Alternative therapies in health and medicine
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Altern Ther Health Med · Mar 2018
Analgesic Effects of Diluted Bee Venom Acupuncture Mediated by δ-Opioid and α2-Adrenergic Receptors in Osteoarthritic Rats.
Context • Pain from osteoarthritis is associated with peripheral nociception and central pain processing. Given the unmet need for innovative, effective, and well-tolerated therapies, many patients, after looking for more satisfactory alternatives, decide to use complementary and alternative modalities. The analgesic mechanism of subcutaneous injections of diluted bee venom into an acupoint is thought to be part of an anti-inflammatory effect and the central modulation of pain processing. ⋯ The analgesic effects of the BVA were not decreased by the antagonist pretreatments for the μ- or κ-opioid receptors or for the α1- or β-adrenergic receptors. The ST-36-BVA-induced analgesia was inhibited by the antagonist pretreatments for the δ-opioid receptor and the α2-adrenergic receptor. Conclusion • The ST-36 BVA treatment exerted an analgesic effect on CIOA-induced pain through the partial involvement of the δ-opioid and α2-adrenergic receptors.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Mar 2018
Potential Facilitators and Barriers to Awareness of N-of-1 Trials for Physicians in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Context • N-of-1 trials are multiple crossover trials with randomized and blinded methods, conducted with a single participant to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a therapy. They can be a helpful tool for enriching clinical research for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but the approach has gained little traction in TCM. Information is needed before supporters of the trials can pursue a change to that status. ⋯ Conclusions • The results highlight the possible interest of TCM clinicians in the methods of N-of-1 trials; meanwhile, the study's data stress the need for appropriate medical education and recommendations based on available evidence. Further efforts in the area should emphasize the benefits for patients and funders. The training is necessary in TCM clinical practice to improve the evidence quality of studies on TCM.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Jan 2017
A Model for Integrative Transformation: A Back Pain Group Appointment Program.
A back pain treatment program was developed for the outpatient, primary care clinic setting. In this pilot study, measured functional status scores improved in a cohort of patients enrolled in the program. ⋯ These modalities include exercise, social interaction, motivation/raison d'être, holistic coaching, music, and behavioral modelling. The program provides a forum for the discussion and implementation of complementary and alternative approaches, alongside mainstream approaches, and represents a model of integrative medical practice.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Sep 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialLaser Therapy and Occlusal Stabilization Splint for Temporomandibular Disorders in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized, Clinical Trial.
Context • Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) report frequent and severe symptoms from temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The appropriate treatment of TMDs remains controversial. No studies have occurred on the efficacy of therapy with a laser or an occlusal stabilization splint in the treatment of TMDs in patients with FMS. ⋯ Compared with baseline, the laser treatment showed significant improvements on several outcomes, including the VAS, P < .001; WPI, P = .003; and SSS, P = .001. Overall, the study found an average improvement in symptoms from baseline of 21% , P < .001, based on the PGIC. Conclusions • Laser therapy or an occlusal stabilization splint can be an alternative therapeutic treatment for reducing pain symptoms and the clicking sound for TMDs in patients with FMS.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Jul 2016
Observational StudySmartphone-based Music Listening to Reduce Pain and Anxiety Before Coronarography: A Focus on Sex Differences.
Background • Music Care is a smartphone-based application providing a musical intervention for the management of pain and anxiety in a clinical setting. Coronarography is a medical procedure frequently associated with examination anxiety. Objectives • The study intended to perform an initial evaluation of the application for use with patients undergoing a coronarography. ⋯ Conclusions • The smartphone-based Music Care application is an easy-to-use tool to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing coronarography. Future large-scale, controlled trials are necessary to compare its effectiveness with other interventions. Both women and men can benefit from the use of the application.