Global advances in integrative medicine and health最新文献

{"title":"A Survey of Manual Therapy Techniques and Protocols Used to Prevent or Treat Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients During and after Radiation Therapy.","authors":"Kadesh Daniels, Anindita Chanda, Lucas Berry, Arpita Edke, Parth Patel, Andy Wun, Gintas P Krisciunas","doi":"10.1177/27536130241263349","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241263349","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Authoritative research demonstrating efficacy of traditional dysphagia therapy for Head & Neck Cancer (HNC) patients is limited. A 2019 survey reported speech-language-pathologists (SLPs) have started using Manual Therapy (MT) to prevent or rehabilitate dysphagia in HNC patients. This application of MT is supported theoretically but no research has established efficacy. Further, specific contents of MT protocols employed in this setting remain unknown.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>In the absence of HNC dysphagia specific MT protocols, this study aimed to better understand MT protocols employed by SLPs to prevent and treat dysphagia in HNC patients during and after Radiation Therapy (RT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An internet-based questionnaire for SLPs who use MT with HNC patients was developed and tested for face/content validity. It was sent to SLPs practicing in the USA, twice, through three national listservs (ASHA-SIG13, ASHA-SIG3, University of Iowa Voiceserv).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 64 respondents, 44 completed the survey. Of the 44, 15(34%) provided proactive MT during RT, 37(84%) provided proactive MT after RT (to prevent dysphagia), and 44(100%) provided reactive MT after RT (to treat dysphagia). 40(91%) were trained in MT through a CE course and 25(57%) had HNC-specific MT training. The most common MT techniques were laryngeal manipulation (LM) and myofascial release (MFR). During RT, MT protocols are gentler and highly tailored, with simple home programs of mild intensity. After RT, protocols are more regimented and aggressive, but still highly customized, with more diverse home programs of at least moderate intensity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MT for HNC patients lacks a standard protocol or approach, but MFR and LM, or components of those techniques, are used most frequently. Given the frequency with which MFR and LM are employed to treat dysphagia during and post-RT, and the lack of empirical evidence supporting or refuting their use, a collaboratively designed RCT is warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of MT for HNC patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241263349"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11189010/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141433565","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":"Mindfulness-Based Group Medical Visits: Strategies to Improve Equitable Access and Inclusion for Diverse Patients in Cancer Treatment.","authors":"Kavita K Mishra, Ivan C Leung, Maria T Chao, Ariana Thompson-Lastad, Christine Pollak, Anand Dhruva, Wendy Hartogensis, Michael Lister, Stephanie W Cheng, Chloe E Atreya","doi":"10.1177/27536130241263486","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241263486","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are supported by clinical practice guidelines as effective non-pharmacologic interventions for common symptoms experienced by cancer patients, including anxiety, depression, and fatigue. However, the evidence predominately derives from White breast cancer survivors. Racial and ethnic minority patients have less access to integrative oncology care and worse cancer outcomes. To address these gaps, we designed and piloted a series of mindfulness-based group medical visits (MB-GMVs), embedded into comprehensive cancer care, for racially and ethnically diverse patients in cancer treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>As a quality improvement project, we launched a telehealth MB-GMV series for patients undergoing cancer treatment, delivered as four weekly 2-hour visits billable to insurance. Content was concordant with evidence-based guidelines and established MBIs and adapted to improve cultural relevance and fit (eg, access-centered, trauma-informed, with inclusive communication practices). Program structure was adapted to address barriers to participation, with ≥50% slots per series reserved for racial and ethnic minority patients. Intake surveys incorporated a demographic questionnaire and symptom assessments. Evaluations were sent following the visits.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our first ten cohorts (n = 78), 80% of referred patients enrolled. Participants were: 22% Asian, 14% Black, 17% Latino, 45% non-Latino White; 65% female; with a median age of 54 years (range 27-79); and 80% had metastatic cancer. Common baseline symptoms included lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, and worrying. Most patients (90%) attended ≥3 visits. On final evaluations, 87% patients rated the series as \"excellent\"; 81% \"strongly agreed\" that they liked the GMV format; and 92% would \"definitely\" recommend the series to others. Qualitative themes included empowerment and connectedness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Telehealth GMVs are a feasible, acceptable, and financially sustainable model for increasing access to MBIs. Diverse patients in active cancer treatment were able to participate and reported high levels of satisfaction with this series that was tailored to center health equity and inclusion.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241263486"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11185011/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141422086","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":"Evaluation of a New Integrative Health and Wellness Clinic for Veterans at the San Francisco VA Health Care System: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.","authors":"Francesca M Nicosia, Natalie Purcell, Dan Bertenthal, Hajra Usman, Ilana Seidel, Sarah McGrath, Caitlin Hildebrand, Brittan McCarthy, Karen H Seal","doi":"10.1177/27536130241260034","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241260034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The Integrative Health and Wellness Clinic (IHWC), established in 2019 at the San Francisco VA Health Care System, is an interdisciplinary clinic consisting of a medical provider, dietician, physical therapist, and psychologist trained in complementary and integrative health (CIH) following the VA Whole Health model of care. Veterans with complex chronic conditions seeking CIH and nonpharmacologic approaches are referred to the IHWC. This study evaluated the clinic's acceptability and feasibility among veteran patients and its preliminary impact on health and wellbeing, health-related goals, and use of CIH approaches.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mixed methods were used to assess patient-reported outcomes and experiences with the IHWC. Participants completed surveys administered at baseline and 6-months and a subset completed a qualitative interview. Pre- and post-scores were compared using t-tests and chi-square tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-five veterans completed baseline and 6-month follow up surveys. Of these, 13% were women; 24% < 50 years of age, and 44% identified as racial/ethnic minorities. Compared to baseline, at 6 months, there were significant (<i>P</i> < .05) improvements in overall health, physical health, perceived stress, and perceived helpfulness of clinicians in assisting with goal attainment; there was a trend toward improved mental health (<i>P</i> = .057). Interviews (n = 25) indicated satisfaction with the interdisciplinary clinical model, support of IHWC providers in goal attainment, and positive impact on physical and mental health. Areas for improvement included logistics related to scheduling of multiple IHWC providers and referrals to other CIH services.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Results revealed significant improvement in important clinical domains and satisfaction with interprofessional IHWC clinic providers, but also opportunities to improve clinic processes and care coordination. An interdisciplinary clinic focused on CIH and Whole Health is a feasible and acceptable model of care for veterans with complex chronic health conditions in the VA healthcare system.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241260034"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11168048/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141312425","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":"Integrative Group Visits for Sleep Disturbance: A Brief Report.","authors":"David Kiefer, Katherine Eby, Jennifer Zaborek, Ellen Goldstein","doi":"10.1177/27536130241260016","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241260016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is limited research on the efficacy of group visits using integrative treatment modalities and for people whose chief concern is sleep disturbance. This quality improvement project delivered integrative health content in group visits for people with self-reported sleep disturbance.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe an integrative group visit for sleep disturbance, explore the evaluation process for several outcomes, and report on lessons learned.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A group visit series involved 4 sessions over the course of 1 month, covering integrative health topics such as acupuncture, mind-body therapies, and herbal medicine. Participants were administered 2 validated surveys (PSQI and PROMIS-29) at baseline and 1- and 3-months post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 4 4 week GV series,18 people participated in-person pre-pandemic, and 5 people participated virtually during the pandemic. The mean age for the entire cohort was 63.2 years. Of the 23 participants, 18 (78%) attended all 4 GV sessions within their series.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Preliminary findings from this study suggest that an integrative group visit approach to sleep disturbance is feasible yet would benefit from a more rigorous investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241260016"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11155354/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141285566","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":"Building the Case for Telehealth Yoga for Minors With Arthritis and Chronic Pain: A Perspective.","authors":"Steffany Moonaz","doi":"10.1177/27536130241255696","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241255696","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Childhood arthritis has a prevalence of around 300 000 US children. It has no cure, and is just one of many juvenile conditions associated with pain, fatigue, and a lifetime of medical care. Yoga has demonstrated effectiveness in improving symptoms and quality of life for adults with arthritis. Yoga can be easily adapted according to affected joints, movement limitations, and changes in disease status. It combines movement that is necessary for arthritis management and maintaining physical function, along with mental practices that help to address common psychosocial comorbidities such as depressive symptoms and affect. No research has been published on the effects of yoga in minors with arthritis and chronic pain. In-person yoga may not be feasible for this population because many patients live hours from their specialist healthcare. As telehealth becomes more acceptable, online yoga may offer an additional tool for symptom management and improved quality of life in juvenile chronic pain conditions. Clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the safety, feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of teleyoga in the whole-person management of juvenile arthritis and chronic pain conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241255696"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11491878/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142486105","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":"Race-Based Differences in the Response to a Mindfulness Based Integrative Medical Group Visit Intervention for Chronic Pain.","authors":"Angela C Incollingo Rodriguez, Benjamin C Nephew, Justin J Polcari, Veronica Melican, Jean A King, Paula Gardiner","doi":"10.1177/27536130241254793","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241254793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic pain is one of the most common drivers of healthcare utilization and a marked domain for health disparities, as African American/Black populations experience high rates of chronic pain. Integrative Medical Group Visits (IMGV) combine mindfulness techniques, evidence-based integrative medicine, and medical group visits. In a parent randomized controlled trial, this approach was tested as an adjunct treatment in a diverse, medically underserved population with chronic pain and depression.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine race-based heterogeneity in the effects of a mindfulness based treatment for chronic pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This secondary analysis of the parent trial assessed heterogeneity of treatment effects along racialized identity in terms of primary patient-reported pain outcomes in a racially diverse sample suffering from chronic pain and depression. The analytic approach examined comorbidities and sociodemographics between racialized groups<b>.</b> RMANOVAs examined trajectories in pain outcomes (average pain, pain severity, and pain interference) over three timepoints (baseline, 9, and 21 weeks) between participants identifying as African American/Black (n = 90) vs White (n = 29) across both intervention and control conditions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At baseline, African American/Black participants had higher pain severity and had significantly different age, work status, and comorbidity profiles. RMANOVA models also identified significant race-based differences in the response to the parent IMGV intervention. There was reduced pain severity in African American/Black subjects in the IMGV condition from baseline to 9 weeks. This change was not observed in White participants over this time period. However, there was a reduction in pain severity in White participants over the subsequent interval from 9 to 21 week where IMGV had no significant effect in African American/Black subjects during this latter time period.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Interactions between pain and racialization require further investigation to understand how race-based heterogeneity in the response to integrative medicine treatments for chronic pain contribute to the broader landscape of health inequity.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241254793"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11100402/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141066255","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":"Using the Values of Integrative Medicine to Create the Future of Healthcare.","authors":"Amy Locke","doi":"10.1177/27536130241253607","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241253607","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ideal future state of health for the world's populations requires a cohesive model that considers the synergistic roles of communities, public health and healthcare. This future state reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic and lifestyle approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. This is the definition of Integrative Medicine. We are far from this idealistic future. Healthcare costs continue to escalate while life expectancy declines. We train our future healthcare professionals in our current disease-based model that prioritizes siloed pharmaceutical and interventional approaches over whole person prevention focused care. As healthcare professionals, we disregard our capacity to influence the leading risk factors for disease-related death and disability which include health behaviors, social, economic and environmental drivers. Burnout is high and rising. Rapid shifts are expected in the coming years as the current system's cost becomes untenable. We need a sustainable future for healthcare. That means we must figure out how to re-center on the patient, on a full spectrum of prevention and treatment, and how to influence public and community health. The future model must focus on health behaviors at its foundation, use systems thinking, be environmentally sustainable, and approach health from a population lens. The future will require an ability to consider complex systems approaches to health and wellbeing that include a focus on both the patient and the healthcare team. Research strategies must not only consider effectiveness but also reach, implementation and institutionalization in a multi-dimensional capacity that looks at whole person health as an outcome while looking at individuals in the context of where they live and work.  The Integrative Medicine community has an opportunity to help lead the way to a sustainable and health focused future.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241253607"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11095182/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140946612","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":"Immediate Effects of Integrative Health and Medicine Modalities Among Outpatients With Moderate-To-Severe Symptoms.","authors":"Samuel N Rodgers-Melnick, Roshini Srinivasan, Rachael L Rivard, Francoise Adan, Jeffery A Dusek","doi":"10.1177/27536130241254070","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241254070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients seeking integrative health and medicine (IHM) modalities often present with multiple physical and psychological concerns. Research supports IHM's effectiveness for addressing symptoms over longer time periods. However, few studies have evaluated immediate outpatient effects.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study describes pre-encounter patient-reported outcome (PRO) clusters and examines the immediate clinical effectiveness of IHM modalities on pain, stress, and anxiety among outpatients with moderate-to-severe symptoms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective review was conducted of encounters among adults presenting to outpatient acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, integrative medicine consultation, or osteopathic manipulation treatment between January 2019 and July 2020. Encounters were included if patients reported pre-encounter pain, stress, or anxiety ≥4 on a numeric rating scale (NRS). Outcome analyses included random effects for patient and provider using a mixed model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across 7335 clinical encounters among 2530 unique patients (mean age: 49.14 years; 81.0% female; 75.9% White; 15.8% Black/African American), the most common pre-encounter PRO clusters were pain, stress, and anxiety ≥4 (32.4%); pain ≥4 only (31.3%); and stress and anxiety ≥4 (15.6%). Clinically meaningful single-encounter mean [95% CI] changes were observed across all modalities in pain (-2.50 [-2.83, -2.17]), stress (-3.22 [-3.62, -2.82]), and anxiety (-3.05 [-3.37, -2.73]).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients presenting to outpatient IHM with moderate-to-severe symptoms most often presented with pain, stress, and anxiety ≥4 on the NRS. Multiple IHM modalities yielded clinically meaningful (≥2 unit) immediate reductions in these symptoms. Future research measuring immediate and longitudinal effectiveness is needed to optimize the triage and coordination of IHM modalities to meet patients' needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241254070"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11088302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140912438","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":"Implementation Readiness and Initial Effects of a Brief Mindfulness Audio Intervention Compared With a Brief Music Control During Daily Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Pilot Study.","authors":"David Victorson, Kavita K Mishra, Joseph Sauer, Grace Langford, Carly Maletich, Bruriah Horowitz, Christina Sauer, Samir V Sejpal, John Kalapurakal","doi":"10.1177/27536130241249140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/27536130241249140","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The most common and debilitating side effects of radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PC) are fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression. Previous research has reported palliative benefits from certain self-management approaches, such as mindfulness meditation.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To develop, pre-test, and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and initial benefit of brief, audio-based mindfulness delivered during daily RT for PC compared to a relaxing music control.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following intervention development, participants were randomized to either brief guided mindfulness audio recordings or a relaxing music control during daily RT. A pre-testing phase was first conducted to determine optimal program start time, length, and content most associated with retention. A final program (n = 26) was delivered daily, starting on day one of week 2 of RT and lasting 4 consecutive weeks. Feasibility was defined as ≥70% on enrollment rate, retention, and audio program adherence. Acceptability was measured with a 12-item post-study survey. A secondary focus compared between group changes on patient reported outcomes of fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and related outcomes at baseline and follow up assessments. Descriptive statistics and general linear models were used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 76% (n = 38) of approached men enrolled. Pre-testing retention rates were <70% while the final program's retention rate was 89%. The majority of acceptability criteria were met in both conditions, with relatively higher ratings in the mindfulness arm. Compared to music controls, mindfulness participants demonstrated significantly less uncertainty intolerance at 4-weeks (<i>P</i> = .046, d = .95); and significantly lower fatigue scores (<i>P</i> = .049, d = 1.3) and lower sleep disturbance scores (<i>P</i> = .035, d = 1.1) at the 3 months follow up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The final intervention met feasibility and acceptability criteria. Pre-testing refinements played a key role for optimal program delivery and retention. Audio-based mindfulness delivered during RT for PC hold potential to help decrease RT-related physical and emotional side effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241249140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11062214/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140866893","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":"A Qualitative Examination of Perceptions of Mindfulness Among Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Americans: Implications for Cultural Adaptation of Mindfulness-Based Interventions.","authors":"Andrea Haidar, Maria Kalantzis, Meghana Nallajerla, Alyssa Vela, Shelley R Adler, Inger Burnett-Zeigler","doi":"10.1177/27536130241247074","DOIUrl":"10.1177/27536130241247074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are well-positioned to address health disparities among racial-ethnic minority communities, given their focus on stress reduction and potential for greater accessibility and acceptability than conventional mental health treatments. Yet, there are currently no peer-reviewed studies of MBIs in an Arab, Middle Eastern, or North African (MENA) American sample. Addressing this gap in the literature is critical for advancing integrative health equity, given the high burden of stress and high prevalence of stress-related health conditions among Arab/MENA Americans.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present study sought to explore perceptions of mindfulness among Arab/MENA Americans and identify potential cultural adaptations to MBIs for this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>4 focus groups were conducted with 26 Arab/MENA American adults who had participated in an introductory mindfulness workshop. Participants were asked about their experience learning mindfulness skills, the usefulness of mindfulness for problems they face, the alignment of mindfulness with their cultural values and practices, and suggestions for adapting mindfulness programs. Qualitative coding of focus group session transcriptions was conducted to identify themes in the data.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The participants in this study described experiencing high levels of stress and identified micro- and macro-level stressors related to their Arab/MENA American identity, including discrimination, exclusion, historical and intergenerational trauma, and protracted sociopolitical crises in their heritage countries. They viewed mindfulness as a potentially useful approach to coping with stress. At the same time, participants identified aspects of mindfulness that could be adjusted to better align with their cultural values and experiences. Potential adaptations to MBIs for Arab/MENA Americans were identified based on suggestions from participants and issues they raised while discussing cultural strengths, stressors they face, and perceived barriers and facilitators to engaging in mindfulness practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":73159,"journal":{"name":"Global advances in integrative medicine and health","volume":"13 ","pages":"27536130241247074"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11036918/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140856014","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}