Chester Yan Jie Ng, Wen Min Ng, Yan Zhao, Linda LD Zhong
{"title":"The effectiveness of different modes of acupuncture for mature adult females with obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Chester Yan Jie Ng, Wen Min Ng, Yan Zhao, Linda LD Zhong","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of different modes of acupuncture for obesity treatment in adult females. Auricular Acupuncture (AA), Electroacupuncture (EA), and Manual Acupuncture (MA) were the acupuncture methods evaluated. This was accomplished through a systematic review and meta-analysis.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2022 to source for Randomized Control Trials (RCTs). Acupuncture's effect on obesity in adult females was measured using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body weight (BW). To assess the quality of the RCTs, the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool was used. Pooled analysis was done using the Review Manager software and the random-effects model was used to account for heterogeneity of the included studies. The differences between treatment groups were reported as mean differences (MD).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>12 RCTs were selected through screening of results from electronic databases. The acupuncture and control groups each had 375 and 376 participants, respectively. Body parameters such as BMI, WC, and BW were found to be reduced by AA, EA, and MA. BMI had a MD of −0.81 kg/m² (95% CI= −1.26 to −0.37, P=0.0003), WC had a MD of −1.10 cm (95% CI= −2.08 to −0.12, P=0.03), and BW had a MD of −1.37 kg (95% CI= −2.17 to −0.58, P=0.0007).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Acupuncture showed potential benefits to improve BMI, BW, and WC in obese adult females, indicating its efficacy in treatment. However, these findings must be confirmed by higher-quality RCTs in the future.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140406825","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 Viola odorata syrup on hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women: A randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial","authors":"Fatemeh Zahra Karimi , Nahid Nazari , Fatemeh Lotfi , Seyed Reza Mazloom , Mahdi Yousefi , Hassan Rakhshandeh","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.04.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2024.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most common and disruptive symptoms in menopausal women. The present study aimed to assess the effects of <em>Viola odorata</em> syrup on hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women. V. odorata contain flavonoids, saponins, mucilage, alkaloid, vitamin C, magnesium and melatonin.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This triple-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted on 84 menopausal women aged 40–65 years referring to the healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran. Eligible menopausal women received the <em>V. odorata</em> syrup (5 ml) or placebo twice daily for one month. Data were collected before, during, and after the intervention using valid and reliable daily hot flash checklists. Data analysis was performed in SPSS using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman test, and Chi-square at the significance level of 0.05.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>In the first week (before the intervention), the intervention group (<em>V. odorata</em> syrup) and placebo group (control) were homogenous in terms of the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats. The Mann-Whitney U test indicated a significant difference in the duration of hot flashes between the two groups. In addition, significant differences were observed between the <em>V. odorata</em> syrup and placebo groups between the mean duration of hot flashes in the second (P = 0.044), third (P = 0.031), fourth (P < 0.001), and fifth weeks (P<0.001), mean frequency of hot flashes in the third, fourth, and fifth weeks (P < 0.001), and mean intensity of hot flashes in the third (P = 0.003), fourth, and fifth weeks (P < 0.001), as well as night sweats in the second week, the mean values of which were significantly lower in the <em>V. odorata</em> group compared to the control group.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p><em>V. odorata</em> syrup could reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of hot flashes since the second week of the treatment. Therefore, the use of this plant is recommended for the reduction of hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140894602","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":"Effect of Taichi on cognitive function in Breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Mitali Jaideep Naik,, Purusotham Chippala,","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To evaluate the short-term effect of Tai Chi on cognitive function in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy compared to the control group receiving moderate intensity walking.</p></div><div><h3>Design</h3><p>Parallel, single blinded, randomized controlled trial.</p></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><p>Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.</p></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><p>44 female post-surgery Breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.</p></div><div><h3>Interventions</h3><p>Based on the inclusion criteria patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 22 each. Group A received the Taichi intervention and Group B received the moderate-intensity walking for 30 min,5 times per week for 3 weeks.</p></div><div><h3>Outcome measure</h3><p>Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Cognitive scale version 3 (FACT-Cog 3)</p></div><div><h3>Randomisation</h3><p>Each random number was concealed separately within a small opaque envelope (SNOSE) and the subjects were equally allocated into two groups with an allocation of 1:1.</p></div><div><h3>Statistical analysis</h3><p>Independent sample t-test for between the group comparison and paired t-test for within the group comparison.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>There were no statistically significant results found between the groups (p-value > 0.05).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The present randomized controlled trial showed that Tai Chi did not improve the cancer-related cognitive Impairment in Breast cancer patients compared to moderate intensity walking. Clinical Trial Registration number: CTRI/2021/08/036012.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140894600","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 healthcare workforce, working to ‘full-scope of practice’","authors":"Susan Arentz","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140402576","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":"Effect of Curcumin and/or Nigella sativa on bone density and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia","authors":"Farzaneh Usefian , Azizeh Farshbaf- Khalili , Mojgan Mirghafourvand , Majid Mobasseri , Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>This study aimed to assess the effect of Curcumin and/or Nigella sativa on bone density parameters (primary outcome) and quality of life (secondary outcome) in postmenopausal women with primary osteoporosis or osteopenia.</p></div><div><h3>Design</h3><p>Randomized controlled trial with factorial design.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>120 postmenopausal women aged 50–65 years with primary osteoporosis or osteopenia were equally randomized into four groups receiving daily capsules for six months; 1) nanomicellar Curcumin 80 mg, 2) Nigella sativa oil 1000 mg, 3) both, 4) placebo. All groups also received conventional treatments. In addition to the baseline assessment, bone mineral density (BMD), T-score, and Z-score were assessed at six months and quality of life (using the menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire) at two, four, and six months of the interventions.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Five cases were lost to follow-up. No serious side events were reported. After the interventions, significant increases were observed in the femoral neck-BMD within all groups (p<0.01) as well as in the lumbar spine-BMD within the Nigella sativa and nanomicellar Curcumin-Nigella sativa groups (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of bone density parameters and overall quality of life score. In the Curcumin group, vasomotor dimension (adjusted difference −0.90, 95% CI: −1.62 to −0.18) and in the Nigella, sativa group vasomotor (-0.76, −1.50 to −0.03) and physical (-0.61, −1.09 to −0.14) dimensions of quality of life score were significantly better than the placebo group.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The addition of Curcumin, Nigella sativa oil, or their combination does not significantly improve bone density parameters and overall quality of life of postmenopausal women with primary osteoporosis or osteopenia compared to routine treatment, but it can improve vasomotor function of quality of life. We suggest conducting long-term interventions based on the results.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140273968","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":"A pilot study to evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of hydrogen-water bathing on atopic dermatitis in humans","authors":"Ailing Hu , Takuji Yamaguchi , Masahiro Tabuchi , Yasushi Ikarashi , Akio Mizushima , Hiroyuki Kobayashi","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2023.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2023.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Hydrogen molecules, which have excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, are absorbed through the skin and spread hematogenously throughout the body. Hydrogen-water bathing (HWB) is expected to be effective against atopic dermatitis (AD); however, its usefulness remains controversial in humans.</p></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><p>This study aimed to determine whether HWB has the potential to have a therapeutic effect in a pilot study conducted on six patients with AD.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>AD severity was assessed based on the itching intensity per the visual analog scales (VAS) and the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values of the lesions, in addition to macroscopic observations.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>HWB for eight weeks ameliorated the severity of rashes and increased TEWL levels in the trunk/limb areas that could be completely immersed in the bathwater, resulting in ameliorations in severe itching. The specificity of its therapeutic effect was further investigated in one patient who first underwent HWB for four weeks, discontinued it for two weeks, and resumed it for another four weeks. The rashes on the trunk/limb areas visibly improved after four weeks of HWB but worsened again after it was stopped for two weeks, only to improve again after the resumption of HWB for four weeks. The VAS and TEWL values also showed changes that reflected the skin condition.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>These results suggest that HWB may be useful in the treatment of AD. To conclude the effectiveness of HWB for AD, it needs to be supported by randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer study durations in the future.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212958823000848/pdfft?md5=d5161a2a63237d383d64aaf5008a0a5d&pid=1-s2.0-S2212958823000848-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135411318","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}
Ramin Gooruee , Naseh Pahlavani , Vahid Hadi , Saeid Hadi
{"title":"Evaluation of the effect of kefir supplementation on inflammatory markers and clinical and hematological indices in COVID-19 patients; a randomized double-blined clinical trial","authors":"Ramin Gooruee , Naseh Pahlavani , Vahid Hadi , Saeid Hadi","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2023.10.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2023.10.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p><span>The aim of the present study was to evaluation the impacts of kefir intake, as a popular traditional </span>probiotic product on the immune response and the recovery process of COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial<span> on 100 COVID-19 patients selected from Emam Reza Hospital between February 9, 2022, and March 9, 2022. In the intervention group, participants received kefir grains (2–10 %) to milk twice a day (250 ccs each time) for two weeks. Clinical outcomes such as fever, pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, and dyspnea were collected at the beginning and end of the study using a checklist prepared by the research team. Also, each group measured inflammatory indices (ESR & CRP) and hematological factors before and after the intervention.</span></p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The mean age of participants was 47.06 ± 8.90 years. WBC before (p = 0.001), neutrophil<span> before (p = 0.001), lymphocyte before (p = 0.000) and after (p = 0.001) the intervention, hemoglobin before (p = 0.001) and after (p = 0.001) the intervention, CRP before (0.001), ESR after (p = 0.011), and oxygen saturation after (p = 0.001) the intervention had statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.05).</span></p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Overall, two weeks of kefir intakes in COVID-19 patients had beneficial effects on ESR, WBC count, and Oxygen saturation levels. However, this probiotic product did not influence other evaluated indices including CRP and Hemoglobin in COVID-19 patients. More studies are required to clarify this topic.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136128454","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":"Welcome to issue 4 volume 10 of Advances in Integrative Medicine","authors":"S. Arentz","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2024.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140268448","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 topical and oral Boswellia sacra in a patient with Pilonidal sinus disease","authors":"Amaal al Hashmi, Cliff J. d C. Harvey","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.01.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2024.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139635212","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}
Katherine Cheng, Joanna Harnett, Sharon Davis, Lorraine Smith
{"title":"Conversations about cannabis: the supply process in Australia","authors":"Katherine Cheng, Joanna Harnett, Sharon Davis, Lorraine Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2024.01.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2024.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139457547","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}