Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine最新文献

{"title":"The Effect of Tai Chi on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Mingming Wang, Dong Wang, Yongchao Liao, Ruipeng Li, Yufei Zhong, Jiayuan Zhang","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0759","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0759","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background and Aim:</i></b> Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of sudden death, are primarily driven by metabolic dysfunction, a core mechanism underlying their onset and progression. Emerging research suggests that Tai Chi, an ancient martial art, positively impacts metabolic health. Accordingly, we sought to conduct a systematic review to examine clinical evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of Tai Chi in managing cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs). <b><i>Methods and Results:</i></b> A comprehensive literature search of eight electronic databases identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that met predefined inclusion criteria, focusing on adults with CRFs such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and glycemic dysregulation. Interventions involving Tai Chi were compared with nonexercise controls or other exercise modalities. Outcomes included lipid profiles, blood pressure, blood glucose, body composition, and adverse events. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Thirteen RCTs involving 1746 participants were included. Tai Chi significantly reduced triglycerides (TG) (mean difference [MD] = -0.20, <i>p</i> < 0.0001), fasting blood glucose (MD = -0.36, <i>p</i> = 0.025), DBP (MD = -4.49, <i>p</i> = 0.010), and waist circumference (MD = -3.34, <i>p</i> = 0.0001), while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = 0.09, <i>p</i> < 0.0001) compared with nonexercise interventions. Compared with other exercises, Tai Chi reduced total cholesterol (MD = -0.33, <i>p</i> = 0.007) and TG (MD = -0.14, <i>p</i> = 0.0056). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) assessment indicated the overall quality of evidence supporting these findings was moderate. No serious adverse events were reported. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Tai Chi is an effective and safe exercise intervention for managing CRFs, especially for populations unable to engage in high-intensity exercise. While Tai Chi demonstrates modest efficacy compared with other exercises, its safety and accessibility make it a valuable option in clinical practice. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm long-term effects and optimize intervention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"641-653"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143558231","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":"Association of Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Management of Acute Low Back Pain with Overdose Hospitalizations: A Nested Case-Control Study.","authors":"Patience M Dow, Neto Coulibaly, Anthony Girard, Jessica S Merlin, Theresa I Shireman, Amal N Trivedi, Richa Gairola, Brandon D L Marshall","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2024.1032","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jicm.2024.1032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Noninvasive nonpharmacologic therapies are recommended for managing acute low back pain (aLBP) and have the potential to mitigate opioid-related harms. However, little is known about whether incorporating nonpharmacologic therapies into aLBP management affects adverse outcomes. The objective was to determine if receiving nonpharmacologic pain therapies, alone or combined with pharmacologic options, is associated with drug-related overdose hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries with aLBP. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A nested case-control study was conducted using 2016-2019 Medicare claims to identify fee-for-service beneficiaries with new episodes of aLBP (i.e., LBP lasting <3 months). Cases had inpatient claims for drug overdoses within 90 days of aLBP diagnosis. The exposure was mutually exclusive categories for pain therapies: (1) pharmacologic only (opioids and/or gabapentinoids), (2) nonpharmacologic only (physical therapy and/or spinal manipulation therapy), (3) both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, and (4) none of these. The outcome was hospitalization involving drug overdose. We conducted conditional logistic regression adjusting for baseline sociodemographic, clinical, and geographic covariates. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There were 3,042 cases and 12,168 matched controls. One-third (33.7%) of cases versus 26.8% of controls received pharmacologic therapies only compared with 6.7% (cases) and 10.2% (controls) for nonpharmacologic therapies only. Receipt of both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies was 7.3% (cases) and 3.2% (controls). Compared with exclusively receiving pharmacologic therapies, receiving nonpharmacologic therapies only was associated with lower odds of overdose-related hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.66), whereas pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments combined were associated with nearly twofold increased odds of overdose-related hospitalization (aOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.55-2.27). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Among Medicare beneficiaries with new episodes of aLBP, treatment with only nonpharmacologic therapies was protective of overdose hospitalizations. However, any treatment with opioids and/or gabapentinoids, alone or combined with nonpharmacologic therapies, was associated with increased odds of overdose hospitalization. Implementation research is needed to inform successful adoption of nonpharmacologic pain therapies especially in subgroups with increased risk of adverse outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"664-673"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12332382/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143781488","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":"Interprofessional Collaboration in Integrative and Complementary Medicine.","authors":"Holger Cramer, Alina Schleinzer, Mirela-Ioana Bilc","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2025.0417","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jicm.2025.0417","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"589-590"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144310454","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":"Integrating Health Coaching in Oncology: Answering the Call.","authors":"Julie Bach, Rosy Daniel, Izabella Natrins","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2025.0344","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jicm.2025.0344","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"591-595"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144289678","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":"Pre-Pandemic Physical Activity and Early COVID-19 Pandemic Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults.","authors":"Dennis Muñoz-Vergara, Howard D Sesso, Eunjung Kim, Maurizio Fava, I-Min Lee, Julie E Buring, JoAnn E Manson, Peter M Wayne","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0791","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0791","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Importance:</i></b> Pre-pandemic physical activity (PA) levels may be associated with a lower risk of experiencing depressive symptoms in the context of psychosocial resilience during a global crisis. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To investigate the association between self-reported pre-pandemic PA levels and the risk of experiencing depressive symptoms during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in older U.S. adults. <b><i>Design, Setting, and Participants:</i></b> We combined three large ongoing prospective cohorts of US adults who provided pre-pandemic baseline self-reports of leisure-time PA and other risk factors using the most recent questionnaire completed as of December 2019. In June 2020, participants reported in a survey whether they had experienced depressive symptoms in the last 7 days. <b><i>Exposure:</i></b> Pre-pandemic PA data were categorized by validated criteria into three groups by metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-hr/wk): inactive (0-3.5), insufficiently active (>3.5 to <7.5), and sufficiently active (≥7.5). <b><i>Main Outcome and Measures:</i></b> Our primary outcome was depressive symptoms experienced during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, assessed by the PROMIS-29 depression domain. We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of each of the two upper pre-pandemic PA categories versus the lowest PA category with depressive symptoms during the early pandemic. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In total, 35,320 older U.S. adults comprised the pooled cohort (mean [standard deviation] age, 74.9[5.9] years; 66.8% female). For PA categories, 15.8% were inactive; 10.4% insufficiently active; and 73.8%, sufficiently active. A total of 1668 participants reported experiencing depressive symptoms in June 2020. After controlling for demographics, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, medications, and pre-pandemic depression at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with the inactive group, those sufficiently active had significantly lower odds of experiencing depressive symptoms (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.66-0.86). In subgroup analyses, the association between PA and depressive symptoms differed by ethnic group. <b><i>Conclusion and Relevance:</i></b> In this cohort of older U.S. adults, those who achieved at least 7.5 MET-hr/wk of pre-pandemic PA had lower odds of exhibiting depressive symptoms during the early months of the pandemic. Hence, higher pre-pandemic PA levels may be associated with lower odds of experiencing depressive symptoms during exceptional global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"654-663"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12332390/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143987908","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":"Instruments for Evaluating Undergraduate Medical Education in Complementary and Integrative Medicine: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Angelika Homberg, Gabriele Rotter, Miriam Thye, Kristina Flägel, Beate Stock-Schröer","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0614","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0614","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The provision of courses in complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) varies widely between medical schools. To effectively improve CIM education, it is essential to use robust evaluation instruments that measure the impact of different educational interventions. This review aimed to identify and critically appraise qualitative and quantitative instruments used to evaluate CIM courses in undergraduate medical education. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A systematic review was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, LIVIVO, CINAHL/EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Ovid/Embase in January 2023. Eligible studies included complete evaluation instruments for medical students and reported learning outcomes. Data extraction included information on the study design, the educational intervention, the evaluation instrument, and the outcome measure (e.g., Kirkpatrick levels: 1 reaction, 2a attitudes, 2b knowledge/skills, 3 behavioral change, 4 results). Instruments were categorized as validated, nonvalidated, or qualitative and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Validated instruments were assessed for quality using standardized criteria. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the 1909 records identified, 263 were subjected to a full-text review and 100 studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven studies reported on 14 validated instruments, 7 studies reported on qualitative, and 66 reported on nonvalidated instruments. Most were conducted in the United States (31) and Europe (28), 51 were cross-sectional studies, and 42 were intervention studies. Most of the instruments were self-administered (50), addressed general aspects of CIM (53), and assessed student attitudes (74). None of the validated instruments covered Kirkpatrick level 1, one covered level 3. Measurement of levels 2b and 3 was usually based on subjective self-assessment. Qualitative instruments covered the widest range of outcomes overall. Validated instruments often had good content validity and internal consistency, but lacked reliability and responsiveness. Revalidation of translated or modified instruments was mostly inadequate. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> This structured and comprehensive set of existing instruments provides a starting point for the further development of CIM course evaluation in undergraduate medical education. Future studies should prioritize the measurement of higher-level learning outcomes, such as behavioral change and impact on patient care. Comparative intervention studies between medical schools or with pre-post designs and follow-up evaluations are needed to assess the effectiveness of different teaching approaches. Regular revalidation of both existing and newly developed instruments is essential to ensure their applicability to different audiences and settings. Their structured and standardized use would promote evidence-based CIM training and understanding of its impact on student competencies and patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"596-610"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012979","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 Scoping Review on Clinical Research of Acupuncture Treatment for Pressure Injury.","authors":"Hengjing Zhu, Yingqi Xu, Rongrong Hu, Jinlan Jiang, Ruxuan Zhang, Xiaoqing Jin","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0695","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0695","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objective:</i></b> Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical therapy that has shown effective results in the treatment of pressure injuries (PI). However, current clinical research methodologies have certain flaws that impact the evaluation of efficacy. This review aims to summarize the characteristics of existing clinical studies on acupuncture treatment for PI and analyze the current research status. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Following the research methodology for scoping reviews, databases, including CNKI, Wanfang Data, China Biology Medicine, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, were searched. The search period covered from the inception of the databases up to February 22, 2024. The studies included were screened, summarized, and analyzed, extracting data from three aspects as follows: bibliometric data, patient information, and research design. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 46 clinical studies were included. These comprised 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 11 case series, 2 case reports, and 3 controlled clinical trials. Filiform needle therapy was the most commonly used acupuncture technique. Acupuncture is basically performed locally on the wound surface. The clinical efficacy rate was the most frequently used outcome measure. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Clinical studies on acupuncture for PI have issues such as nonstandard selection and reporting of outcomes, inconsistent indicator evaluation tools, and unclear concept of \"randomization\" in RCTs. These factors lead to significant heterogeneity among studies, affecting the assessment of treatment efficacy. Future research should strictly standardize the design and reporting of RCTs and promote the establishment of core outcome sets for acupuncture treatment of PI, to enhance the evidence quality of acupuncture clinical research.</p>","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"629-640"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142732361","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":"Identifying Behavioral Change Techniques and Mode of Delivery in Yoga Interventions Across Five Neurological Conditions: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Himani Prajapati, Krista L Best, Aditya Dhariwal, W Ben Mortenson, William C Miller","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0536","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jicm.2024.0536","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objective:</i></b> To identify behavior change techniques (BCTs) and the mode of delivery used in yoga interventions across five neurological conditions. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews. Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL databases were searched, combining key terms for population and intervention. Covidence software was used for study selection. Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist was used to report the intervention and study quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Interventions were coded for BCTs using various taxonomies and delivery approaches were classified using Mode of Delivery Taxonomy Version 0. <b><i>Result:</i></b> Among 4805 articles screened, 35 met the inclusion criteria. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke were the most prevalent disability types with fewer studies on spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. A total of 134 BCTs were identified, 20 out of the 93 BCTs (25%) were from the BCT v1 taxonomy, while 15 additional BCTs were identified from other taxonomies and some BCTs were defined by the authors based on the need for yoga interventions. The most used BCTs included 12.6 body changes (68.57%, <i>n</i> = 24), 4.1 instruction (57.14%, <i>n</i> = 20), 12.5 adding objects (48.57%, <i>n</i> = 17), 1.2 problem solving (37.14%, <i>n</i> = 13), 6.1 demonstration (34.28%, <i>n</i> = 12), 8.1 behavioral practice and rehearsal (31.42%, <i>n</i> = 11), and 8.7 graded tasks (28.57%, <i>n</i> = 10). The most common delivery approach was face-to-face. The median PEDro score was 6 indicating medium study quality. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Clear reporting of the intervention description and use of BCTs may enhance understanding and ability to replicate yoga interventions. This helps to adapt yoga by changing behaviors using specific BCTs to meet the goals and principles of yoga depending on the target population. The review may help inform future research to examine the effectiveness of specific BCTs on desired outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"611-628"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143415294","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":"Herbal Medicine for Treating Herpes Labialis: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Melanie Anheyer, Holger Cramer, Thomas Ostermann, Alfred Längler, Dennis Anheyer","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2025.0131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2025.0131","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Introduction:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Herpes labialis, commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, affects millions globally and is traditionally managed with nucleoside antiviral drugs. However, increasing interest in complementary and integrative therapies has led to the exploration of topical herbal treatments as potential alternatives or adjuncts in managing this condition. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Cochrane guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations, with prior registration. A comprehensive search of Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed from inception to June 17, 2024. After screening 7,386 nonduplicate records and assessing 346 full-text articles, 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) encompassing 1,250 patients were included. Data were extracted regarding intervention types, outcomes, and adverse events, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The included studies evaluated topical formulations of lemon balm (&lt;i&gt;Melissa officinalis&lt;/i&gt; L.), olive leaf extract (&lt;i&gt;Olea europaea&lt;/i&gt; L.), propolis, and a combined sage-rhubarb cream (&lt;i&gt;Salvia officinalis&lt;/i&gt; L., &lt;i&gt;Rheum palmatum&lt;/i&gt; L., and &lt;i&gt;Rheum officinale&lt;/i&gt; Baill.). Lemon balm preparations consistently reduced pain intensity and swelling, with some studies also reporting a significant decrease in lesion size compared with placebo or acyclovir. Olive leaf extract demonstrated a statistically significant faster improvement in symptoms and a shorter healing time compared with acyclovir. Compared with acyclovir, propolis formulations significantly shortened the median time to lesion encrustation and complete healing compared with acyclovir, and the combined sage-rhubarb cream showed a comparable efficacy to acyclovir in mean healing time. Overall, the risk of bias was judged to be low in two trials, while five trials raised some concerns. The total sample size across studies was small, potentially limiting the generalizability of the results. Across all studies, adverse events were minimal or absent. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Discussion:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The findings indicate that topical herbal therapies may provide effective and well-tolerated alternatives or adjuncts to conventional antiviral treatments for herpes labialis. However, considerable heterogeneity in intervention protocols and outcome measures, as well as the underrepresentation of pediatric populations, limit the generalizability of these findings. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusion&lt;/i&gt;:&lt;/b&gt; Topical herbal interventions, including lemon balm, olive leaf extract, propolis, and sage-rhubarb formulations, demonstrate potential benefits in managing herpes labialis with favorable safety profiles. Future well-designed, large-scale RCTs employing standardized methodologies are necessary to confirm these findings and to establish optimal treatment protocols for di","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144318146","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":"Mapping the Theories and Models on the Mode of Action of Homeopathy: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Christoph Dombrowsky, Sabine D Klein, Sandra Würtenberger, Stephan Baumgartner, Alexander L Tournier","doi":"10.1089/jicm.2024.1007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2024.1007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> There is currently no generally accepted theory able to explain the observed clinical efficacy of homeopathy. The aim of this scoping review is to identify all theoretical approaches that have been used to explain homeopathy, with the objective of establishing a basis for identifying promising hypotheses and theories for future elaboration. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PhilPapers, several online library catalogs, and personal libraries were searched for original studies up to July 12, 2024. Screening and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Publications were included if they developed or advanced theories or models related to homeopathy. The aspect of homeopathy addressed by each study was extracted: the Principle of Similars and/or Potentisation. The theories identified in this review could be grouped into 14 overarching theoretical frameworks. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In total, 2118 records were screened, 500 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 216 studies were included in this review. Starting in 1832 until the late 20th century, only sporadic contributions were found. From the 1990s, a marked increase in scholarly output was recorded. Most first authors were established in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, or India. The frameworks with the highest number of contributions were humanities, complex systems, water structures, and weak quantum theory. Overall, 22% of included publications described theoretical approaches that tried to cover both main aspects of homeopathy, 46% only Potentisation, 20% only the Principle of Similars (and 11% were unspecific). The theories within the humanities framework focused more on the Principle of Similars, complex systems theories on both principles, and the theories within the water structures, nanostructures, and mathematical models frameworks focused mostly on the Potentisation aspect. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This scoping review offers an overview of theories and models on the mode of action of homeopathy. These could be classified into 14 largely nonoverlapping frameworks. Unexpectedly, the placebo did not emerge as such a framework. In the next step, these theories would be assessed in terms of their quality, plausibility, compatibility with modern science, and experimental falsifiability.</p>","PeriodicalId":29734,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144267475","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}