The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Oct 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based therapy for dyspnea in chronic obstructive lung disease.
Patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) suffer from significant dyspnea and may benefit from complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies aimed at mitigating symptoms. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of a mindfulness-based breathing therapy (MBBT) on improving symptoms and health-related quality of life in those with COPD. ⋯ This trial found no measurable improvements in patients with COPD receiving a mindfulness-based breathing CAM therapy compared to a support group, suggesting that this intervention is unlikely to be an important therapeutic option for those with moderate-to-severe COPD.
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J Altern Complement Med · Oct 2009
CAM, free speech, and the British legal system: overstepping the mark?
The British Chiropractic Association recently won a libel case against the science writer and CAM 'skeptic' Dr Simon Singh for publishing an article in a British newspaper in which he accused them of promoting 'bogus' treatments. This has ignited a campaign in the UK to 'keep the libel laws out of science'. In this article, the tension between media freedom of expression and defamation law is examined, and possible ramifications for CAM in the UK explored.
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J Altern Complement Med · Sep 2009
Emerging complementary and alternative medicine policy initiatives and the need for dialogue.
This article explores the regulation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and uses Swedish policy to bring to light paradoxes between CAM policies and CAM practice. It asserts that increases in CAM use challenge national health policies across the globe to simultaneously prioritize patient safety and treatment efficacy yet offer choices that promote patient ownership of health. In response to these challenges, many countries have established or are in the process of establishing a national CAM policy. ⋯ It is of the utmost importance that the rarely discussed paradoxes between CAM policy and CAM practice are addressed in health sector reforms globally.
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J Altern Complement Med · Aug 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluation of manual acupuncture at classical and nondefined points for treatment of functional dyspepsia: a randomized-controlled trial.
Acupuncture has been used traditionally as a treatment for functional dyspepsia (FD). The goal of this trial was to examine the efficacy of acupuncture at classical points and nondefined points as a treatment for functional dyspepsia. ⋯ Our data show that both acupunctures at classical points and nondefined points improved the symptoms of patients with FD. However, we cannot rule out the possibilities of placebo effect in this trial.
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J Altern Complement Med · Jul 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of slow- and fast-breathing exercises on autonomic functions in patients with essential hypertension.
Breathing exercises practiced in various forms of meditations such as yoga may influence autonomic functions. This may be the basis of therapeutic benefit to hypertensive patients. ⋯ Both types of breathing exercises benefit patients with hypertension. However, improvement in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic reactivity may be the mechanism that is associated in those practicing the slow-breathing exercise.