Alternative therapies in health and medicine
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Altern Ther Health Med · Nov 2012
Racial disparities in the use of chiropractic care under Medicare.
Medicare covers chiropractic care, but the health-care community knows little about the demographic characteristics of older adults who use chiropractic services under the Medicare program. Researchers do not know the demographic composition of chiropractic users under Medicare, how the demographics of chiropractic use and rates of use have changed over time, and how users' characteristics vary geographically across the United States. An understanding of the demographics of chiropractic users can help chiropractic organizations, policy makers, and other stakeholders plan for an equitable allocation of resources to meet the chiropractic health-care needs of all of Medicare's beneficiaries. ⋯ The research team's results showed little longitudinal variation in the demographics of chiropractic use under Medicare but a striking difference in rates of use between whites and minorities, and substantial geographic variations in user rates among racial minorities. The research team's findings suggest the possibility that barriers may exist for minorities' access to chiropractic care. As minority populations in the United States continue to grow, the health-care community can expect that any impact on population health that these barriers cause will grow as well.
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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.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Jul 2012
A large cross-sectional, descriptive study of self-reports after biofield therapy in Japan: demography, symptomology, and circumstances of treatment administration.
Practitioners apply biofield therapy in diverse situations; however, most previously published reports investigated its efficacy in a clinical setting with a few expert practitioners administering it. ⋯ After a single session of biofield therapy, the participants' responses varied according to their gender, the duration and location of the intervention, and the reasons for participation.