Advances in integrative medicine最新文献

{"title":"Exploring enactivism: A scoping review of its key concepts and theorical approach","authors":"Jacson Nesi ,&nbsp;Roberta Lemos dos Santos ,&nbsp;Michele Benites","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.08.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.08.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enactivism is a theoretical perspective in the fields of philosophy of mind and cognition that emphasizes the active role of the organism in constructing and giving meaning to the world around it. It highlights that the mind is not merely a passive receiver of information from the environment, but rather an active participant in the creation of meaning and experience. The idea for this article arises from the uncertainty surrounding the distinction of practice, principles, and osteopathic concepts, which have been raised by various regarding osteopathic principles: the anachronism of their distinction, whether the role of these principles could still be accepted as a guide for osteopathy in the contemporary world, whether the biopsychosocial model could be the basis for a proposal to redefine them and even whether the use of these principles could do more harm than good. Objectives: Facilitate access to essential definitions and concepts related to enactivism, and make the understanding of these elements more accessible, as they play a crucial role in the reconceptualization of osteopathy. Materials and methods: The work was elaborated as a scoping review, using the PRISMA-P 2020 Checklist.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"11 4","pages":"Pages 184-190"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143174405","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":"Development, validation, and feasibility of a tele-yoga module for patients with hypothyroidism","authors":"Savithri Nilkantham ,&nbsp;Harini K.N. ,&nbsp;Amit Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hypothyroidism is a deleterious non-communicable disease adversely affecting the metabolism, growth, and development of the individual. Yoga is a form of mind-body medicine that has shown a positive effect in managing the symptoms of hypothyroidism. This study aims to test the acceptability and viability of a Scientific Yoga Module <strong>(SYM)</strong> specific to hypothyroidism as a telehealth concept<em><strong>.</strong></em></div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>The study was conducted in three phases. The first phase was to design and develop a yoga module post a thorough review of ancient and modern literature, suitable for the tele-mode of teaching and learning perspective; the second phase was to validate the module by the subject matter experts whereby 40 experts from various fields of yoga science, yoga therapy, and yoga research reviewed and endorsed the yoga module; in the third phase, a feasibility test through tele-mode for hypothyroidism patients living in the local community who volunteered to take part in the study was conducted with a sample size of 15 patients, were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. The live session of tele-yoga intervention was imparted for 60 minutes; 6 days a week; for 2 weeks by a certified yoga therapist with over five years of online teaching experience. A pretested questionnaire was used to assess the regularity and ease of practice; efficacy of the module; construct satisfaction and any adverse effects.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>A total of 31 practices were suggested for hypothyroidism by the researchers. Out of which 24 practices were approved by the experts to be formulated as <strong>SYM</strong> with a content validity ratio (CVR) cut-off value ≥ 0.29. For the feasibility study, the mean age of the participants was 41.6±9.6 years. The result of the feasibility study was calculated in percentage whereby scores closer to 100 % determine better feasibility of the module practice. The feasibility questionnaire was divided into 3 sections and shows the average percentage scores obtained within each section as follows – (a) ‘Regularity and ease of practice’ (93.3 %); (b) ‘Efficacy of the module’ (91.1 %); (c) ‘Construct satisfaction’ (81.9 %). The overall feasibility of the module obtained an average of 88.7 % with no adverse event attributed to the study.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first attempt that designs, validates, and tests the feasibility of <strong>SYM</strong> as an adjunct therapy suitable for telehealth for treating hypothyroidism along with conventional medicine and found to be effective, safe, and feasible. It recommends tele-yoga as a potential tool for digital health for long-term practices to lead a healthy life. This study may be used as a preliminary study to further conduct large randomized controlled trials as a telehealth concept.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 57-66"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479276","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":"Novel methodological approaches to support four recognized challenges in integrative medicine mixed methods research design","authors":"Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>There are many challenges to undertaking mixed methods research (MMR) in integrative medicine (IM). Four that are recognized are: how to improve 1) planning; 2) evidence scope; 3) individual insight; and 4) data integration. Six methodological approaches conceived by the author to support these challenges in certain designs are shared for consideration.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>This commentary shares six novel methodological approaches that may facilitate diverse challenges in IM MMR. A “How to use” section is included for each approach.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Following a brief introduction to IM MMR, four challenges are highlighted and six novel methodological approaches that may mitigate them are presented: 1. The Feasibility, Reach-out, Acceptability, Maintenance, Efficacy, Implementation, Tailorability (FRAME-IT) framework; 2. The Biological, Psychological, Social, Environmental, Behavioural (BPSE-B) framework; 3. Post Intervention Perceived Impact Measures (PIPIMs); 4. Positive Autoethnography (PosAE) 5. Differential Qualitative Analysis (DQA); 6. The STAIR* (Sample sizes, Traceability, Article numbers, Intervention numbers, References*) checklist.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Each approach responds to different IM MMR challenges. 1. FRAME-IT is conceived to plan early-stage interventions. 2. BPSE-B supports a wide-ranging evidence scope. 3. PIPIMs support individual insight and are designed to bridge the quantitative-qualitative divide. 4. Positive Autooethnography supports individual insight in the form of personal experiences; 5. DQA is a qualitative methodology that encourages the integration of quantitative results. 6. STAIR* encourages the integration of quantitative reporting in intervention reviews.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Six novel approaches are proposed to support IM MMR planning; evidence scope; individual insight; and data integration. Theoretical implications and practical usage of each are elucidated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 81-86"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479279","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":"Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) as adjuvant therapy in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial","authors":"Ivan Coelho Machado ,&nbsp;Inalda Facincani ,&nbsp;Davi Casale Aragon ,&nbsp;Juliana da Silva Coppede ,&nbsp;Ana Maria Soares Pereira ,&nbsp;Fabio Carmona","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Treating childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (CINS) with steroids can cause significant side effects. <em>Curcuma longa</em> L. (turmeric, Zingiberaceae) has anti-inflammatory activity and may decrease the need for steroid use.</div></div><div><h3>Design/methods</h3><div>Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot trial with patients with CINS (1–18 years old) from a single university pediatric nephrology center, receiving a hydroethanolic extract of <em>C. longa</em> rhizomes or placebo for up to 12 months. The primary outcome was the cumulative dose of steroids, and the secondary outcome was the number of relapses. This study is registered in the Clinical Trials Registry (Full ethical details will be provided post-blind review).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Between February 2018 and January 2019, 40 patients were recruited and randomized, and 36 were analyzed (18 in <em>C. longa</em> and 18 in placebo groups) in an intention-to-treat analysis. There was no difference between <em>C. longa</em> and placebo in the statistical analysis regarding the cumulative dose of steroids (mean difference: 22.8 mg/m²/month, 95 %CrI − 181.9, 210.6) or the incidence of relapses (mean difference: − 0.01 relapses/patient/month, 95 %CrI − 0.08, 0.06). There were no serious adverse events.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Compared to placebo, <em>Curcuma longa</em> did not affect the cumulative dose of steroids or the number of relapses in children with CINS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 87-92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479167","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":"The effect of laughter yoga’s on perceived stress and anxiety levels in nursing students: Randomized controlled trial","authors":"Hakime Aslan,&nbsp;Abdurrahman Akçin,&nbsp;Hanife Çeli̇k","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Nursing education is a dynamic process that involves theoretical and applied teaching. The intense stress and anxiety experienced by students in this process negatively affect the learning processes and increase the likelihood of making mistakes. Non-pharmacological techniques have been widely used in recent years in the management of this stress. Laughter yoga is one of the new methods that are starting to be used to reduce stress and anxiety levels.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study was conducted to determine the effect of laughter yoga on perceived stress and anxiety levels in nursing students.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The research is a randomized controlled trial with pre-test-post-test control group. This study was conducted in January-June 2022 at the Faculty of Nursing of a university in eastern Türkiye. The population of the study consisted of all students studying in the first year of the nursing faculty. The sample consisted of 103 students determined by simple random sampling method. Students were assigned to the experimental and control groups by simple randomization method. Students in the experimental group were given laughter yoga for 2 sessions per week (every 3 days, eight sessions in total), and the control group did not have any intervention. We used the “Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students” and “Condition Anxiety Scale”. Statistical analysis of the data of the research was performed using the IBM SPSS 22 package program. Statistical methods used to evaluate data: t-test in independent groups was used to compare the mean scores of the experimental and control groups, and paired sample t-test was used for intra-group comparisons.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After the laughter yoga intervention, the post-test measurements of the intervention group and the control group showed a significant difference, and there was a significant decrease in perceived stress (p&lt;0.001) and anxiety scores (p&lt;0.001) before and after the laughter yoga intervention compared to the control group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Laughter yoga was found to be effective in reducing the levels of perceived stress and anxiety students perceived. Therefore, laughter yoga can be used as one of the effective strategies in reducing students' nursing education stresses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 49-56"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479275","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":"Vitality and metabolic responses to integrated naturopathy and yogic interventions among metabolic syndrome – A protocol for randomized controlled trial","authors":"R. Shishira ,&nbsp;H.C. Shashikiran ,&nbsp;K.J. Sujatha ,&nbsp;Prashanth Shetty","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) refers to a collection of interrelated physiological, biochemical, clinical, and metabolic variables that significantly raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. This trial aims to assess the effect of Naturopathy and Yogic Interventions on Vitality and Metabolic responses among patients with MetS.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This trial is a single Centre Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) and will be conducted at Nature Cure and Yoga Centre in the Southern part of India. Enrolled subjects with MetS, who fulfilled National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP ATP III Criteria], will be randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio into Intervention and control groups. The Intervention group will receive Intensive Naturopathy and Yoga Intervention whereas the control group will receive a lifestyle advice during the initial consultation. The primary outcome will be measured by Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Blood Pressure Measurement, Biochemical Analysis, Anthropometric Measurement, Vitality Questionnaire, and Framingham Risk Score (FRS) which will be performed at the baseline and after 10 days of intervention and follow up will be taken at the 60th day.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>A larger clinical trial will be possible as a result of this study's contribution to the understanding of the effectiveness of Yogic Interventions and Integrated Naturopathy for MetS and associated risk factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 67-74"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479277","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":"Prescribing pattern and treatment outcomes in upper respiratory tract infection: A comparative study of allopathic and unani medicine","authors":"Faiza Nasir ,&nbsp;Malik Itrat ,&nbsp;Radhika Kunnavil","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and objective</h3><div>Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) rank among the top three diagnoses in outpatient settings. URTIs patients currently have access to treatment choices encompassing traditional and allopathic medications. The study aimed to elucidate the prevailing treatment practices in Unani and allopathic systems for URTIs, while concurrently assessing their efficacy in alleviating its symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted at NIUM Hospital and a primary health centre in Bengaluru between June to December 2022. 200 eligible patients (100 per facility) were selected through purposive sampling. Prescriptions were analysed using established WHO and customized Unani indicators. Treatment efficacy was assessed using the WURSS-21 and Jackson scales. Information from the patients was gathered through interviews after obtaining written informed consent.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.68 in allopathy and 3.87 in Unani medicine. Antihistamines and antibiotics were the most prescribed drugs in allopathy, with cetirizine and amoxicillin dominating the list. In Unani Medicine, <em>Arq Ajeeb</em> and <em>Nuqoo-e-Nazla</em> were commonly prescribed. Only 10.8 % of prescribed drugs in allopathy were from WHO list of essential medicines. Statistically significant improvement (p&lt;0.001) in URTIs symptoms was observed with both Unani and allopathic treatments.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings indicates that average number of drugs per prescription in both facilities were above the recommendations. In allopathy, overprescribing of antibiotics and antihistamines, and deviation from EDL, was observed, while polypharmacy was noted in Unani prescriptions. Findings indicate that both Unani and allopathic treatments are effective in alleviating the URTIs symptoms, as reported by patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 36-43"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479273","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":"Clinical outcomes in chronic conditions: An observational case series at a US complementary medicine student clinical facility employing the MYMOP outcome measure","authors":"Parker Pracjek ,&nbsp;Alastair C. Gray ,&nbsp;Denise Straiges","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective/purpose</h3><div>This study reports on a case series of clients using individualized homeopathy on a wide variety of health complaints seen in cases from a supervised teaching clinical setting between 2017 and 2020 at the Academy of Homeopathy Education. This teaching clinic sees self-selecting clients of all ages, and cases were taken by faculty or advanced students and subsequently managed by advanced students under supervision.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The cohort study evaluated n = 85 cases using the patient-generated outcome measure, the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP). Average MYMOP values for initial and final consultations were analyzed for degree of change across the intervention period. Principle</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Scores from initial consultation to last follow up showed a positive change in 80.23 % of cases. Clinically significant improvements were seen in all profile areas. The average profile score at last reported follow up of all cases showed a reduction in symptom severity of.56, and the greatest change between first and last average MYMOP scores showed a reduction of 1.2 after the homeopathic intervention. The greatest positive change was seen in Skin (1.88) followed by Respiratory (1.83) and Digestive-related (1.71) complaints.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Clinically significant improvement in physical and psychological health is found across a diverse population of people with a wide variety of long-term conditions. These results suggest that individualized homeopathic care in a teaching clinic setting proved to be valuable for complex chronic health problems, and that further similar, confirmatory research is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 44-48"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479274","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":"Sauna bath reduces blood pressure in healthy adult volunteers: A meta-analysis of RCTs and quasi-experimental studies","authors":"Kanimozhi K.K ,&nbsp;Poornima Ravi ,&nbsp;Venugopal Vijayakumar ,&nbsp;Maheshkumar Kuppusamy","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.09.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.09.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Modifiable risk factors cause over 70 % of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Sauna bath is an effective treatment for patients with hypertension which is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death. Objective of the current review is to evaluate the current evidences available on the effect of sauna bath and blood pressure on normotensive individuals.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Electronic databases (such as PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) were searched since inception until January 2021. Studies investigating the effect of sauna bath on blood pressure in healthy volunteers were included. Primary outcome measures were changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood (DBP) pressure after sauna bath. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95 % CIs were calculated using a random-effects model.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>We included six studies conducted among 76 normotensive participants (average age of 29 – 33 years) with the duration of 10 mins to 1 hour and a follow up of 7 days to 3 months. Among the included studies, the pooled effect of SBP changes does not favour sauna bathing (SMD: 0.23, 95 % CI: −0.96 to 1.43, I²:83 %, p&lt;0.01) whereas DBP changes showed a positive effect of sauna bath among the healthy volunteers with considerable heterogeneity (SMD: −1.01, 95 % CI: --2.75 to 0.73, I²:83 %, p&lt;0.01). Subgroup analysis on duration and frequency of bathing also revealed the same findings.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Sauna bath, could be considered as a promising tool for primary prevention of hypertension and related cardiovascular ailments and thus achieving the global target of non-communicable disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 2-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143478516","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":"Six patterns of homeopathy use in integrative oncology: A qualitative study (TOUCAN)","authors":"Guillaume Roucoux ,&nbsp;Clair-Antoine Veyrier ,&nbsp;Laurence Baumann-Coblentz ,&nbsp;Jacques Massol ,&nbsp;Jean-Claude Karp ,&nbsp;Jean-Philippe Wagner ,&nbsp;Olivier Chassany ,&nbsp;Martin Duracinsky","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.09.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.09.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Cancer patients’ quality of life has improved with supportive care which encompasses diverse conventional therapies along with complementary and alternative medicine. Since little is known about the use of homeopathy, this article aims to describe its applications in women with non-metastatic breast cancer in France.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Patients, general practitioner-homeopaths, and oncologists were included based on defined criteria, utilizing a theoretical sampling strategy. Due to evidence and ethics, homeopathy was considered only as a complementary in integrative oncology (IO). Data were collected until saturation was reached through individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The analysis employed inductive thematic techniques. Inclusion, interviewing, and coding occurred iteratively. Data are reported according to the COREQ guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-eight patients (all women, aged 32–76), 13 oncologists (8 men, aged 30–62), 6 homeopaths (5 women, aged 29–68), 2 gynecologists and 1 nurse (all were women, aged 29–65) participated. The core theme “Supportive Care as a Whole” echoed the concept of “healthcare bricolage” or “the processes by which individuals use multiple resources to address health concerns.” Homeopathy was intended to 1) complement conventional and supportive care, 2) be complemented with other supportive therapies, 3) substitute for supportive drugs, 4) replace other supportive therapies, 5) not be suitable to replace all supportive therapies, and 6) be the only supportive option available in some situations.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>There are several ways of using homeopathy that depend on other conventional and supportive therapies a patient uses. Clinicians should more frequently evaluate the diverse uses of homeopathy in supportive care.</div></div><div><h3>Take-home message</h3><div>There are six practical reasons why breast cancer patients turn to homeopathy within the scope of integrative oncology. These reasons depend on the representation of care as a whole, along with the availability, accessibility, effectiveness, benefits, and effort required by this and other therapies – both conventional and supportive – used by the patient.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"Pages 27-35"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479270","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}