Complementary Medicine Research最新文献

{"title":"Homoeopathic Management of a Lower Leg Ulcer with Cellulitis: An Evidence-Based Case Report.","authors":"Archana Archana, Himani Garg, Roja Varanasi","doi":"10.1159/000551408","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000551408","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection involving the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, characterized by erythema, warmth, swelling, and pain. It commonly follows disruption of skin integrity and may progress to ulceration. Leg ulcers are chronic or acute breaches in skin continuity of the lower limb, frequently associated with infection, inflammation, delayed healing, and significant morbidity. When cellulitis complicates a leg ulcer, the risk of tissue damage and prolonged recovery increases. Although antibiotics constitute standard management, integrative approaches are increasingly explored to support wound healing and reduce complications.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A female patient presented with a painful ulcer on the left lower leg that had evolved from a pimple-like lesion. Clinical examination revealed diffuse erythema, oedema, warmth, tenderness, and ulceration consistent with cellulitis. No systemic complications were noted at presentation. An individualized homoeopathic treatment strategy was adopted based on clinical assessment. Pyrogenium, Calendula officinalis, and Myristica sebifera were prescribed sequentially according to symptom evolution. Supportive management included antiseptic wound cleansing, maintenance of dryness, and topical application of C. officinalis ointment. Serial photographic documentation was performed to monitor progression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Progressive reduction in pain, inflammation, and ulcer dimensions was observed during follow-up, with satisfactory wound healing and no reported adverse events. Causality assessment using the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homoeopathy (MONARCH) yielded a positive attribution score, suggesting a possible relationship between the intervention and clinical improvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case highlights favourable clinical evolution of lower leg ulcer with cellulitis managed with individualized homoeopathy alongside wound care, warranting further controlled investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"256-264"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147389803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urinary Metabolomics Study on Acupuncture plus Wet Cupping Therapy for Post-Stroke Depression: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Dong Li, Hang Gao, Jin Li, Larissa Tao, Weidong Shen, Wa Cai","doi":"10.1159/000550810","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000550810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study aimed to investigate urinary metabolomics alterations associated with acupuncture plus wet cupping (AC) therapy in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 40 subjects were randomly allocated to either the acupuncture plus wet cupping group (AC group, n = 20) or the acupuncture group (Acu group, n = 20). Morning urine samples were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment, yielding a total of 80 samples. An additional 20 healthy volunteers served as a blank control group, from whom urine samples were also obtained. Urinary metabolites were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Differential metabolites and related metabolic pathways were identified. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 items (HAMD-24) at baseline and post-treatment. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between metabolic changes and clinical improvement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After 4 weeks of treatment, the HAMD-24 scores in the AC group (median: 10.00, IQR: 9.00-13.00) were significantly lower than those in the Acu group (median: 18.00, IQR: 15.25-19.00), with a statistically significant between-group difference (p < 0.01). Metabolomic profiling revealed significant differences between healthy volunteers and untreated PSD patients, with 21 differential metabolites identified. Caffeine metabolism emerged as the most significantly altered pathway (FDR-P <0.05). No significant metabolic changes were detected in the Acu group after treatment. In contrast, the AC group demonstrated marked alterations, with 33 differential metabolites identified and starch and sucrose metabolism emerging as the most affected pathway (FDR-P <0.05). Furthermore, direct comparisons between the AC and Acu groups post-treatment identified 13 differential metabolites, with tyrosine metabolism as the most significantly impacted pathway (FDR-P <0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the differential metabolites in the AC group were significantly correlated with HAMD-24 score changes (p <0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Caffeine metabolism was associated with the metabolic distinction between healthy volunteers and PSD patients. AC therapy was associated with clinical improvement in PSD and alterations in starch and sucrose metabolism as well as tyrosine metabolism. Tyrosine metabolism may be the key metabolic pathway distinguishing AC therapy from acupuncture alone. These findings suggested that AC therapy may exert its effects through associations with alterations in energy metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis, which was linked to the core pathophysiological mechanisms of PSD, though causal relationships require further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"115-138"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146178212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Exercise Therapy on Non-Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Xiaodie Yang, Hong Yang, Jianting Lao, Qiang Zhang, Zhehao Li, Liping Bai, Chan Zhu","doi":"10.1159/000551231","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000551231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><p>Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting up to 13% of women of reproductive age, with associated reproductive, metabolic, and psychological complications. While lifestyle interventions, particularly exercise therapy, are crucial in managing PCOS in obese individuals, their impact on nonobese patients remains inadequately explored. This study aims to assess the effects of exercise therapy on menstrual regularity, hormonal profiles, and metabolic parameters in nonobese women with PCOS. Methods: This protocol outlines a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT). Forty-eight nonobese women with PCOS (body mass index ≤25) meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomized into three groups: aerobic exercise with usual care (US), resistance exercise with UC, and UC alone. The interventions spanned 12 weeks, with assessments at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Primary outcomes include menstrual regularity and anthropometric indices, while secondary outcomes encompass hormonal levels, insulin resistance, and ovarian morphology. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.0, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Discussion: The study aims to provide robust evidence supporting the efficacy of exercise therapy in nonobese women with PCOS and to determine the most effective exercise modality for this population. The findings emphasize the importance of individualized exercise interventions and provide a foundation for larger scale RCTs to further substantiate these results. </p>.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"225-235"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160501/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147389817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Herbal and Traditional Medicine-Derived Interventions for Sarcopenia and Exploration of Core Herbs.","authors":"Wen-Shin Chiang, Wan-Yi Lin, Zi-Yu Chang, Yuan-Chieh Yeh, Jian-An Liao","doi":"10.1159/000552418","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000552418","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sarcopenia is a medical condition predominantly associated with the aging process. Currently, the most effective approach for sarcopenia involves a combination of physical activity and nutritional supplementation. However, older individuals may face challenges engaging in physical activity due to inconvenience or limited access to consistent nutritional resources. Previous studies suggest that herbal and traditional medicine-derived interventions can enhance muscle strength in sarcopenia patients; however, its effectiveness remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of herbal and traditional medicine-derived interventions in treating sarcopenia through a systematic review and meta-analysis and to identify key herbal medicines through pharmacological analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive database search was conducted, yielding 11 randomized controlled trials with 781 participants. Studies were selected based on stringent criteria and assessed for methodological quality using the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) network and data mining analysis to identify the core TCM from the enrolled trials and to investigate the potential pharmacological pathways through which they may exert their effects.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis suggested that herbal and traditional medicine-derived interventions, particularly Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi (BZYQ) decoction, may improve handgrip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index in patients with sarcopenia, with few reported adverse effects. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that key components, such as Astragalus membranaceus, may act through multiple signaling pathways. Core genes identified, including AKT1, TNF, IL6, and FOS, showed high centrality in the interaction network, suggesting their potential relevance as therapeutic targets.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Herbal and traditional medicine-derived interventions may have potential benefits in improving muscle strength and muscle mass in patients with sarcopenia. However, the certainty of the evidence is very low, and the findings should be interpreted with considerable caution.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"334-348"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147834506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Two Pathogen-Based Etiological Theories of Infectious Diseases in Ancient Chinese Medicine: A Historical Review.","authors":"Bisheng Peng, Min Lu","doi":"10.1159/000552683","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000552683","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the etiology of traditional Chinese medicine, the Qi-based theory of infectious diseases, which is primarily rooted in climatic explanations, has long been widely recognized by both academic circles and the general public. As research on medical traditions such as folk medicine and religious medicine in ancient China continues to deepen, the worm-centered theory of infectious diseases that focuses on biological pathogens has gained increasing scholarly attention.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The doctrines of Gu (demonic poison) and Jiuchong (nine worms) are representative of this theoretical framework. These doctrines attribute the onset and transmission of numerous infectious diseases to the invasion and migration of real or hypothetical pathogenic Chong (worms). Correspondingly, a variety of intervention methods were developed to treat patients and curb disease spread, encompassing medicinal therapy, physical isolation, personal cultivation practices, and even religious rituals.</p><p><strong>Key messages: </strong>Systematic research on these worm-centered infectious disease theories is of great significance. It helps to comprehensively reconstruct the cognitive system and response strategies for infectious diseases in ancient China.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"303-311"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148053209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Which Patients with Anxiety Symptoms Benefit Most from Treatment with <italic>Bryophyllum pinnatum</italic>? A Secondary Analysis of a Prospective, Single-Arm Study.","authors":"Tiffany Huber, Daniel Krüerke, Matthias Kröz, Markus Schlemmer, Ana Paula Simões-Wüst","doi":"10.1159/000552252","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000552252","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><p>Introduction: Bryophyllum spp. preparations are frequently used in integrative settings. A recent study observed a reduction in anxiety symptoms among a heterogeneous group of psychiatric/psychosomatic patients after 2 weeks of treatment with Bryophyllum 50% chewable tablets. This secondary analysis aims to identify variables associated with a stronger reduction in anxiety symptoms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty-four patients with anxiety symptoms were recruited from the waiting list for inpatient care at the \"Klinik Arlesheim,\" Department of Psychiatry and Psychosomatics, and treated with Bryophyllum 50% chewable tablets (3 × 2 per day; Weleda AG, Arlesheim, Switzerland). The primary outcome was a change in anxiety symptoms, measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) after 2 weeks of treatment relative to baseline (ΔBAI). Comparisons were made across subgroups using one-way ANOVA. Multivariate analyses (MVA) were conducted to assess the relative importance of various independent variables, including the depression scale (PHQ-9).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BAI score decreased by an average of 5 points (from 27.4 ± 12.0 to 22.4 ± 12.1; p < 0.001, n = 54). ΔBAI decreased progressively across age quartiles and increased with baseline BAI scores (BAI_bl). Patients on benzodiazepines showed less improvement compared to those who were not. MVA indicated that ΔBAI was significantly associated with age (inversely) and with BAI_bl (proportionally), after adjusting for other relevant variables. When BAI_bl was excluded from the MVA model, a nonsignificant association was observed between ΔBAI and PHQ-9.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Due to the uncontrolled single-arm design, our findings are exploratory and do not permit causal inferences. Nevertheless, this explorative analysis suggests that younger age and more severe anxiety symptoms were associated with greater reductions in anxiety symptom burden during treatment with Bryophyllum 50% chewable tablets. </p>.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"191-198"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13271684/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147811717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and Validation of the Belief Scale for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.","authors":"Şule Çalışır Kundakçı, Tuğba Öz, Yusuf Karaşin, Yalçın Karagöz","doi":"10.1159/000550024","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000550024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The aim of this study was to develop a psychometric measurement tool to assess beliefs regarding complementary and alternative medicine and to ensure its validity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For the purpose of the study, sample of 735 people was reached between December 2023 and April 2024. During the scale development process, exploratory factor analysis was first conducted using packaged programs. The accuracy of structure determined by exploratory factor analysis was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The scale comprises 6 subdimensions, including psychological, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, acceptance, perceived benefits, and spirituality, with a total of 37 items. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of the developed Belief Scale for Complementary and Alternative Medicine was calculated as 0.925. The Bartlett's test result was significant (p = 0.000), indicating high correlations among variables.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The developed Belief Scale for Complementary and Alternative Medicine was found to be a reliable and valid scale with psychometric properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"79-88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145766851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erratum.","authors":"","doi":"10.1159/000550266","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000550266","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the article by Kalbermatten and Saller entitled \"St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Fresh Plant Tincture for Patients with Mild to Moderate Depression: A Prospective Observational Study\" [Complement Med Res. 2025;32:363-375; https://doi.org/10.1159/000547920], there is an error in Table 1. In the row for \"C-SJW-ft (pp strict)\", several values were incorrectly reported due to an extraneous \"1\" being added before the correct numbers and abbreviations. The correct values should be: \"C-SJW-ft (pp strict)\" (not \"1C-SJW-ft\"), 42 (not 142), 76% (not 176%), 24% (not 124%), 51 (not 151), 11.8 drops (not 111.8 drops), 49% (not 149%), and 50% (not 150%).The original article has been updated.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"89"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13143241/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146104182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Traditional Korean Medicine Use on Medical Costs in Patients with Cancer in Korea.","authors":"Ji-Eun Yu, Hui-Yong Kwak, Eunji Ahn, Dongsu Kim","doi":"10.1159/000551613","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000551613","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, and many patients use traditional medicine (TM) or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to manage symptoms; however, their economic impact remains unclear. In Korea, traditional Korean medicine (TKM) is practiced alongside Western medicine (WM); however, some CAM practices lie outside licensed TKM. This study investigated TKM use and its costs among cancer patients, examining its relationship with WM and CAM costs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study classified cancer patients from the 2016 Korean Health Panel Survey (KHPS) into treatment and comparison groups based on TKM use in 2017. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to ensure comparability, while WM and CAM costs in 2018 were analyzed using generalized linear models and marginal effects.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After 1:2 PSM, 374 cancer patients were included (125 TKM users; 249 nonusers). TKM use was not significantly associated with WM costs; however, it was linked to reduced CAM costs. TKM costs showed no significant association with WM or CAM costs. Subgroup analysis revealed that TKM use was associated with a greater decrease in CAM costs among survivors diagnosed more than 5 years prior.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TKM use among cancer patients was associated with reduced CAM costs but not with WM costs. The CAM cost-saving effect was more substantial in long-term survivors, suggesting a shift toward institutionalized TKM use; however, increased TKM spending did not further reduce CAM costs. These findings imply a need for policies that promote evidence-based appropriate TKM use to improve healthcare cost efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"211-224"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147503258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erratum.","authors":"","doi":"10.1159/000550925","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000550925","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the article \"Effect of Amla Extract on Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Total Body Fat, Visceral Fat, Skeletal Muscle Mass, Body Age, and Related Parameters: A Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Study in Obese Participants\" [Complement Med Res. 2025;32:326-340; https://doi.org/10.1159/000545247] by Rathore et al., the name of one of the co-authors is incorrectly given.The correct name of the second author is Ankita Yadav.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"274"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147834543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}