The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Mar 2013
DoD-NCCAM/NIH workshop on acupuncture for treatment of acute pain.
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cosponsored a workshop that explored the possible benefits of acupuncture treatment for acute pain. One goal of the workshop was to establish a roadmap to building an evidence base on that would indicate whether acupuncture is helpful for treating active-duty military personnel experiencing acute pain. The workshop highlighted brief presentations on the most current research on acupuncture and acute pain mechanisms. ⋯ Additional presentations focused on common neural mechanisms, an overview of real-world experience with using acupuncture to treat traumatic acute pain, and best tools and methods specific for acupuncture studies. Three breakout groups addressed the gaps, opportunities, and barriers to acupuncture use for acute pain in military and trauma settings. Different models of effectiveness research and optimal research designs for conducting trials in acute traumatic pain were also discussed.
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J Altern Complement Med · Feb 2013
Expert consensus on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with Chinese patent medicines.
Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) are widely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China and especially by Western biomedical doctors who are not well trained in TCM. Thus, it is important to create a guideline or an expert consensus so that the CPMs are used correctly. ⋯ This expert consensus regarding the treatment of RA with various CPMs was formed to aid WM doctors in the correct use of CPMs.
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J Altern Complement Med · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyDoes Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern affect acupoint specific effect? Analysis of data from a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial for primary dysmenorrhea.
This study assessed the importance of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pattern on an acupoint-specific effect. ⋯ It suggested that TCM pattern might affect acupoint specific effect on the immediate pain relief obtained for participants with PD.
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J Altern Complement Med · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialYoga Nidra relaxation increases heart rate variability and is unaffected by a prior bout of Hatha yoga.
The measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) is often applied as an index of autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance and, therefore, myocardial stability. Previous studies have suggested that relaxation or mind-body exercise can influence ANS balance positively as measured by HRV but may act via different mechanisms. No studies, to the authors' knowledge, have examined the acute response in HRV to interventions combining relaxation and mind-body exercise. The objective of this study was to compare the acute HRV responses to Yoga Nidra relaxation alone versus Yoga Nidra relaxation preceded by Hatha yoga. ⋯ These changes demonstrate a favorable shift in autonomic balance to the parasympathetic branch of the ANS for both conditions, and that Yoga Nidra relaxation produces favorable changes in measures of HRV whether alone or preceded by a bout of Hatha yoga.
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J Altern Complement Med · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of interactive neurostimulation therapy on myofascial trigger points associated with mechanical neck pain: a preliminary randomized, sham-controlled trial.
This trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of interactive neurostimulation (INS) therapy on the treatment of pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTPs) in adults with mechanical neck pain. ⋯ INS is a new and emerging therapy, which may be efficacious for managing musculoskeletal conditions, such as myofascial pain syndrome. This study demonstrated improvements in function in individuals with MTPs following INS therapy, which may be of clinical significance in certain patients with neck or shoulder pain. Further large-scale clinical trials are required to confirm this effect and to determine if INS also reduces pain and neck disability.