Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)最新文献

{"title":"Inter-Rater Agreement of Biofield Tuning: Testing a Novel Health Assessment Procedure.","authors":"Richard Hammerschlag,&nbsp;Eileen D McKusick,&nbsp;Namuun Bat,&nbsp;David J Muehsam,&nbsp;James McNames,&nbsp;Shamini Jain","doi":"10.1089/acm.2020.0159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Practitioners of Biofield Tuning assess health status of their clients by detecting off-the-body biofield perturbations using tuning fork (TF) vibrations. This study tested inter-rater agreement (IRA) on location of these perturbations. <b><i>Design:</i></b> Three Biofield Tuning practitioners, in randomized order, identified locations of the 4-5 \"strongest\" perturbations along each of 4 sites for the same series of 10 research subjects. <b><i>Setting/Location:</i></b> An Integrative Health and Medicine Center in La Jolla, CA. <b><i>Subjects:</i></b> Adult volunteers with no serious current illness and no prior experience of a Biofield Tuning session. <b><i>Interventions:</i></b> Practitioners used an activated 174 Hz unweighted TF to \"comb\" the same four sites per subject, located on the left and right sides of the base of the spine and the heart. <b><i>Outcome Measures:</i></b> Practitioners identified and vocalized the distance from the body of perturbations along each site. Distances were recorded by a research assistant in the clinic room. No health information related to perturbation sites was discussed with the subjects. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Practitioners reported 6.3 ± 0.6 (mean ± standard deviation) perturbations per combed site per subject, with no significant difference among the raters. The overall level of IRA was low based initially on a first-pass, nonstatistical, analysis of results, with \"agreement\" defined within a tolerance of ±2 inches. In this approach agreement was 33%. More rigorous statistical analysis, including a statistical test using a Monte Carlo approach, strongly supported the conclusion of poor IRA. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> IRA was low despite attempts to balance the real-world practice of Biofield Tuning with the constraints of research. For example, while IRA necessitates multiple assessments of the same subject, no information exists as to whether an initial assessment may affect subsequent assessments. Our study exemplifies the challenges faced when attempting to fit interventions with incompletely understood procedures and mechanisms into conventional research designs.</p>","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"911-917"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2020.0159","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38199763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tribute to Hugh MacPherson, PhD<sup />.","authors":"Richard Hammerschlag,&nbsp;Peter M Wayne","doi":"10.1089/acm.2020.29084.hma","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.29084.hma","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"845-846"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2020.29084.hma","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38268706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Women's Experiences with a Mindful Eating Program for Binge and Emotional Eating: A Qualitative Investigation into the Process of Change.","authors":"Ariel L Beccia,&nbsp;Andrea Ruf,&nbsp;Susan Druker,&nbsp;Vera U Ludwig,&nbsp;Judson A Brewer","doi":"10.1089/acm.2019.0318","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0318","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to reduce engagement in disordered eating behaviors, although how these interventions engender change remains unclear. The objective of this exploratory qualitative study was to describe the experiences and perceived attitudinal and behavioral changes of women participating in a mindful eating program. <b><i>Design:</i></b> Focus group discussions were held with women participating in a community-based mindful eating program for binge and emotional eating. A semistructured interview guide was used to explore participants' conceptualizations of mindfulness-based attitudinal and behavior change, as related to food, eating, and body image. The focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify salient concepts. <b><i>Settings/Location:</i></b> Focus group discussions were held at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) (United States). <b><i>Participants:</i></b> A sample of nine women who were enrolled in the mindful eating program at UMMS for problems with self-reported binge and/or emotional eating participated in this study. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Four themes were constructed that described a process of mindfulness-based behavior change, including (1) Learning Through Self-Awareness, (2) Self-Empowerment, (3) Mindful Choice-Making, and (4) Resilient Self-Care. An overarching description of the participants' perceived attitudinal and behavior changes was developed: \"unforced freedom of choice, emerging from embodied awareness.\" <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> These findings suggest that MBIs reduce may disordered eating behaviors through empowering women to make positive choices about food, eating, and coping, without focusing on weight control. Future research is needed to examine whether these findings replicate in larger and more diverse samples, and how they can be used to optimize and implement eating-specific MBIs in community-based settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"937-944"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2019.0318","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38164795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Curcumagalactomannoside/Glucosamine Combination Improved Joint Health Among Osteoarthritic Subjects as Compared to Chondroitin Sulfate/Glucosamine: Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study.","authors":"Aman Khanna,&nbsp;Sivadasan Syam Das,&nbsp;Thozhuthum Parambil Smina,&nbsp;Jestin V Thomas,&nbsp;Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara,&nbsp;Balu Maliakel,&nbsp;Illathu Madhavamenon Krishnakumar,&nbsp;Ratheesh Mohanan","doi":"10.1089/acm.2020.0128","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0128","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objective:</i></b> A combination of curcumagalactomannosides (CGM) (400 mg) with glucosamine hydrochloride (GLN) (500 mg) was evaluated against a standard dietary supplement combination chondroitin sulfate (CHN) (415 mg)/GLN (500 mg) for their effectiveness in alleviating the pain and symptoms among osteoarthritic subjects. <b><i>Design:</i></b> Randomized, double-blinded and active-controlled study. <b><i>Settings/Location:</i></b> The study was conducted in a hospital-based research center in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. <b><i>Subjects:</i></b> Eighty subjects (38 males and 42 females), with confirmed osteoarthritis (OA) (Class I-III), were randomized into two parallel groups designated as Group I (CGM-GLN) and Group II (CHN-GLN). <b><i>Interventions:</i></b> All the study subjects were supplemented with their corresponding intervention capsules (ether CGM along with GLN or CHN along with GLN), as a single oral dose twice a day, once in the morning 10-15 min before breakfast and again in the evening before dinner, for 84 days. <b><i>Outcome measures:</i></b> A validated treadmill uphill walking protocol was used for the study, and the efficiency of supplementation was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire at the baseline, 28th, and 84th day following the treatment. Mechanism of action of CGM-GLN combination was analyzed by measuring the levels of serum inflammatory markers interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM) at the baseline and 84th day. <b><i>Results:</i></b> CGM-GLN was found to offer significant beneficial effects to pain, stiffness, and physical function of OA subjects compared with CHN-GLN, which was evident from the improvement in walking performance, VAS score, KPS score, and WOMAC score. The efficiency of CGM-GLN was almost double compared with the CHN-GLN by the end of the study (84th day). A significant reduction of inflammatory serum marker levels was observed among CGM-GLN subjects compared with CHN-GLN subjects. Compared with the baseline, CGM-GLN produced 54.52%, 59.08%, and 22.03% reduction in IL-1β, IL-6, and sVCAM levels, respectively. Whereas CHN-GLN group of subjects expressed only 23.17%, 21.38%, and 6.82% reduction in IL-1β, IL-6, and sVCAM levels, respectively. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the potential benefits of CGM-GLN supplements in alleviating the symptoms and function of OA subjects compared with the standard CHN-GLN treatment. The augmented efficacy of CGM-GLN combination could be attributed to the enhanced anti-inflammatory effect of CGM.</p>","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"945-955"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2020.0128","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38166484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Highly Diluted Drugs on Experimental Infection with <i>Trypanosoma cruzi In Vivo</i>: Systematic Review.","authors":"Daniela Cristina Grégio d'Arce Mota,&nbsp;Érika Cristina Ferreira,&nbsp;Fabiana Nabarro Ferraz,&nbsp;Maria Vitória Felipe de Souza,&nbsp;Bruna Lauton Simões,&nbsp;Denise Lessa Aleixo,&nbsp;Jorge Juarez Vieira Teixeira,&nbsp;Silvana Marques de Araújo","doi":"10.1089/acm.2019.0472","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objective:</i></b> To investigate, through a systematic review, the effects of the use of highly diluted drugs in the treatment of experimental infection with <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>. <b><i>Design:</i></b> The authors searched for scientific publications in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, LILACS, and the Google Scholar search system, from 2000 to 2018, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. According to the criteria established, a total of 22 studies were included. <b><i>Settings/Location:</i></b> The study took place at the State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil. <b><i>Subjects:</i></b> Male mice (<i>Mus musculus</i>) or rats (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>). <b><i>Interventions:</i></b> Highly diluted drugs. <b><i>Outcome measures:</i></b> The parameters evaluated in the studies were parasitological, clinical, immunological, histopathological and hematological. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The studies demonstrated that the effects of highly diluted drugs are related to their dynamizations, treatment regimen, and host susceptibility to <i>T. cruzi</i> infection, and depend on the initial information transmitted to the treated organism, making this information the \"model\" of how the treated organism will react. Regardless of the mechanism of action, these drugs provide a decrease in inflammation, which is one of the central phenomena of the pathogenesis of <i>T. cruzi</i> infection. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This systematic review brings out the importance of the <i>T. cruzi</i> infection model as a reliable and valid model for studying different effects produced by highly diluted drugs. Considering the findings and in a broader perspective, this study contributes to considering these drugs as a possible way of dealing with \"treatment\" in general, presents the need to reexamine the biochemical model and develop a model for the effect of high dilutions in general, as well as for the treatment of parasitic infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"866-883"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2019.0472","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38055574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physical Management of Scar Tissue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Carlina Deflorin,&nbsp;Erich Hohenauer,&nbsp;Rahel Stoop,&nbsp;Ulrike van Daele,&nbsp;Ron Clijsen,&nbsp;Jan Taeymans","doi":"10.1089/acm.2020.0109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to describe the status on the effects of physical scar treatments on pain, pigmentation, pliability, pruritus, scar thickening, and surface area. <b><i>Design:</i></b> Systematic review and meta-analysis. <b><i>Subjects:</i></b> Adults with any kind of scar tissue. <b><i>Interventions:</i></b> Physical scar management versus control or no scar management. <b><i>Outcome measures:</i></b> Pain, pigmentation, pliability, pruritus, surface area, scar thickness. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The overall results revealed that physical scar management is beneficial compared with the control treatment regarding the management of pain (<i>p</i> = 0.012), pruritus (<i>p</i> < 0.001), pigmentation (<i>p</i> = 0.010), pliability (<i>p</i> < 0.001), surface area (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and thickness (<i>p</i> = 0.022) of scar tissue in adults. The observed risk of bias was high for blinding of participants and personnel (47%) and low for other bias (100%). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Physical scar management demonstrates moderate-to-strong effects on improvement of scar issues as related to signs and symptoms. These results show the importance of specific physical management of scar tissue.</p>","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"854-865"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2020.0109","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38094052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated Yoga Practice in Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: A Randomized Control Trial.","authors":"K N Srihari Sharma,&nbsp;Subramanya Pailoor,&nbsp;Nidhi Ram Choudhary,&nbsp;Prabhavathi Bhat,&nbsp;Smeeta Shrestha","doi":"10.1089/acm.2019.0250","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0250","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a detrimental noncommunicable disease, which is increasing due to sedentary lifestyle and urbanization in the young population. It is further elevated with risk factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, an increase in triglycerides, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and so on, which manifests as atherosclerotic disease. Yoga-based lifestyle intervention is a noninvasive effective treatment method to control and prevent cardiac risk factors in CAD patients. Yoga has been used in India as a therapeutic method to manage hypertension and other chronic disorders and is fast gaining popularity as an effective means for the alleviation of stress, improvement of fitness, and enhancement of well-being. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of introducing the integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) in a cardiac rehabilitation center in India and understand its usefulness in improving the cardiac function and managing the cardiac risk factors in acute myocardial infarction patients with left ventricular dysfunction. <b><i>Methods and Design:</i></b> Cardiac patients were randomized to a yoga-practicing group (<i>n</i> = 33) and a control group (<i>n</i> = 33). The yoga-practicing group was instructed to attend three supervised IAYT classes 3 days per week for 12 weeks at the hospital yoga center. The control group received standard care that included pharmacologic treatment and the instructions of the cardiologist. The outcome measures were assessed at baseline (T1 = 0) and completion (T2 = 3 months). The primary outcome measure was the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). <b><i>Results:</i></b> There was no statistically significant difference in LVEF (<i>U</i> = 420.500, <i>p</i> value = 0.218) between the two groups. However, the yoga-practicing group showed significant reduction in depression (Cardiac Depression Scale [CDS], <i>U</i> = 71, <i>p</i> value = 0.0), anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAM-A], <i>U</i> = 128, <i>p</i> value = 0.0), and a significant increase in quality of life (QOL) scores (Duke Activity Status Index [DASI], <i>U</i> = 146, <i>p</i> value = 0.0; and metabolic equivalents (METs), <i>U</i> = 136, <i>p</i> value = 0.0) at 3 months compared to control. Overall, the CAD patients practicing yoga showed a favorable profile compared to control individuals on CDS, HAM-A, DASI, and MET outcomes. Control and yoga practicing groups did not differ significantly in the lipid levels. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This study indicated that the integration of yoga practice in a cardiac rehabilitation program is feasible and has no added benefit in improving the cardiac function. However, the addition of yoga to cardiac rehabilitation may be beneficial in reducing depression and anxiety and improving QOL in patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"918-927"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2019.0250","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38104968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neuromodulating Influence of Two Electroacupuncture Treatments on Heart Rate Variability, Stress, and Vagal Activity.","authors":"Kelly Armstrong,&nbsp;Raman Gokal,&nbsp;William Todorsky","doi":"10.1089/acm.2019.0267","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0267","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Although the clinical use of electro-acupuncture is widespread, the neuromodulating influence of various applied frequencies is not well established. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Heart rate variability (HRV), stress and parasympathetic recovery are closely related to health, longevity and vitality in humans. This study was undertaken to determine the influence of different electro-therapy frequencies on various autonomic nervous system markers when applied to a Battlefield Acupuncture Protocol (BFA). <b><i>Design:</i></b> A detailed comparison of autonomic nervous system (ANS) response to low frequency (LF) 2.5 Hz electro-acupuncture and mid-frequency (MF) 15 Hz electro-acupuncture applied by point stimulation to acupuncture points was undertaken on 2 groups of 12 patients. <b><i>Interventions:</i></b> Both LFEA and MFEA were applied to Battlefield Acupuncture protocol, consisting of five (5) key acupuncture ear (auricular) points that isolate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and central nervous system's role in the chronic/acute pain cycle. Evaluations entailed an advanced status of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function through Electro-Cardiogram (ECG) baseline markers reflecting: sympathetic stress (SI); parasympathetic vagal tone (high frequency [HF]) and heart rate variability (HRV = total power). All were repeated subsequent to electro-therapy using 2 separate electro-modalities of low-frequency (2.5 Hz) electro-acupuncture (LFEA) and Mid-Frequency (15 Hz) electro-acupuncture (MFEA). All 24 patients received one (1) elector-acupuncture session. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The autonomic nervous system response to LFEA (2.5 Hz) reflected a statistically significant pre-post improvement in three of the markers collected: heart rate variability (HRV) improved by 61% [<i>p</i> = 0.002]; sympathetic stress (SI) reduced 42% [<i>p</i> = 0.002]; and parasympathetic vagal tone (HF) increased 56% [<i>p</i> = 0.017]. In contrast, MFEA (15 Hz) showed positive but non-significant changes in outcomes in all nervous system markers. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The autonomic nervous system response with LFEA showed a measurable reduction in sympathetic stress with subsequent improvement in vagal tone, and HRV. This positive sympathetic nervous system deactivation from LFEA application shown in this study could have a major impact on other pathologies related to human health and longevity. Further cohort studies are warranted to determine the validity of these outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"928-936"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2019.0267","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38150172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends in Insurance Coverage for Complementary Health Care Services.","authors":"James M Whedon,&nbsp;Serena Bezdjian,&nbsp;Justin M Goehl,&nbsp;Louis A Kazal","doi":"10.1089/acm.2020.0078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Complementary health care professionals deliver a substantial component of clinical services in the United States, but insurance coverage for many such services may be inadequate. The objective of this project was to follow up on an earlier single-year study with an evaluation of trends in reimbursement for complementary health care services over a 7-year period. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The authors employed a retrospective serial cross-sectional design to analyze health insurance claims for services provided by licensed acupuncturists, chiropractors, and naturopaths in New Hampshire (NH) from 2011 to 2017. They restricted the analyses to claims in nonemergent outpatient settings for Current Procedural Terminology code 99213, which is one of the most commonly used clinical procedure codes across all specialties. They evaluated by year the likelihood of reimbursement, as compared with primary care physicians as the gold standard. A generalized estimating equation model was used to account for within-person correlations among the separate claim reimbursement indicators for individuals used in the analysis, using an exchangeable working covariance structure among claims for the same individual. Reimbursement was defined as payment >0 dollars. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The total number of clinical services claimed was 26,725 for acupuncture, 8317 for naturopathic medicine, 2,539,144 for chiropractic, and 1,860,271 for primary care. Initially, likelihood of reimbursement for naturopathic physicians was higher relative to primary care physicians, but was lower from 2014 onward. Odds of reimbursement for both acupuncture and chiropractic claims remained lower throughout the study period. In 2017, as compared with primary care the likelihood of reimbursement was 77% lower for acupuncturists, 72% lower for chiropractors, and 64% lower for naturopaths. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The likelihood of reimbursement for complementary health care services is significantly lower than that for primary care physicians in NH. Lack of insurance coverage may result in reduced patient access to such services.</p>","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"966-969"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2020.0078","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38138988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cautions and Opportunities for Botanicals in COVID-19 Patients: A Comment on the Position of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety.","authors":"Fabio Firenzuoli,&nbsp;Michele Antonelli,&nbsp;Davide Donelli,&nbsp;Gian Franco Gensini,&nbsp;Valentina Maggini","doi":"10.1089/acm.2020.0266","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0266","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)","volume":" ","pages":"851-853"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1089/acm.2020.0266","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38406290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}