The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
-
J Altern Complement Med · Jun 2004
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialEffect of acupuncture administered in a group setting on pain and subjective peripheral neuropathy in persons with human immunodeficiency virus disease.
The present study was performed to determine the effect of 5 weeks of acupuncture treatment in a group setting on pain and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infected individuals. ⋯ The results of this study indicate that subjective pain and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were reduced during the period of individual acupuncture therapy delivered in a group setting. While the study design did not allow for control of nonspecific placebo factors, the data support the hypothesis that acupuncture in a group setting can reduce pain and neuropathic symptoms in HIV-infected individuals.
-
Introducing holism and complementary medicine into mainstream medical education provides many scientific, philosophical, and personal challenges. The growth of new knowledge always necessitates venturing into areas, which are, by definition, unknown, hence arise potential clashes of ideology, knowledge, evidence, interpretation, language, and personality. This paper outlines some of the experience and progress made at Monash University Victoria, Australia, in teaching this material in undergraduate medical education. ⋯ This presents challenges that are as much personal as they are intellectual. Areas of particular importance are the academic environment, language, diplomacy, style, relevance, and evidence. In this process, building relationships, collegiality, patience, objectivity, impartiality, and humor are helpful.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Jan 2004
ReviewThe role of optimal healing environments in patients undergoing cancer treatment: clinical research protocol guidelines.
Integrative cancer care (ICC) is the treatment of patients with cancer, under physician supervision, with appropriate conventional treatments in a healing context based on insights from research on nutrition, biochemistry, exercise, and psycho-oncology. It uses validated techniques and practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and strategies for enhancing treatment and side-effect management such as chronomodulated chemotherapy, therapies to reduce treatment resistance, and innovative assessments for individualizing treatment plans. ⋯ Expectations of well-being are fostered; transformative self-care practices are common therapeutic tools; development of healing presence among staff and therapeutic alliances with patients are emphasized; instruction in health-promoting behavior is standard; and collaborative integration of CAM in the practice is typical. Based on the authors' clinical experience, an OHE for patients with cancer is described and suggestions for meaningful research are identified.