Felicity Saunders, Jane Vosper, S. Gibson, Rhiann Jamieson, J. Zelin, Janet Barter
{"title":"Compassion Focused Psychosexual Therapy for Women Who Experience Pain during Sex","authors":"Felicity Saunders, Jane Vosper, S. Gibson, Rhiann Jamieson, J. Zelin, Janet Barter","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2202017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2202017","url":null,"abstract":"Genito-Pelvic Pain Penetration Disorder (GPPPD) affects between eight and twenty percent of women. There is recent evidence that compassion focused therapy (CFT) can help those with general health conditions and persistent pain. This study aims to investigate application of CFT techniques to an existing psychosexual therapy group of women with GPPPD and establish an effect size that could be used in a fully powered trial in future. The study took place within a routine clinical setting. Women who attended a group workshop for GPPPD were invited to complete outcome measures pre-and post-intervention. This study was uncontrolled and unpowered, with the aim of evaluating effectiveness of a novel intervention piloted within a sexual health service. Findings indicated that for the majority of the participants, their self- confidence in managing their sexual difficulty improved over the course of the workshop and their pain frequency and intensity reduced over the sessions. A significant improvement in positive and negative self-compassion and confidence was found. Improvements in sexual distress were also found. The negative aspects of self-compassion were significantly correlated with sexual distress at both pre- and post- intervention. Result from this pilot study appear encouraging and indicate that CFT interventions, specifically related to sexual health and pain, warrant further investigation. Further research would benefit from completing a comparison study and using a larger sample and validated measures.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49363930","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":"Correction: Armstrong C. Unity, Continuity, Structure, and Function. The Ongoing Search for a Deeper Understanding of the Many Roles Attributed to Fascia in the Living Human Body - An Osteopathic Perspective. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2021; 6: 16","authors":"Colin Armstrong","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2104035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2104035","url":null,"abstract":"CorrectionCorrection: Armstrong C. Unity, Continuity, Structure, and Function. The Ongoing Search for a Deeper Understanding of the Many Roles Attributed to Fascia in the Living Human Body - An Osteopathic Perspective. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2021; 6: 16Colin Armstrong *Osteopathic Centre, 1732 Voie Aurelienne, 13450 Grans, France; E-Mail: arm.colin@gmail.com*Correspondence: Colin Armstrong; E-Mail: arm.colin@gmail.comAcademic Editor: Nancy Nies Byl Special Issue: The Importance of the Fascia for Manual Osteopathic MedicineOBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine2021, volume 6, issue 4 doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2104035Received: October 14, 2021Accepted: October 14, 2021Published: October 15, 2021","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41354545","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}
Alejandro Ochoa-Ramirez, Evelyn M. Kuhn, Jitsupa Sirinit, Theresa A. Mikhailov
{"title":"Head Circumference as An Indicator of Nutritional Status in Critically Ill Children under 2 Years of Age","authors":"Alejandro Ochoa-Ramirez, Evelyn M. Kuhn, Jitsupa Sirinit, Theresa A. Mikhailov","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2201003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2201003","url":null,"abstract":"Many clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric factors have been used to determine the nutritional status of critically ill children. One of the most commonly used anthropometric measurements in children is the head circumference. It is used to assess their development, and in some instances, can be an indicator of chronic malnutrition. We aim to study the association between head circumference and the nutritional status of critically ill children under 2 years old. We retrospectively obtained the head circumference measurements of 142 patients between 30 days and 2 years of age in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and calculated their head circumference percentile-for-age based on CDC growth charts. We compared the head circumference percentiles to their nutritional status as determined by the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) tool using the Mann-Whitney test. The median head circumference percentile was 9.5 (IQR 1.1-33.5) in patients with malnutrition and 54 (IQR 29.7-81.7) in patients with normal nutritional status (P < 0.001). There was no significant association between nutritional status and other possible confounders such as prematurity, age at admission, sex, and race by multivariate analysis. We found that critically ill patients with chronic malnutrition had significantly smaller head circumference than those with a normal nutritional status. However, it would be necessary to conduct a larger study in order to confidently determine a cutoff point for head circumference percentile that can be used to detect malnutrition in the PICU.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48789569","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":"COVID on the Brain: Anxiety Sensitivity and Mindful Awareness Mediate the Relationship between COVID-19 Obsession and Anxiety","authors":"Emily Beitzell, Purnaja Podduturi, Megan Hook, Amelia Jones, Haley McKeen, Miriam Liss","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2104053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2104053","url":null,"abstract":"The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has produced a global mental health crisis and many individuals have obsessive thoughts and worry about COVID-19 which may, both directly and indirectly, relate to more general anxiety. This study explored anxiety sensitivity and mindful awareness as mediators in the relationship between COVID-19 obsession and general anxiety. College student participants (N = 172) completed the Obsession with COVID-19 scale, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the awareness subscale of the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. Process was used to test a mediational model. We found both anxiety sensitivity and mindful awareness to be significant mediators such that COVID-19 obsession predicted increased anxiety sensitivity which predicted decreased mindful awareness which, in turn, predicted increased general anxiety. These results demonstrate that anxiety about COVID-19 increases awareness and worry surrounding one’s physical and mental state which lead to a decrease in mindful awareness. Our findings identify mechanisms by which worry about COVID-19 may be leading to increased general anxiety and can be used to inform mindfulness interventions to help prevent these negative effects.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47838696","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":"Photobiomodulation for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Summary","authors":"M. Sweeney, Harold Kraft","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2104055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2104055","url":null,"abstract":"Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a highly debilitating chronic pain condition characterized by continuous regional pain disproportionate to duration and intensity of the initial damaging stimulus. In CRPS, abnormal perception, transmission, and modulation of pain by nerve cells and the autonomic nervous system induces extreme increases in perceived pain that may be accompanied by swelling, temperature sensitivity, color fluctuations, and/or skin changes. CRPS most commonly affects the extremities but may spread to other limbs or bodily locations. Since there is currently no cure for the underlying processes that play a role in causing this debilitating condition, therapeutic options seek to mitigate some of the symptoms of CRPS to improve quality of life. A recent systematic review found low-quality evidence of efficacy for all currently available CRPS treatments as well as a lack of consensus about first-line treatments. The pathophysiological complexity of CRPS, in addition to the lack of non-invasive, efficacious therapies for this extremely burdensome pain condition, highlights the vital need to explore novel therapeutic options in both research and clinical practice. Photobiomodulation through the repeated application of high-intensity laser therapy in a clinical setting has been shown to modulate nociception, minimize inflammation, and reduce different types of chronic and acute pain. The present case report describes a clinical protocol using laser therapy for CRPS, presents longitudinal pain scores, and summarizes mechanisms of action supporting the subsequent reduction of CRPS symptoms. After a series of laser treatments, the patient showed marked improvement in range of movement, hypersensitivity, pain, and function. Photobiomodulation through high-intensity laser therapy may represent a promising therapy for individuals affected by CRPS, although further randomized, controlled trials are recommended to evaluate efficacy on different disease-affected areas, assess dose-response relationships, and refine optimal treatment frequency.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42747340","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}
Joanna E Witkin, Ekaterina Denkova, A. Zanesco, Alexandra B. Morrison, Joshua D. Rooks, Jane Carpenter, Michael M. Baime, A. Jha
{"title":"Does Intensive Mindfulness Training Strengthen Sustained Attention? Examining Individual Differences in Mind Wandering during the Sustained Attention to Response Task","authors":"Joanna E Witkin, Ekaterina Denkova, A. Zanesco, Alexandra B. Morrison, Joshua D. Rooks, Jane Carpenter, Michael M. Baime, A. Jha","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2202016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2202016","url":null,"abstract":"Mindfulness training (MT) has been shown to benefit sustained attention and mind wandering. Yet, few studies have examined whether benefits differ as a function of individual differences in mind wandering. The sustained attention to response task (SART) measured task accuracy (A′), response time variability (response time intraindividual coefficient of variation, ICV), and self-reported mind wandering in participants before (T1) and after (T2) a 1-month MT retreat (n = 56), as well as in a control group (n = 32) who received no MT. Only the retreat group demonstrated increased A′ and reduced mind wandering, but no change in ICV, from T1 to T2. Retreat participants demonstrated reduced ICV compared to the control group only when considering individual differences in mind wandering such that retreat participants with higher levels of mind wandering at T1 demonstrated greater benefits to ICV over time. These findings suggest MT may benefit sustained attention, as seen in changes on both objective and subjective measures, and that considering baseline individual differences may increase our understanding of MT’s benefits to sustained attention.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46625147","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":"Sensorimotor Therapy Using Vestibular Stimulation: A Complementary Method for ‘Treatment’ of Developmental Coordination Disorder and a Possible Way to Awaken the Innate Potential for a Physically Active Life","authors":"M. Niklasson, Irene Niklasson, P. Rasmussen","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2201005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2201005","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this commentary is to present characteristics of an “unidentified psychological barrier,” which we previously have speculated to be associated with vestibular underachievement, an overlooked part for the understanding of the resistance to physical activity as well as in the assessments and interventions of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Furthermore, we will discuss the importance of its identification and how to push knowledge forward. A delayed or partly absent sensorimotor development for an otherwise healthy infant might be a substantial sign of an underachieving vestibular system. It is time to act and to take sensorimotor immaturities seriously. In order to come to terms with DCD including physical inactivity there is a need for a grounded approach to sensorimotor development, not the least as a complement to already established ‘treatment’ methods.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42339797","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}
Alice B. Walton, M. Usta, Melissa Wong, W. Hellstrom
{"title":"Metabolic Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction","authors":"Alice B. Walton, M. Usta, Melissa Wong, W. Hellstrom","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2104042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2104042","url":null,"abstract":"Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED), and ED is almost three times more prevalent in men with MetS. Vascular pathologies are a significant factor for the development of ED, and many experts suggest endothelial dysfunction (EnD) as a likely explanation for the association between ED and MetS. Studies also show that corporal vascular and trabecular smooth muscle dysfunction leads ultimately to corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction. Different functional system abnormalities, such as nervous degenerations, hormonal insufficiencies, and metabolic factors (e.g., hyperlipidemia, advanced glycation end products), are also likely involved in the pathophysiological pathways. Autonomic neuropathy is also commonly encountered in patients and animal models of MetS. From another perspective, low testosterone levels may be predictive of MetS. Several studies concluded that components of MetS, such as high blood pressure, obesity, hyperinsulinemia, T2DM, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated C-Reactive protein, and low HDL levels, were all associated with decreased serum testosterone levels. Lifestyle modification, such as exercise and diet, are the first-line treatment for MetS. Studies have found that a 10% weight loss has been shown to significantly increase IIEF-5 scores. Exercise was also shown to increase endothelial-derived NO and decrease oxidative stress, resulting in a lower risk of developing ED in physically active men. Metformin combined with PDE5 inhibitors is a promising treatment approach, although with limited research.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44868778","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":"Experimental Phenomenology as Personalized Health Intervention: A Case Illustration","authors":"L. Lundh","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2201008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2201008","url":null,"abstract":"Experimental phenomenology is the investigation of phenomenological practices and their effects. To engage in a phenomenological practice means to focus attention on aspects of one’s experiences (e.g., sense impressions or body sensations) while adopting a specific kind of attitude (e.g., an explorative attitude) according to some set of instructions. The basic assumption is that the regulation of attention and attitudes involved in such practices may have effects on people’s health and quality of life. The present paper describes the basic principles of experimental phenomenology as an approach to personalized health interventions and illustrates these principles with a case, where a mindful embodiment practice was constructed for an individual suffering from insomnia due to early morning awakenings. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of personalization, the ambition to formulate general conclusions about the effects of phenomenological practices, and the need for measurements not only before and after treatment but also during the treatment process.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49477488","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":"Transcatheter Intracerebral Laser Photobiomodulation Therapy for Treatment of the Consequences of Ischemic Stroke with Distal Atherosclerotic Lesion","authors":"I. Maksimovich","doi":"10.21926/obm.icm.2104036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2104036","url":null,"abstract":"The present research is dedicated to the application of intracerebral laser PBMT for the treatment of the consequences of ischemic stroke. The effectiveness of intracerebral laser PBMT is compared to that of the conservative therapy methods. Recent studies have demonstrated a high potential of laser technology PBMT in the treatment of various ischemic lesions of the brain. A total of 836 patients who had experienced ischemic strokes of different degrees of severity in the period ranging from 6 months to 6 years prior to the treatment were included in the research. The age of these patients ranged between 29 and 81 years (average age: 74.9 years). There were 593 men (70.93%) and 243 women (29.07%). The patients were divided into two groups - the Test Group and the Control Group. The Test Group comprised 511 (61.12%) patients with distal lesions of the intracerebral arteries. These patients underwent transcatheter intracerebral laser PBMT. The Control Group comprised 325 (38.88%) patients with similar distal lesions of the intracerebral arteries. These patients, however, received the conservative treatment. The Test Group patients exhibited good clinical results in 259 (87.21%) cases after small focal strokes, in 94 (60.26%) cases after medium focal strokes, and in 12 (20.69%) cases after macro-focal strokes. The Test Group patients exhibited satisfactory clinical results in 33 (11.11%) cases after small focal strokes, - in 39 (25.00%) cases after medium focal strokes, and- in 22 (37.93%) cases after macro-focal strokes. In the Control Group, 51 (21.07%) patients exhibited good clinical results after small focal strokes, while none of the patients exhibited good results after medium focal strokes and macro-focal strokes. In the Control Group, satisfactory clinical results were exhibited by 60 (24.79%) patients after small focal strokes and 8 (19.05%) patients after medium focal strokes, while none of the patients exhibited satisfactory results after macro-focal strokes. Transcatheter intracerebral laser PBMT is an effective, pathogenetically substantiated method for the treatment of the consequences of ischemic stroke. This method enables the restoration of daily-life activities and cognitive and mental functions, thereby enabling the patients to be fully active in their lives again.","PeriodicalId":74333,"journal":{"name":"OBM integrative and complimentary medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44262812","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}