Complementary Medicine Research最新文献

{"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}

{"title":"Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Activity in Switzerland: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis.","authors":"Bingjun Chen, Xiaoying Lv, Koryna Lottenbach, Chantal Zeier, Dominic Jaminet, Sarangoo Solongo, Timo Hummel, Talia Wicker, Ahmet Sevik, Xiaying Wang, Michael Hammes, Yiming Li, Saroj K Pradhan, Michael Furian","doi":"10.1159/000550868","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000550868","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is becoming popular in Switzerland; however, Swiss TCM research activity and scientific output have not been investigated. The objective of this work was to describe the Swiss TCM research activities and main health conditions studied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature search of PubMed (covering databases such as MEDLINE, life science journals and online books) and Embase was performed from database inception to December 31, 2023. Articles describing a TCM-related therapy modality in humans with at least one author affiliated with a Swiss institution were selected for the study. The primary outcome was the main health condition studied. Secondary outcomes were the total number of articles published over time, the TCM therapies used, and the Swiss institutions involved.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 223 published articles included in the final analysis, 68.2% originated from the top 3 of 73 Swiss institutions: the University of Zurich (32.3%), University of Bern (30.0%), and University of Basel (7.6%). Overall, 116 (52.0%) articles described original studies containing primary data. The top health category studied was pain management (16.4%). The most used TCM therapies were acupuncture and moxibustion (61.2%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Until 2023, the total number of scientific TCM output by Swiss authors is steadily increasing but remains small. More effort to conducted TCM research and elucidate the TCM therapy effects in Switzerland is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"174-184"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147303205","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":"Improvement of Exercise Tolerance and Physical Function in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction by QiShen YiQi Dripping Pills.","authors":"YuXin Li, JunHao Gong, XiangPei Wang","doi":"10.1159/000550786","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000550786","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Decreased exercise tolerance and impaired physical function in elderly patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are key issues affecting the quality of life, with limited enhancement from available treatments. QiShen YiQi (QSYQ) dripping pills have the effect of benefiting qi and activating blood. The aim of this study was to investigate its effects on the improvement of exercise tolerance, physical function, and cardiac function in elderly patients with HFpEF.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study is an open-label, evaluator-blinded randomized controlled trial, which included 84 elderly HFpEF patients ≥65 years old from January 2023 to March 2025, and is randomly divided into a control group (42 patients) and a treatment group (42 patients). The control group was treated with basic HFpEF therapy (following the 2022 ESC and 2023 Chinese Heart Failure Guidelines), and the treatment group was treated with QSYQ dropping pills (0.5 g/trip, 3 times daily for 12 weeks) in combination with basic therapy. The primary endpoint was 6-min walking distance (6MWD) at 12 weeks, and secondary endpoints included physical function indices (4-meter walking speed, grip strength, SPPB total score, etc.), quality of life score (KCCQ, etc.), laboratory index (NT-proBNP), and echocardiographic parameters (LVEF, LAVI, etc.).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable (p > 0.05). After 12 weeks of treatment, 6MWD increased significantly in the treatment group compared with the control group (difference between groups: 20.38 meters, 95% CI: 1.74-39.02, p = 0.035) and showed a trend of continuous improvement with the duration of treatment (baseline vs. 12 weeks, p = 0.010). Among the secondary endpoints, the treatment group showed significantly better improvement in SPPB total score (p < 0.001), KCCQ score (p < 0.001), and LAVI (p = 0.039) than the control group, and there was a trend of decreasing NT-proBNP, but the difference was not statistically significant between the groups (p = 0.096). After adjusting for confounders, the improvement of 6MWD in the treatment group was still significantly better than that in the control group (p = 0.035).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The combination of QSYQ dripping pills with standard therapy may yield limited improvements in exercise tolerance, physical function, and quality of life for elderly patients with HFpEF, and may potentially mitigate left atrial remodeling. However, given the sample size and design limitations of this study, these findings are exploratory. Their precise clinical value and long-term safety require validation through further large-scale studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"95-106"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146206813","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":"Neuroprotective Effects of <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> Extract in Neurological Disorders: Integrating Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Mechanisms.","authors":"Kumar M R Bhat, Prasanna Lc, Naveen Kumar, Bhagath Kumar Potu, Ramya Kateel","doi":"10.1159/000552633","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000552633","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><p>Background: Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and ischemic stroke are major causes of global disability and mortality. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play central roles in their pathogenesis. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), particularly the standardized formulation EGb 761, contains flavonoids and terpenoids that exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial-protective effects. These pleiotropic actions position GBE as a promising candidate for neuroprotection. Summary: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from preclinical and clinical studies on the neuroprotective actions of GBE. Experimental data demonstrate that GBE attenuates oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species and enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses, while simultaneously downregulating pro-inflammatory mediators through NF-κB inhibition and NLRP3 inflammasome suppression. Additional benefits include stabilization of mitochondrial function, modulation of neurotransmission, and prevention of apoptosis. Preclinical models consistently show improvements in cognition, motor function, and neuronal survival across diverse disease contexts. Clinical findings, however, are mixed: some randomized trials report improved cognition and functional outcomes in dementia and Parkinsonism, whereas others show no superiority over placebo. Variability in study design, extract standardization, and treatment regimens contribute to these discrepancies. Key Messages: GBE exerts multifaceted neuroprotective effects through combined antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, mitochondrial, and neurotransmitter-modulating actions. Preclinical evidence strongly supports its role in mitigating pathological processes underlying Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and ischemic injury. But clinical outcomes remain inconsistent. GBE holds potential as a safe, multi-target adjunctive therapy for complex central nervous system disorders, but translation into consistent clinical practice requires further validation. </p>.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"312-333"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13399941/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148053150","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":"Erratum.","authors":"","doi":"10.1159/000551265","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000551265","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The article \"Yoga Nidra and Pain: A between-, within-Group Meta-Analysis and Dose Response Meta-Regression\" [Complement Med Res. 2025;32:495-521; https://doi.org/10.1159/000549416] by Ghai and Ghai was published with the wrong open access license. The correct license of the article is CC-BY.The original article has been updated.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"185"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13143252/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147485011","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 Preliminary Psychometric Evaluation of Agni Assessment Scale: A Measure of Functional Digestive Capacity Based on Ayurveda.","authors":"Ashwathykutty V, Kamlesh Singh, Shabdapriti G, Bhogavalli Chandrasekhara Rao, Narayanam Srikanth, Rabinarayan Acharya","doi":"10.1159/000551010","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000551010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>As traditional systems of medicine gain global popularity and acceptance, it has become essential to validate their unique concepts using evidence-based research methodologies. This study aims to develop a self-assessment tool called the Agni Assessment Scale (AAS) to identify the state of Agni, a key concept in Ayurveda that represents digestive and metabolic functions. It also seeks to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The development of the scale was divided into two phases involving 467 participants from India. In the first phase, an initial pool of items was created through a literature review, consultations with clinicians, and a field study (n = 100). The second phase screened the items for their content validity, conducted an exploratory factor analysis (n = 367), and tested for reliability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Preliminary evidence supported the factorial structure of the 26-item Agni Assessment Scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) provided support for four subscales: Samagni subscale, Vishamagni subscale, Mandagni subscale, and Tikshnagni subscale. The final version demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (subscale α ranging from 0.57 to 0.83), with all subscales except Samagni meeting conventional reliability thresholds.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The EFA demonstrated promising psychometric properties and conceptual coherence with Ayurvedic theory, though further validation in clinical and cross-cultural contexts is essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"199-210"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147347786","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":"A Case Report of Adult Lead Poisoning following the Use of Nonprescription Ayurvedic Medication in Germany.","authors":"Rodina Acharya-Büch, Pune Ivaki, Michael Jeitler, Vijayendra Murthy, Christian S Kessler","doi":"10.1159/000549523","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000549523","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This case report describes a 65-year-old female patient from Germany who developed clinically significant lead poisoning following the use of Ayurvedic herbal preparations provided by an unlicensed practitioner in a major German city.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>Although the patient presented with nonspecific symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and gastrointestinal complaints - possible indicators of heavy metal toxicity - these warning signs were initially overlooked by the practitioner. It was only after a colleague at the same institute raised concerns that appropriate diagnostic investigations were initiated. Laboratory analyses revealed a markedly elevated blood lead level (BLL) of 574 µg/L, prompting hospitalization and initiation of chelation therapy with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). The patient responded well to DMSA therapy, with subsequent serum lead levels showing a marked decrease to 86 µg/L at a 10-months follow-up. She tolerated the treatment without significant adverse effects and is in good health, able to engage fully in both her personal and professional life. Despite this adverse experience with lead toxicity resulting from advice given by an unlicensed Ayurvedic practitioner, the patient remains interested in Ayurveda - now with a strong preference for treatment by qualified and licensed professionals.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case underscores a key lesson: adverse outcomes in traditional medicine often result not from the therapeutic system itself but from its use outside of regulatory and ethical frameworks. It highlights the importance of seeking care from trained and licensed practitioners and emphasizes the necessity of sourcing botanical products only from rigorously tested, quality-controlled, and legally registered suppliers within the European Union or other places outside Ayurveda´s countries of origin. Using preparations following rasa-śāstra -practice is contraindicated in the EU because of possibly toxic doses of heavy metals.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"59-68"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145596195","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 Tai Chi and Qigong on Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining Baseline Autonomic Function and Intervention Complexity as Moderators in Adults.","authors":"Yasmine A Gunawan, Mein-Woei Suen, Hanifa M Denny, Ishita Chauhan, Milcha Fakhria, Siswi Jayanti, Earl F I Mallari","doi":"10.1159/000550084","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000550084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) are mind-body practices widely recognized for their psychological benefits; however, the underlying physiological mechanisms remain less clearly defined. Time-domain heart rate variability (HRV) indices, specifically standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), serve as valuable markers of autonomic function. This meta-analysis quantified the effects of TCQ on these HRV parameters and examined whether baseline autonomic function and intervention complexity influenced outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and a registered protocol (PROSPERO CRD420251053398), randomized controlled and quasi-experimental studies comparing TCQ with control interventions in adults were systematically synthesized. Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL Ultimate, and MEDLINE Ultimate databases from 2022 to 2025, with earlier studies identified through backward citation tracking. Eligible studies reported time-domain HRV outcomes with SDNN and RMSSD as the primary endpoints. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 for randomized controlled trials and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate Hedges' g with 95% confidence intervals. Pre-specified moderators included baseline autonomic function and intervention complexity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, all involving participants who were naïve to TCQ. Ten studies (N = 543) provided SDNN data, and pooled analyses showed a moderate improvement with TCQ (g = 0.47, 95% CI: [0.22, 0.72]; p < 0.001; I2 = 49%; τ2 = 0.078). Four studies (N = 212) reported RMSSD data, revealing a significant increase (g = 0.60, 95% CI: [0.21, 0.99]; p = 0.002; I2 = 49%; τ2 = 0.078). The risk of bias was generally assessed as having some concerns. Notably, baseline autonomic function significantly moderated treatment effects, with larger gains observed in participants exhibiting preserved baseline autonomic function (Q = 7.59, p = 0.014); however, intervention complexity did not significantly influence outcomes (Q = 0.02, p = 0.89).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TCQ was associated with moderate improvements in time-domain HRV (SDNN and RMSSD). The effects were larger at normal baseline HRV, and we found no evidence that intervention complexity modified the outcomes. The certainty of evidence is limited by the risk of bias, potential confounding, and heterogeneity. Low-complexity readiness-tailored routines may be appropriate for pilot prevention or adjunctive programs. Confirmation requires well-powered baseline-stratified trials, particularly in impaired cohorts.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"42-58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145793405","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":"Pestle Needle Therapy for Insomnia and Beyond: A Critical Look at Methodological Challenges in Current Evidence Synthesis.","authors":"Fei-Yi Zhao, Wen-Jing Zhang, Yuan Xin Lee, Yuen-Shan Ho, Qiang-Qiang Fu, Russell Conduit","doi":"10.1159/000549628","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000549628","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"265-273"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573311","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":"Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treated with Homoeopathy as Adjuvant in an Integrative Management Model: An Evidence-Based Case Report.","authors":"Rajat Kumar Pal, Suman Chandra, Swarup Biswas, Doly Chakraborty","doi":"10.1159/000548972","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000548972","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), among the most severe complications associated with diabetes, impose a substantial economic and public health burden due to their significant prevalence (15-25%). In India, the escalating incidence of DFUs has markedly increased the frequency of lower-limb amputations. This case sought to examine the potential wound healing efficacy of homeopathic medicines as part of an integrative approach to DFUs management, demonstrated through evidence-based case reports.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>Patient presenting with DFU classified as Wagner grade 2 and with a 12-year history of diabetes were managed using individualized homeopathic treatment. Alongside homeopathic intervention, patients continued their prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents for glycemic control and adhered to routine wound-dressing protocols. DFU was monitored until complete healing using the Leg Ulcer Measurement Tool (LUMT). Neuropathic involvement was evaluated via the 10 g monofilament tactile test, while the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy Inventory (MONARCH) tool was employed to determine the probability of a causal relationship between the observed clinical improvement and the homeopathic treatment. Within 12 weeks, the DFU demonstrated notable healing, reflected in a significant reduction in LUMT scores. The MONARCH tool assessment yielded a score of +8, strongly suggesting a causal link between the observed therapeutic outcomes and the homeopathic intervention. The homeopathic remedies administered were found to contribute effectively to the patient's recovery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adjuvant Homeopathic treatment appeared to play a supportive role in expediting the healing process of DFU within a clinically acceptable timeframe.</p>","PeriodicalId":10541,"journal":{"name":"Complementary Medicine Research","volume":" ","pages":"69-78"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146003211","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}