The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Dec 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialAcupuncture and bronchial asthma: a long-term randomized study of the effects of real versus sham acupuncture compared to controls in patients with bronchial asthma.
Acupuncture has traditionally been used in China in the treatment of bronchial asthma and is being increasingly applied in Western countries. Although there are many published studies on acupuncture and asthma, few meet the scientific criteria necessary to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture. ⋯ In view of the fact that the effects after real and sham acupuncture compared to controls who had no needling at all were small, in all likelihood clinically irrelevant, our data do not seem to support the use of acupuncture in the management of pharmacologically well-treated patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma.
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J Altern Complement Med · Dec 2002
ReviewBlending the boundaries: steps toward an integration of complementary and alternative medicine into mainstream practice.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is growing in popularity among patients traditionally seen in an allopathic setting. A literature review and information search was conducted to determine the trend in demand for and the availability of CAM in the United States. The results of major surveys show that there is an increase in the use of CAM in the United States. ⋯ In order to integrate CAM into the mainstream, there must be a coordinated effort among all the entities involved. Physicians need to be familiar with proven CAM therapies in order to advise patients about these modalities and the potential benefits and limitations. CAM practitioners should be licensed and regulated in scope of practice to provide a high standard of care, and be sufficiently educated in conventional medical science(s) in order to recognize how, where, and why their respective complementary practice is most effective for integration.
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J Altern Complement Med · Oct 2002
Effects of extracts of Coriolus versicolor (I'm-Yunity) on cell-cycle progression and expression of interleukins-1 beta,-6, and -8 in promyelocytic HL-60 leukemic cells and mitogenically stimulated and nonstimulated human lymphocytes.
The goal of this in vitro study was to test the cytostatic and cytotoxic activities of extracts derived from the polysaccharopeptide (PSP), I'm-Yunity (Integrated Chinese Medicine Holdings Ltd., Kowloon, Hong Kong) prepared from strain Cov-1 of the mushroom Coriolus versicolor. ⋯ I'm-Yunity acts selectively in HL-60 leukemic cells, resulting in cell cycle restriction through the G(1)/S checkpoint and the induction of apoptosis.
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J Altern Complement Med · Jun 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of an acupressure device (relief brief) for managing symptoms of dysmenorrhea.
To develop and test the safety and effectiveness of an acupressure garment (the Relief Brief) in decreasing the pain and symptom distress associated with dysmenorrhea. ⋯ An acupressure device is an effective and safe nonpharmacologic strategy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. With design modifications, it could serve as a main treatment modality for women who suffer from primary dysmenorrhea and do not wish to or cannot use the conventional pharmacologic agents. In addition, this acupressure device may serve as an adjuvant therapy to medication in more severe cases of dysmenorrhea.