Han-Gyul Lee , Seungwon Kwon , Hirozo Goto , Makoto Fujimoto , Mosaburo Kainuma , Ki-Ho Cho
{"title":"Successful treatment of chronic migraine unresponsive to triptans with herbal medicines containing Cinnamomi Cortex: A case report","authors":"Han-Gyul Lee , Seungwon Kwon , Hirozo Goto , Makoto Fujimoto , Mosaburo Kainuma , Ki-Ho Cho","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103115","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103115","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by severe, unilateral, pulsating headaches with visual, olfactory, and auditory hypersensitivity, as well as autonomic symptoms. Currently, triptans are the standard treatment, but they often fail to relieve symptoms. Herbal medicines are alternative treatments to overcome these limitations.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>A 73-year-old Asian man visited our hospital with a 5-year history of headache and pulsation of blood vessels in the left temple. He had been using sumatriptan for three years, but it was ineffective. Based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3), he was diagnosed with migraine without aura. The herbal medicines Gyejigayonggolmoryeo-tang (GYT) and Shihogayonggolmoryeo-tang (SYT), both of which contain Cinnamomi Cortex, were prescribed. Forty-two days after starting herbal medicine treatment, the numeric rating scale (NRS) score decreased from 10 to 5, and the frequency of migraine attacks decreased from four times to once weekly. On day 97, the NRS score further improved to 3; therefore, SYT was discontinued. Oreongsan (ORS), an herbal medicine containing Cinnamomi Cortex, was administered only during pain attacks. On day 146, the pain almost disappeared, with an NRS score of 2, and only ORS was prescribed. On day 188, the patient was pain-free without ORS. At the last follow-up (day 456), the patient reported no recurrence of symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Here, we describe a male patient with migraine symptoms unresponsive to triptans who experienced improvement shortly after using herbal medicines containing Cinnamomi Cortex. Therefore, these may be an appropriate alternative to triptans for treating migraine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 2","pages":"Article 103115"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143029439","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":"Unveiling the EEG signatures of extrasensory perception during spiritual experiences: A single-case study with a well-renowned channeler","authors":"D. del Rosario-Gilabert , I. Vigué-Guix","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103114","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103114","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Just as the brain of Albert Einstein is studied in an attempt to understand human intelligence or the bodies of elite athletes are examined to improve muscle strength, the study of people who claim to have spiritual experiences could enrich the investigation of the brain-mind relationship. Although mediumship with deceased people is widely extensively studied in spiritual experiences, we explored a mediumistic experience called “channeling” where the individual connects with a non-corporeal intelligence (NCI) source. To approach this kind of spiritual experience, we considered three hypotheses: the fraud hypothesis (i), the mental pathology hypothesis (ii), and the extrasensory perception hypothesis (iii). In this single case study, the participant was a well-known channeler with nearly three decades of experience connecting with NCIs. Given the EEG results, we rejected the fraud hypothesis, rejected the mental pathology hypothesis, and felt we needed more information to conclude the extrasensory perception hypothesis. The approach of the present single-case study may help researchers design follow-up rigorous protocols for mediumship and channeling studies, which could contribute to a better understanding of the brain during spiritual experiences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 2","pages":"Article 103114"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143029688","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":"Artificial turf: What are the long-lasting effects of artificial turf in our communities and on community health?,","authors":"Shannon Doherty Lyons, Judith T. Zelikoff","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103112","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103112","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 2","pages":"Article 103112"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015426","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":"Thought Field Therapy intervention to improve mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Ayame Morikawa , Masaki Fujimoto , Yuriko Kawagishi , Tomiyo Fukagawa","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103117","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103117","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a significant rise in mental health issues, including a 70 % increase in Japan's suicide rate. Prior studies suggest that Thought Field Therapy (TFT) can rapidly alleviate psychological distress.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the efficacy of online TFT as a quick intervention for psychological problems.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>This study employed the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire, administered to TFT and waitlist (WL) groups before and after the intervention, with the WL group also assessed two weeks prior to the TFT intervention. Follow-up questionnaires were completed by all participants after two additional weeks.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>Subjective Unit of Distress Scale (SUDS) scores for targeted psychological issues were collected across participant groups.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>Ninety-nine participants were randomly assigned to either the TFT intervention group or the WL group.</div></div><div><h3>Interventions</h3><div>Among the 88 participants who completed the TFT intervention, significant reductions were observed in all negative emotions, including stress-induced mental and physical reactions, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and somatic complaints (<em>p</em> < .01).</div></div><div><h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3><div>SUDS scores for 248 issues, including trauma and anxiety, showed a significant decrease from an average of 7 to 1.5 following the TFT intervention (<em>p</em> < .01) with a large effect size (dz = 2.15).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A brief online TFT intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced psychological stress, with sustained effects observed over two to six weeks. This suggests that TFT is an effective accessible tool for mental health and self-care in the absence of face-to-face therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 2","pages":"Article 103117"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015475","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":"Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold: Summary of a Cochrane review","authors":"L. Susan Wieland","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103111","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103111","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 2","pages":"Article 103111"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015479","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 auricular acupressure on comfort, pain and physiological indices after coronary artery angiography: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Fatemeh Asadi , Azim Azizi , Mahdi Biglarkhani , Seyed Kianoosh Hosseini , Younes Mohammadi , Hiva Azami","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103113","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103113","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and Purpose</h3><div>Interventions to prevent bleeding may cause discomfort after coronary angiography. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of auricular acupressure on comfort, pain intensity, and physiological indices after coronary angiography.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Method</h3><div>This two-arm (1:1) randomized controlled trial was conducted at Farshchian Heart Center, Hamadan (western Iran) from April to June 2024. Eighty-four eligible patients were split into intervention (<em>n</em> = 42) and control (<em>n</em> = 42) groups. In the intervention group, Vaccaria seeds were stuck at the right ear's TF2, SF5, HX1, and AT2 points for 2 h post-angiography. The control group received no acupressure. The Numeric Rating Scale measured comfort and pain intensity, and physiological indices such as mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation were measured before acupressure and at 60- and 120-min post-intervention.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Analysis of 83 patients showed no significant demographic and clinical differences between groups pre-study (<em>P</em> > 0.05). Significant pain intensity and comfort improvements were noted in the intervention group compared to the control group at 60 and 120 min post-intervention (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, significant reductions in heart rate and mean arterial pressure were observed in the intervention group (<em>P</em> < 0.05), while no significant differences were found in arterial oxygen saturation between the intervention and control groups (<em>P</em> > 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Auricular acupressure, an easy, simple, low-cost complementary method, could help in pain management, increase comfort after coronary angiography, and positively affect mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Nurses can play a crucial role in applying these techniques, ensuring proper implementation, and educating patients about their benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 2","pages":"Article 103113"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143069466","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":"Social media on children's diets: A review","authors":"Dr. Angie Lillehei","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103110","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103110","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 2","pages":"Article 103110"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015432","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":"Efficacy and safety evaluation of Boswellia serrata and Curcuma longa extract combination in the management of chronic lower back pain: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study","authors":"Anuradha Majumdar , Mungara Anjaneya Venkata Vara Prasad , Satish Reddy Gandavarapu , Kalakata Sudhir Kumar Reddy , Varun Sureja , Dharmeshkumar Kheni , Vishal Dubey","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2024.103099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2024.103099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a major condition that leads to disability and reduced quality of life (QoL). This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel <em>Boswellia serrata</em> and <em>Curcuma longa</em> combination (CL20192) for the treatment of CLBP.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>Participants with CLBP were randomised to receive either a 300 mg CL20192 capsule (n = 45) or placebo capsule (n = 45) once daily for 90 days. Efficacy was evaluated using the Descriptor Differential Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores for pain, unpleasantness, and disability. Additionally, the 36-item short form questionnaire was used for QoL evaluation. Frequency of painkiller use, serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers (tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), and phytoconstituents (total boswellic acids and curcuminoids) were determined. Therapy satisfaction was assessed using the Physician and Patient Global Assessment Scales.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All randomised participants completed the study. CL20192 supplementation significantly reduced Descriptor Differential Scale pain, unpleasantness, and Oswestry Disability Index scores compared with the placebo group (p < 0.001 for all parameters). Critical QoL scores greatly improved in the CL20192 group. Serum phytoconstituent levels were elevated in the CL20192-treated group. This group demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammatory biomarker levels (tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), confirming efficacy in abating CLBP compared with the placebo. Moreover, therapy satisfaction scores were significantly high in the CL20192-treated group, and intervention with CL20192 was well tolerated.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Intervention with 300 mg CL20192 capsules, containing a novel combination of <em>Boswellia serrata</em> and <em>Curcuma longa</em> extracts, effectively alleviated pain, unpleasantness, and disability in patients with CLBP compared with the placebo. This outcome was consistent with a decrease in serum inflammatory markers and improved therapy assessment scores.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 1","pages":"Article 103099"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142866109","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}
Moon-Young Ki , Han-Gyul Lee , Seungwon Kwon , Woo-Sang Jung , Sang-Kwan Moon
{"title":"Herbal prescription Siryeongtang and acupuncture treatment for gait disturbance due to idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: A case report","authors":"Moon-Young Ki , Han-Gyul Lee , Seungwon Kwon , Woo-Sang Jung , Sang-Kwan Moon","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2024.103097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2024.103097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), characterized by unexplained normal-pressure hydrocephalus, primarily presents with symptoms such as gait disturbances, cognitive impairment, and urinary incontinence. Currently, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage via shunting is the only effective treatment for iNPH.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>A 56-year-old Asian woman visited our hospital with a worsening gait disturbance and a history of recurrent falls over the past 2 years. She was diagnosed with iNPH using brain computed tomography. Notably, her gait disturbances continued to worsen despite undergoing a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. The patient was prescribed the herbal medicine Siryeongtang along with acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Subsequently, the changes in gait balance and speed were objectively assessed during the treatment period using the WIN-TRACK evaluation tool. The symmetry index for step length improved after 42 days of treatment, reaching 111 %, 71 %, and 37 % on days 15, 24, and 42, respectively. The symmetry index for step speed also decreased from 77 % on day 15 to 5 % on day 42. In addition, the time required to walk 5 m was reduced to 13, 10, and 9 s on days 15, 24, and 42, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Treatment with Korean medicine improved gait balance and speed in a patient with iINPH whose symptoms did not improve following shunt surgery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 1","pages":"Article 103097"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142873166","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":"Masthead page","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1550-8307(25)00013-8","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1550-8307(25)00013-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 1","pages":"Article 103122"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182386","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}