Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing最新文献

{"title":"Acupuncture combined with Guizhi Fuling Wan decoction for adenomyosis-associated dysmenorrhea: A case report","authors":"Tongtong Liu ,&nbsp;SiWen Ma ,&nbsp;XuePing Si","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Adenomyosis (AM) is a common gynecological disorder frequently observed in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by the invasion of endometrial glands and stroma into the myometrium, often manifesting as secondary dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and infertility. Although hormonal therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the mainstream treatments, their long-term efficacy and side effects pose significant clinical challenges. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly herbal medicine and acupuncture, has emerged as a safer alternative therapy.</div></div><div><h3>Case summary</h3><div>A 39-year-old Asian woman presented to our hospital with a 10-year history of progressively worsening menstrual pain, accompanied by menstrual hypermenorrhea over the past 2 years. She was diagnosed with adenomyosis. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the diagnosis was dysmenorrhea associated with the Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Notably, despite treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, her dysmenorrhea remained unresponsive. The patient was treated with a modified herbal formula, Guizhi Fuling Wan (GZFLW), and acupuncture. After three menstrual cycles of treatment, her dysmenorrhea and other systemic symptoms significantly improved. At the time of writing this report, no recurrence had been observed during follow-up, and no adverse reactions occurred throughout the entire treatment period.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The success of this case indicates that traditional Chinese medicine can serve as an independent treatment option for secondary dysmenorrhea caused by adenomyosis, offering a viable alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It holds unique value and significant clinical importance for patients who are unresponsive to NSAIDs and refuse hormone-based therapies. However, further rigorous clinical trials are needed to validate these findings<strong>.</strong></div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Article 103169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143874856","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 traditional Chinese medicine in managing neutropenic fever during chemotherapy for pediatric lymphoma: A case report","authors":"Szu-Yu Pan ,&nbsp;Shi-Chen Ou ,&nbsp;Tung-Ti Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Neutropenic fever (NF) is a critical complication in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. While Western medicine provides standardized management, the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an adjunctive therapy in pediatric cases remains underexplored.</div></div><div><h3>Case Presentation</h3><div>We report the case of a 14-year-old female diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who developed persistent NF following chemotherapy. Despite broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, her fever remained high, reaching 42.2 °C with a WBC count of 70/µL. Given concerns over liver function abnormalities (AST/ALT = 70/229 IU/L) and chemotherapy-related side effects, adjunctive TCM treatment was initiated. The treatment strategy evolved through different therapeutic phases, including resolving dampness and supporting gastrointestinal and hepatic functions, followed by alleviating heat with Sweet-Warm Approach—a TCM method aimed at dispelling Yin Fire—and later a strategy transitioned to a treatment strategy focusing on regulating lung Qi to relieve respiratory symptoms. Clinical improvements were observed, with liver function normalization on July 12^th (AST/ALT = 23/26 IU/L) and eventual resolution of fever.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This case highlights the potential role of TCM as a complementary approach in managing chemotherapy-related complications in pediatric patients. The tailored use of TCM strategies may offer additional benefits in supporting immune function and alleviating systemic imbalances in NF. Further studies are warranted to explore its broader application in pediatric oncology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103166"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143859995","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":"The remaining spiritual wounds of the warriors after the war: A call for action","authors":"Bayram Nejati-Zarnaqi ,&nbsp;Jamilah Hanum Abdul Khaiyom","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103165","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103165","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103165"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143850561","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":"Academic ageism: Marginalizing experienced researchers","authors":"Lucindo J. Quintans-Júnior ,&nbsp;Davi Pereira de Santana","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103164","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103164"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865068","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":"The impact of aromatherapy on pain, comfort, and anxiety in post-cesarean women: A randomized controlled study","authors":"Gülnihal ARTUĞ CANSIZLAR ,&nbsp;Nevin HOTUN ŞAHİN","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103161","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103161","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy on acute pain, anxiety, and comfort levels in primiparous women who underwent cesarean delivery.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>A randomized controlled experimental design was employed.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>The study was conducted between March 2022 and March 2023 in a public hospital in Istanbul with 120 women who met the inclusion criteria and participated voluntarily.</div></div><div><h3>Sample</h3><div>The sample consisted of 120 women divided into three groups: Intervention 1 (Inhaler) Group (<em>n</em> = 30), Intervention 2 (Massage) Group (<em>n</em> = 30), and Control Group (<em>n</em> = 60).</div></div><div><h3>Interventions</h3><div>Participants were assigned to groups using a simple random number table. Pre-test assessments included the Descriptive Information Form, State Anxiety Inventory, and Trait Anxiety Inventory. In the Massage Group, participants received a 10-minute essential oil massage starting at the 8th postoperative hour on Day 0 and twice daily for 10 min on Days 1 and 2. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). In the Inhaler Group, aromatherapy with essential oil inhaler sticks was administered four times daily for 5 min on postoperative Days 0, 1, and 2, followed by VAS evaluation. The Control Group received standard clinical care. On Day 2, all participants were reassessed using the State Anxiety Inventory, Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Postpartum Comfort Scale (PCS).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Pre-test scores showed no significant differences in anxiety levels between the groups (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). In the final evaluation, the Massage and Inhaler Groups had significantly lower VAS scores (1.670±0.922; 1.730±1.081) and State Anxiety Inventory scores (42.270±3.162; 44.530±3.181), and higher PCS scores (4.010±0.150; 3.819±0.245) compared to the Control Group. The Control Group exhibited higher VAS and anxiety scores and lower PCS scores.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Aromatherapy, particularly when applied via massage, is an effective non pharmacological method for reducing pain and anxiety and enhancing comfort in the postpartum period following cesarean delivery. Incorporating this approach into clinical protocols is recommended.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103161"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143823439","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":"The treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia from the perspective of spleen blood deficiency: a case report","authors":"Qiao Liu,&nbsp;Yong Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Primary immune thrombocytopenia (pITP) is caused by the increase of platelet destruction and decrease of platelet production mediated by immune disorders. The specific pathogenesis of ITP is complicated and unclear, so the treatment of ITP is still under exploration in both Chinese and Western medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>A 56-year-old female patient with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) achieved normalization of platelet levels following a 4-month course of combined Chinese and Western medical treatment. During the gradual reduction of both Chinese and Western medications over these 4 months, the patient's condition remained stable, with the goal of eventually discontinuing treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our case demonstrates that TCM therapy targeting spleen blood deficiency can achieve favorable therapeutic outcomes in ITP, thereby providing a novel treatment alternative for this condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103163"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143814818","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":"Investigation of the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on sleep quality and fatigue in young people with sleep problems: Randomized controlled study","authors":"Handan Özcan ,&nbsp;Merve Meşedüzü ,&nbsp;Esma Gülen ,&nbsp;Beyza Çopur","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103162","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103162","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Insomnia is a condition that negatively affects the quality of life, daily functioning, and academic success of university students.This study aims to investigate the effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on sleep quality and fatigue in young people with sleep problems.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This study is a randomized controlled trial. A total of 64 students were included in the study and divided into two groups. There were 32 participants in the intervention group and 32 in the control group. The intervention group received two EFT sessions with a four-week interval, while no interventions were applied to the control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire form that included socio-demographic characteristics, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Fatigue Severity Scale. A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the intervention group that received EFT, significant differences were found compared to the control group in terms of Insomnia Severity (t= 6.732, p= 0.001), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (t= 2.16, p= 0.034), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (t= 3.934, p= 0.001) scores. However, no significant difference was found in Fatigue Severity Scale scores (t= 0.910, p= 0.366). Nevertheless, the expected fatigue levels were maintained.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>According to the results, the application of EFT to young individuals with insomnia reduces insomnia and sleepiness issues and improves sleep quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103162"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143843275","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":"Treatment of iatrogenic brachial plexopathy persisting for 3 years due to cervical foraminotomy using Korean medicine: A case report (CARE-compliant)","authors":"Siyun Sung ,&nbsp;Han-Gyul Lee ,&nbsp;Seungwon Kwon ,&nbsp;Woo-Sang Jung ,&nbsp;Sang-Kwan Moon","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Extrinsic or iatrogenic brachial plexopathy often resolves spontaneously within six months. Although steroid therapy and rehabilitation interventions are employed in the management of brachial plexopathy, their efficacy remains limited with insufficient supporting evidence. Moreover, therapeutic options to improve symptoms after the natural recovery period are limited.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>A 49-year-old Asian woman was admitted with a three-year history of right upper extremity weakness and pain. The patient was diagnosed with sequelae of iatrogenic right brachial plexus injury due to cervical foraminotomy based on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the right brachial plexus and medical history. The patient was treated with a comprehensive treatment regimen, including the herbal prescription Bojungikgi-tang, bee venom pharmaco-acupuncture, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and electro-moxibustion. After 62 days of treatment, her motor strength, assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, improved significantly from Grade 2.5 to Grade 4.5. The tolerated weight for dumbbells increased from 0.5 kg to 2 kg, and that for the weight bar increased from 0 kg to 2.07 kg. Pain intensity, measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), decreased from 5 to 1. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score markedly reduced from 81 to 23, and her performance in the Box and Block Test (BBT) improved from -6.24 to -2.82. Additionally, all domains of the Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) reflected significant enhancement in the patient's physical and mental health.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This case suggests that combined treatment with Korean medicine might be an effective tool for treating brachial plexopathy symptoms. However, further studies are required to confirm the efficacy of this treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103160"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143814817","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":"Wet cupping therapy and acupuncture applications in migraine patients: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Rana Celikkol ,&nbsp;Suleyman Ersoy ,&nbsp;Osman Cavus ,&nbsp;Emin Pala ,&nbsp;Velittin Selcuk Engin","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Although there are numerous complementary treatments for migraine, comparisons among themselves are relatively rare. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of wet cupping therapy (WCT) and acupuncture applications in treating migraine patients.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and method</h3><div>This was a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted between 01.03.2022 and 01.10.2023 in the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Center of a tertiary hospital. Patients diagnosed with migraine were included in the study and randomized into three arms. The WCT group received cupping 3 times, once a month. The acupuncture group received 10 sessions of acupuncture once a week. The waiting list was assigned as the control group. VAS and MIDAS scales were applied to all groups at the beginning and the end of the treatment, and the results were compared.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All three groups were similar regarding age and sex. Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores decreased significantly in both treatment groups after the applications, while they remained similar for the same period in the control group. Additionally, the post-treatment values of MIDAS and VAS in both the WCT and acupuncture groups were significantly lower compared to controls, while they were similar when compared in between.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Both of these applications were found to be similarly effective in improving disability status and pain intensity in patients with migraine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103158"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143783047","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":"Code of ethics for mediums and trance channelers","authors":"Siri K. Zemel,&nbsp;Helané Wahbeh","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103159","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103159","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The research objective of this study was three-fold: identify ethical standards currently used by adult, English-speaking mediums/channelers; based on emergent categories, establish a draft framework for ethical standards for the field of mediumship/channeling; and obtain consensus approval of an aspirational code of ethics for mediums/channelers. The first of two surveys engaged 119 mediums/channelers, 74 % of whom lived in the United States. Roughly two-thirds (66 %) of survey participants reported currently adhering to a specific code of ethics in their work as a medium/trance channeler. Participants were asked to upload any ethical standards followed and/or provide feedback on specific elements they believed needed to be included in a code of ethics for the field. Open-ended responses (137 entries) were qualitatively analyzed and organized into specific elements to be included in a first draft code of ethics. The draft code was shared with the same participants in a follow-up survey and received a 91 % approval rating. The development of this code of ethics is a novel milestone in the professionalization journey of mediums/channelers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103159"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143768529","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}