Alternative therapies in health and medicine
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Altern Ther Health Med · Sep 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized, blinded study of the impact of intercessory prayer on spiritual well-being in patients with cancer.
Cochrane reviews have analyzed multiple studies on intercessory prayer that treatment teams had added to health interventions; however, the reviewers could draw no conclusions about the efficacy of prayer because the studies showed either positive or no effects and used different endpoints and methodologies. ⋯ Participants with cancer whom the research team randomly allocated to the experimental group to receive remote intercessory prayer showed small but significant improvements in spiritual well-being.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Sep 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effects of yoga on psychosocial variables and exercise adherence: a randomized, controlled pilot study.
Physical inactivity is a serious issue for the American public. Because of conditions that result from inactivity, individuals incur close to $1 trillion USD in health-care costs, and approximately 250 000 premature deaths occur per year. Researchers have linked engaging in yoga to improved overall fitness, including improved muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and balance. Researchers have not yet investigated the impact of yoga on exercise adherence. ⋯ Ten weeks of yoga classes twice a week significantly increased previously inactive participants' adherence to physical activity. Additionally, the findings suggest that a mind-body exercise program may be an effective intervention in the fight against physical inactivity.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Sep 2012
A pilot study to assess students' perceptions, familiarity, and knowledge in the use of complementary and alternative herbal supplements in health promotion.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), use of herbal supplements is increasing and will continue to rise. With parents administering medicinal herbs to children as a preventive alternative to traditional drugs, the research team thought it would be interesting to assess the use of these products during the transition into adulthood through college life. ⋯ College students appear to be highly familiar with CAM and herbal supplements but currently have little experience with and knowledge of herbal supplements.