The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Aug 2010
Comparative StudyEffects of brief and sham mindfulness meditation on mood and cardiovascular variables.
Although long-term meditation has been found to reduce negative mood and cardiovascular variables, the effects of a brief mindfulness meditation intervention when compared to a sham mindfulness meditation intervention are relatively unknown. This experiment examined whether a 3-day (1-hour total) mindfulness or sham mindfulness meditation intervention would improve mood and cardiovascular variables when compared to a control group. ⋯ These results indicate that brief meditation training has beneficial effects on mood and cardiovascular variables that go beyond the demand characteristics of a sham meditation intervention.
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J Altern Complement Med · Aug 2010
Outcome evaluation of the Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Integrative Health Clinic for chronic pain and stress-related depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The purpose of this longitudinal outcome research study was to determine the effectiveness of the Integrative Health Clinic and Program (IHCP) and to perform a subgroup analysis investigating patient benefit. The IHCP is an innovative clinical service within the Veterans Affairs Health Care System designed for nonpharmacologic biopsychosocial management of chronic nonmalignant pain and stress-related depression, anxiety, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) utilizing complementary and alternative medicine and mind-body skills. ⋯ The results suggest IHCP is an effective program, improving chronic pain and stress-related depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life. Of particular interest was a significant improvement in anxiety in the PTSD group. The IHCP model offers innovative treatment options that are low risk, low cost, and acceptable to patients and providers.
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J Altern Complement Med · Jul 2010
Resident-initiated integrative medicine curriculum in an allopathic family medicine residency.
Although integrative medicine modalities are widespread and increasingly popular among patients and physicians, exposure to integrative medicine teaching remains limited during allopathic residency training. There is a need for innovative ways to incorporate integrative medicine teaching into family medicine residency training. ⋯ For residents with interest in integrative medicine, weekly resident-run teaching sessions support their personal and professional growth and may improve their overall spirit during residency. In residency programs with limited teaching in integrative medicine, residents can successfully take initiative and create their own curriculum with support from community providers and interested faculty.
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J Altern Complement Med · May 2010
Developing a complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine course: one medical school's experience.
There is significant overlap with many concepts emphasized in integrative medicine and current educational priorities within medical school education such as cultural sensitivity, doctor-patient relationship, and physician self-care. Although the concept of Integrative Medicine is just beginning to gain recognition in academic medical institutions, the recognition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine's (CAM) growing popularity has led to increased incorporation of CAM content into U.S. medical school education. ⋯ The present article describes the evolution of a complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine course within the New Jersey Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry over the last 3 years, and critically evaluates its successes and challenges.
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J Altern Complement Med · Mar 2010
ReviewAlternative medical interventions used in the treatment and management of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
There have been several systematic reviews attempting to evaluate the efficacy of possible treatments for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM). However, information regarding the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has not been comprehensively or systematically covered in these reviews, despite its frequent use in the patient community. ⋯ Several types of alternative medicine have some potential for future clinical research. However, due to methodological inconsistencies across studies and the small body of evidence, no firm conclusions can be made at this time. Regarding alternative treatments, acupuncture and several types of meditative practice show the most promise for future scientific investigation. Likewise, magnesium, l-carnitine, and S-adenosylmethionine are nonpharmacological supplements with the most potential for further research. Individualized treatment plans that involve several pharmacological agents and natural remedies appear promising as well.