Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing最新文献

{"title":"The effect of scalp nerve block combined with inhaled peppermint essential oil on postoperative pain in patients undergoing supratentorial tumor resection","authors":"Zijian Zhou ,&nbsp;Hai Tang ,&nbsp;Mengyu Liu ,&nbsp;Zhijie Ji ,&nbsp;Min Yang ,&nbsp;Jinfeng Shen ,&nbsp;Maoyin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103320","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Post-craniotomy headache (PCH) is a common clinical occurrence after craniotomy. Scalp nerve block (SNB) is often used for pain control during craniotomy. Peppermint essential oil (PEO) may alleviate pain under certain injury conditions by activating TRPM8, but its application after craniotomy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects, and potential interaction, of scalp nerve block (SNB) and inhaled peppermint essential oil (PEO) aromatherapy on postoperative pain, quality of recovery, and perioperative indicators in patients undergoing supratentorial tumor resection.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>One hundred patients scheduled for elective supratentorial tumor resection were randomly assigned to a control group (C group), scalp nerve block group (SNB group), peppermint essential oil group (PEO group), or combined SNB+PEO group (25 patients each). Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores, State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores, Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores within 48 h postoperatively, extubation time, PACU stay duration, postoperative rescue analgesia rate, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant interaction was found between SNB and PEO on pain scores at any time point. The Ropivacaine Group (SNB &amp; SNB+PEO) showed significantly lower NRS scores than the Saline Group (C &amp; PEO) immediately after extubation (0.5 [0.0, 2.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0, 4.0], <em>P</em> = 0.013). The Aromatherapy Group (PEO &amp; SNB+PEO) had significantly lower scores than the Placebo Group (C &amp; SNB) at 24 h postoperatively (1.0 [0.8, 2.0] vs. 2.5 [1.0, 4.0], <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). SNB was a protective factor against intraoperative hypertension. PEO significantly improved QoR-15 scores at 48 h.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The combination of SNB and PEO provides effective postoperative analgesia, improves recovery quality, reduces intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations, and promotes early rehabilitation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103320"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928150","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 effect of hand reflexology massage on pain and hemodynamic parameters during endotracheal suctioning: A double-blind, randomized, 2 × 2 crossover study","authors":"İlkin Yilmaz,&nbsp;Gizem Göktuna,&nbsp;Gülşah GÜROL Arslan,&nbsp;Dilek Özden","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103313","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103313","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Endotracheal suctioning is a common painful procedure in intensive care. Reflexology massage, a non-pharmacological pain relief method, hasn't been studied in this context.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To examine the effect of reflexology hand massage and placebo hand massage on pain and hemodynamic parameters related to endotracheal suctioning.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>This double-blind, randomized, 2 × 2 crossover controlled trial included 24 intubated ICU patients. Massage was applied to both hands of individuals in the reflexology and placebo groups for 10 min on each hand, for a total of 20 min over two consecutive days. Data were collected using the Patient Demographic Information Form, Hemodynamic Parameters and Pain Monitoring Form, Critical Care Pain Observation Tool. The data were analyzed using pairwise and triple group comparison tests for dependent and independent groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The pain scores of patients who received reflexology on the first and second day before, during, and after suctioning were 0.33±0.65, 1.83±1.02, 0.00±0.00, and 0.58±0.90, 1.66±1.07, 0.00±0.00, respectively. The pain scores of patients who received placebo massage on the first and second day were recorded as 1.83±1.46, 3.58±0.99, 0.66±0.65, and 1.33±0.98, 3.08±0.79, 0.75±0.62, respectively (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05 between and within groups). After suctioning, a decrease in diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate, along with an increase in tidal volume, was observed in the reflexology group (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Hand reflexology massage is effective in alleviating suction-related pain and improving the patient's hemodynamics. Hand reflexology massage may be recommended for reducing suction pain, providing comfort, and improving hemodynamic instability in intensive care patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103313"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979384","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":"From observed improvement to causal inference: Methodological challenges in a self-acupressure trial for multiple sclerosis","authors":"Fei-Yi Zhao ,&nbsp;Yan-Mei Wang ,&nbsp;Qiang-Qiang Fu ,&nbsp;Jia-Yi Zhu ,&nbsp;Jie Qian","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103338","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103338","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103338"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146108252","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":"Integrative nursing: A whole health perspective","authors":"Mary Jo Kreitzer ,&nbsp;Mary Koithan","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103316","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103316","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103316"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146127288","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":"Integrative Korean medicine intervention incorporating angelica gigas for refractory chronic fibromyalgia: A clinical case report","authors":"Suna Park ,&nbsp;Jiwon Lee ,&nbsp;Sun Jun Wang ,&nbsp;Min-Jeong Kwon ,&nbsp;Ga Yeong Yi ,&nbsp;Jaekyoung Lee ,&nbsp;Yoon Jae Lee ,&nbsp;Su Won Lee ,&nbsp;In-Hyuk Ha","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103340","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103340","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by abnormalities in central nervous system pain processing. presenting with widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment, and affects an estimated 2–4 % of the global population. This case report describes a woman in her 50 s with a 10-year history of fibromyalgia who had undergone various pharmacological treatments, including opioid analgesics, at multiple institutions without meaningful symptomatic improvement. The patient presented with persistent widespread pain, nocturnal pain–related sleep disturbance, and functional impairment, and had been maintained on long-term buprenorphine patch therapy and multiple oral analgesics. During a 6-week inpatient course of integrative Korean medicine treatment (including herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, Chuna manual therapy, and physical therapy), both objective and subjective improvements were observed in pain severity (Numeric Rating Scale), quality of life (EuroQol 5-Dimension), functional measures (WOMAC, SPADI, ODI, NDI), and joint range of motion. A blood stasis pattern, likely associated with prolonged analgesic use, was identified as the primary pathological mechanism, and the core therapeutic strategy was centered on a blood-activating prescription incorporating high-dose Angelica gigas (Korean Danggui). The observed improvements suggest that integrative Korean medicine may serve as a viable adjunctive option for refractory fibromyalgia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103340"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146183282","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":"Evaluating the sound magnetic balance intervention in a randomized controlled trial: Effects on psychological distress, somatic pain, and physiological arousal","authors":"Chun Yiu Lam ,&nbsp;Lap Kwan Leung Cyrus ,&nbsp;Kin Kit Li Ben","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Sound Magnetic Balance Intervention (SMBI) is a novel integrated therapy that combines sound healing using Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks, with magnetic meridian massage based on principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This randomized controlled trial (RCT) was the first to evaluate the combined effects of these modalities on psychological, physiological, and somatic outcomes. Forty-six university students (mean age = 20.65, SD = 2.24) with mild psychological distress were randomly assigned to receive SMBI as the intervention condition or one of two active controls, either calming music or an audio story. Compared to both control groups, SMBI significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress (<em>p</em> &lt; .001, η² = 0.31–0.55), stagnation (<em>p</em> &lt; .001, η² = 0.37), acupoint pain (<em>p</em> &lt; .001, η² = 0.63–0.82), heart rate, and systolic blood pressure (<em>p</em> &lt; .001, η² = 0.50–0.58), and also improved life satisfaction and spiritual well-being (<em>p</em> &lt; .001, η² = 0.14–0.37). Delivered in three 30–35 min sessions and requiring only 10–15 h of practitioner training, SMBI is a non-invasive, cost-effective intervention with potential for use in clinical and community settings. Future research should investigate physiological and neurobiological mechanisms (e.g., cortisol, EEG) and examine integration with other TCM modalities. These findings position SMBI as a promising multisensory approach within the field of integrative mental health care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103323"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078336","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":"Integrative Unani pharmacotherapy in chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease: A case report","authors":"Sabiha Fatima ,&nbsp;Shaik Asgar","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that often requires prolonged proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. It frequently coexists with <em>Helicobacter pylori</em>-associated gastritis. Limitations of long-term PPI use, symptom recurrence, and patient adherence have increased interest in complementary medical systems. Unani system of medicine (USM) conceptualizes reflux-like disorders as disturbances of digestion and gastric temperament, emphasizing mucosal protection and physiological restoration.</div></div><div><h3>Case Presentation</h3><div>A 39-year-old man with a four-year history of severe GERD presented with persistent heartburn, regurgitation, epigastric burning, nausea, and sleep disturbance. Baseline investigations revealed <em>H. pylori</em> associated pangastritis in endoscopy, and Grade II–III reflux on barium swallow. After a brief course of conventional triple therapy for background gastritis, a structured 12-week Unani regimen was initiated as the primary intervention for GERD. Lifestyle corrections and dietary counseling were also provided. PPI therapy was discontinued after two weeks. Clinical symptoms, quality of life scores, imaging findings, and safety parameters were monitored.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The patient demonstrated progressive and clinically meaningful improvement with marked reduction in GERD-HRQL scores. Follow-up endoscopy showed descriptive improvement in gastric mucosa, and barium swallow findings normalized by week 14. The laboratory test results remained normal, and no adverse effects were reported. Clinical improvement was maintained at six-month follow-up without PPI use.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In this case, a structured Unani regimen administered after short-term conventional therapy was temporally associated with improvement in chronic GERD symptoms and functional outcomes. Although gastritis improved descriptively, post-treatment <em>H. pylori</em> eradication was not assessed. Given the inherent limitations of a single-patient design, controlled clinical studies are required to confirm the efficacy and elucidate the mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103319"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146013263","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":"Effects of acupressure on dyspnea and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Çiğdem Ergin ,&nbsp;Songül Karadağ","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103326","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103326","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acupressure on dyspnea and anxiety levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</div></div><div><h3>Design and Methods</h3><div>A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 patients diagnosed with COPD. Acupressure was applied to the LI4, HT7, LU1, and ST36 points in the intervention group. Data were collected using the Modified Borg Scale (MBS), Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MRC), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Acupressure significantly reduced both dyspnoea and anxiety in the intervention group (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). A moderate positive correlation was observed between dyspnea and anxiety scores.</div></div><div><h3>Practice Implications</h3><div>Acupressure may serve as a nurse-led, non-pharmacological intervention to manage symptoms in patients with COPD. Further studies are recommended to examine its broader clinical utility.</div></div><div><h3>Relevance to Clinical Practice</h3><div>Acupressure has the potential to enhance patient comfort and contribute to holistic symptom management in patients with COPD.</div></div><div><h3>Patient or Public Contribution</h3><div>While patients did not participate in the study design, data analysis, or manuscript writing, they actively engaged in the intervention by voluntarily accepting acupressure and consistently applying it at home. Their adherence provided insight into the feasibility of acupressure in real-world settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103326"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078444","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":"Corrigendum to “Clinical Efficacy of Guishao Shengxue Decoction in the Treatment of Pediatric Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial” [EXPLORE 21 (2025) 103277]","authors":"Wei Wang ,&nbsp;Xiaofei Xie ,&nbsp;Shengtao Cui ,&nbsp;Lin Xue","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103322","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103322"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038762","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":"Acupuncture as a complex adaptive system: A theoretical reflection on therapeutic effectiveness and emergent healing","authors":"Salvador Quiroz-González ,&nbsp;Erika Elizabeth Rodríguez-Torres","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103339","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103339","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Scientific understanding of acupuncture has advanced rapidly, yet its therapeutic effectiveness remains only partially explained by linear or reductionist models centered on neural or biochemical pathways. This article offers a theoretical reflection and conceptual proposal framing acupuncture as a complex adaptive system, in which healing emerges from dynamic interactions among practitioner, patient, and context. Drawing on systems theory and complexity science, the therapeutic process is conceptualized through an Input–Process–Output–Feedback (IPOF) model that captures biological, psychological, and relational dimensions of regulation. Within this framework, effectiveness is understood as an emergent property arising from recursive feedback loops that integrate sensory, cognitive, and emotional signals into systemic coherence. Acupuncture’s outcomes thus transcend isolated mechanisms, reflecting the co-regulation of two living systems that evolve together across treatment sessions. This perspective encourages a shift from reductionist causality toward emergent functionality, in which effectiveness results from configuration rather than isolation. By reframing acupuncture within a systems-based paradigm, this reflection invites a more integrative understanding of therapeutic emergence, bridging experimental mechanisms with real-world effectiveness and fostering a science of dynamic healing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103339"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146127182","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}