for treating patients with acute appendicitis pain.
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J Altern Complement Med · Apr 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyExperimental integrative muscular movement technique enhances cervical range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain: a pilot study.
Neck pain presents a tremendous physical and financial burden. This study compared the efficacy of the complementary and alternative medical treatments of integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) and Swedish massage on neck pain in women of occupation age, the largest demographic group with neck pain. ⋯ Patients receiving the IMMT demonstrated significantly improved cervical ROM in every movement measured compared with Swedish massage. Inclusion of the IMMT in a treatment regimen for chronic neck pain may lead to decreased pain and increased cervical ROM. These positive effects of the IMMT intervention may have a role in enhancing functional outcomes in patients with neck pain.
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J Altern Complement Med · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialCombined intervention with education and progressive muscle relaxation on quality of life, functional disability, and positive symptoms in patients with acute schizophrenia.
To explore the effects of combined intervention with education and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on quality of life (QoL), functional disability, and positive symptoms of patients with acute schizophrenia. ⋯ A combined intervention with education and PMR is effective in improving QoL, functional disability, and positive symptoms in patients with acute schizophrenia. The combined intervention model could be a new paradigm of adjunctive treatment for acute schizophrenia.