Alternative therapies in health and medicine
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Altern Ther Health Med · Nov 2013
Tai chi for well-being of breast cancer survivors with aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgias: a feasibility study.
Arthralgia is common and debilitating for a significant proportion of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and leads to poor adherence to aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Despite increased recognition of the negative impact of arthralgia on function and the poor adherence that results, very few interventions have been developed to target this side effect. ⋯ The research team demonstrated the feasibility of a tai chi intervention for improving wellbeing for breast cancer patients with AIAA and identified measures that may be sensitive to the impact of a tai chi intervention in this population.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Sep 2013
Clinical TrialTreating generalized anxiety disorder using complementary and alternative medicine.
The high comorbidity rate of generalized anxiety disorders (GADs) with other diagnoses-such as panic disorder, depression, alcohol abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and obsessive compulsive disorder- make it one of the most common diagnoses found in primary care, with women predominantly affected. It is estimated that 5.4%-7.6% of primary care visits are associated with GAD and in addition to impairments in mental health there is additional impairment in pain, function, and activities of daily life, accelerating the need to reconsider the medical management of this disorder and move from the traditional medical model to a more holistic approach, focusing on self-care. ⋯ The findings in this pilot study suggest multimodal interventions focusing on self-care behaviors may be feasible for patients seeking therapies that are adjunct or alternative to conventional treatments. The study also suggested that this type of patient will participate in multitherapy options, and it offers support for expanding the conceptualization of and treatment for GAD by integrating CAM into existing cognitive-behavioral models.
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Altern Ther Health Med · May 2013
Use of and attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine: understanding the role of generational influence.
The prevalence of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing in developed countries, including the United States. Some patients use CAM without informing their physicians, subjecting themselves to potentially dangerous contraindications. Identifying patient populations that have an inclination to use CAM can help physicians provide patient-centered care, ensuring better health outcomes. ⋯ Attitudes toward CAM vary significantly by generational influence. Recent immigrants gradually assimilate and change their cultural beliefs about CAM use, and they had the highest use of and the most positive attitude toward CAM. Physicians may want to consider integrating CAM treatments for patients who have recently immigrated to the United States to enhance treatment compliance.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Mar 2013
Biography Historical ArticleBernard Bihari, MD: low-dose naltrexone for normalizing immune system function.