Alternative therapies in health and medicine最新文献

{"title":"Implementation of Head of Bed Elevation Using Adjustable Bed and Its Effects on Sleep: A Pilot Randomized Trial.","authors":"Sangeun Lee, Joo Hyun Park, Jin Youp Kim, Seok-Won Park, Hong-Bum Shin, Bo Hae Kim","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although mild head of bed elevation (HBE) is a proven method to reduce obstructive sleep apnea, there is no study to apply mild HBE in daily life using an adjustable bed.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to explore the applicability of mild HBE using an adjustable bed in daily life by investigating adverse events and discomforts induced by mild HBE. This pilot randomized trial additionally investigated the objective effects of mild HBE on sleep using polysomnography (PSG).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Pilot randomized controlled trial. With a two-tailed alpha of 0.05 and a power of 0.95, the minimum number of participants for each group; control group slept on flat bed and study group slept on bed with mild HBE on follow-up PSG; was calculated to be 12. Considering a 20% follow-up loss, we enrolled a total of 32 participants (16 participants for each group).</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Dongguk University, Ilsan hospital.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>A total of 37 individuals complained of subjective sleep disturbance in the Republic of Korea, 32 of whom met the inclusion criteria between September 2021 to July 2022. 23 participants completed the study and participants were randomly assigned into two groups.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>A mild HBE of 7.5 degrees using an adjustable bed was implemented. PSG results and questionnaires were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was no difference in the proportion of adverse events between groups after post-intervention which was adjusting mild HBE on study group. Changes in sleep satisfaction from baseline to post-intervention showed no significant difference between groups either. However, changes in respiratory distress index (RDI) (F = 6.088, 95% CI, 17.0% to 26.4%; P = .023) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (F = 5.542, 95% CI, 13.6% to 23.5%; P = .029) were significantly different.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mild HBE is an implementable method for changing sleep posture without definitely causing discomfort or worsening sleep satisfaction. Since an easily applicable way to implement mild HBE using an adjustable bed in daily life reduces RDI and AHI in both subjects complaining of sleep disturbance and obstructive sleep apnea, it can be an alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"122-128"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140954990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic Potential of Cinnamaldehyde Nanoparticles as an Antihyperuricemic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Agent Against Monosodium Urate Crystals-Mediated Gouty Arthritis in BALB/c Mice.","authors":"Mubin Mustafa Kiyani, Sarah Sadiq, Maria Sarfraz, Maisra Azhar Butt, Hamza Rehman, Hassan Burair Abbas, Mir Arif Hussain Talpur, Syed Ali Imran Bokhari","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gout is a metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of urate crystals in joints due to a high concentration of uric acid in the blood. This leads to inflammation and joint swelling. Gout is traditionally treated with drugs that lower the uric acid level and reduce inflammation, but these treatments can have adverse effects. Phytopharmaceuticals, such as cinnamaldehyde nanoparticles (CANPs), have gained popularity as gout treatments. The study aimed to explore the anti-gout and antioxidant activities of CANPs in gouty mice.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Cinnamon bark was used to synthesize CANPs, which were then characterized. The in vivo study was conducted using BALB/c mice, randomly divided into six groups (n = 6 per group). The control group received a normal diet, while the MSU group was injected with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals into the ankle joint to induce a disease model. The allopurinol group was treated with the standard drug allopurinol, serving as a positive control. Three treatment groups were administered different doses of CANPs; the experimental drug at concentrations of 5 ppm, 10 ppm, and 20 ppm, respectively. CANPs were subsequently administered orally to the mice. CANPs were studied for their impact on liver function, renal function, lipid profile, total protein, antioxidant activity, and blood parameters.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CANP administration had a favorable effect on gouty mice, according to the findings. CANPs dramatically lowered uric acid, urea, and creatinine concentrations, demonstrating their potential for treating hyperuricemia and gout. CANPs improved liver function, lipid profile, antioxidant activity, and blood parameters.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study suggests that CANPs derived from cinnamon exhibit anti-gout and antioxidant properties in gouty mice. These findings support the potential use of CANPs as a natural and alternative treatment for gout. Further research is needed to explore the therapeutic applications of CANPs in treating gout in humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"34-41"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143439826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Herbal Interventions for Obesity: A Review of Unani Medicinal Herbs.","authors":"Dr Saliha, Mohammad Naseem Khan, S M Abbas Zaidi, Ehsan Ahmad","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity and overweight as excessive or aberrant fat accumulation that poses an increased health risk. Despite this oversimplified definition, obesity is a complex illness caused by a persistently positive energy balance, or when dietary energy intake surpasses energy expenditure. Extra energy is transformed into triglycerides, which are then stored in depots of adipose tissue that enlarge, resulting in weight gain and an increase in body fat. The escalating global prevalence of obesity, impacting more than two billion individuals, necessitates innovative and holistic approaches in public health. This review paper aims to evaluate the potential of medicinal herbs in obesity management by systematically examining their mechanisms of action, including enzyme inhibition, appetite suppression, and modulation of metabolic processes, to propose an integrative, safer, and holistic approach to enhance current strategies for obesity treatment. A comprehensive search of literature was conducted in PubMed, Google scholar, and Science Direct. Search was conducted using the terms - \"Unani herbs\", obesity management, Siman Mufrit. This review paper highlights critical evaluation of contemporary obesity management strategies, emphasizing need for safer and more sustainable alternatives. Insights from Unani medicine contribute to a holistic understanding of obesity, paving way for an exploration of medicinal herbs and their mechanisms of action. Enzyme inhibition, appetite suppression, and modulation of metabolic processes emerge as key factors in anti-obesity effects of medicinal herbs. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores potential of medicinal herbs as promising contributors to global obesity management drawing insights from epidemiological data and traditional Unani medicine. By combining traditional wisdom with modern research, a more holistic and individualized approach can be achieved. The proposed integrative strategy advocates for further research, collaboration, and shift towards natural and culturally sensitive healthcare practices to address obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"42-47"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143121704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Katie Emerson Discusses the Health Benefits of Cognizin® Citicoline.","authors":"Katie Emerson, Sheldon Baker","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>No Abstract Available.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":"31 3","pages":"6-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143963082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Infertility.","authors":"Özlem Şahan, Rabia Atilla, Rukiye Höbek Akarsu, Sevda Karakaş","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study was conducted to determine the complementary and alternative treatments used by infertile women in Turkey.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A descriptive and cross-sectional design was used in the study conducted at the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Center (ARTC) of a university hospital in Istanbul city. The study sample consisted of 153 women diagnosed with infertility, who volunteered to participate in the research. Study data were collected using a 'Participant Information Form,' created by the researchers, and the 'Complementary and Alternative Medicine Approaches Scale.'</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>It was determined that 30.1% of the women included in the study used complementary and alternative medicine methods in addition to infertility treatments. The level of education had a statistically significant effect only on the mean manipulative approaches sub-dimension score, the place of residence on the mean cognitive behavioral sub-dimension score, and the type of infertility and the duration of treatment on the mean biological approaches sub-dimension score (P < .05). However, the mean score of the total Complementary and Alternative Medicine Approaches Scale did not affect the mean scores of other sub-dimensions (P > .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study determined that the complementary and alternative medicine methods commonly used by women include biological and cognitive behavioral approaches. Women who had received secondary infertility treatment and had a long period of infertility were found to use complementary and alternative medicine methods at a higher rate.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"10-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142881047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Cold Chest Pack on Cardiac Output, Stroke Volume, and Total Peripheral Resistance: A Counterbalanced, Randomized-Crossover Trial in Healthy Individuals.","authors":"H L Nanjeshgowda, Geetha B Shetty, K J Sujatha, Prashanth Shetty","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cold chest pack (CCP) is a hydrotherapeutic technique used to improve cardiorespiratory outcomes, however, their effects on the cardiovascular system remain substantiated by credible scientific research. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate how CCP affects central hemodynamics in healthy volunteers.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This study was a randomized, open-label crossover trial with 24 healthy male participants between 18 and 26 years of age. The study employed a counterbalanced design in which participants were randomized to either a dry chest pack (DCP) or a CCP for 20 minutes, followed by a 2-day washout period during which they were switched to the opposite phase. Central hemodynamics and heart rate variability were measured at baseline, throughout the session, and ten minutes following the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings showed a significant decrease in cardiac output (P = .03) with an increase in total peripheral resistance (P = .004), mean arterial pressure (P < .001), systolic blood pressure (P < .001), and diastolic blood pressure (P < .001) during the use of a CCP. These changes were retained after 10 minutes, except cardiac output (P = .32), and a persistent decrease in heart rate (P < .001) during and after the CCP use. These changes were not observed in DCP and the stroke volume was not impacted in either group (P > .05). A significant increase in mean RR intervals (P < .001) and the percentage of differences between adjacent normal heartbeats (NN intervals) that are greater than 50 milliseconds (P < .01) was observed only after the application of a CCP.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study showed the application of a CCP for 20 minutes affects central hemodynamics and heart rate variability; these results may be considered when using CCP therapeutically.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"20-25"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143121705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of Non-Pharmacological Distant Energy Therapy in Adults with Self-Perceived Mental and Psychological Health Problems: Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Alice Branton, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Dahryn Trivedi, Sambhu Mondal, Snehasis Jana","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Biofield therapies like Reiki, blessing, and healing touch are non-invasive techniques that aim to enhance well-being-mental, emotional, and physical. They can be conducted both in-person and remotely. However, a literature review found no evidence of distant/remote blessing therapy's effectiveness in improving mental health symptoms in adults.</p><p><strong>Primary study objective: </strong>To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of non-pharmacological distant blessing (biofield energy healing) therapy for psychological and mental health management.</p><p><strong>Methods/design: </strong>One hundred seventeen participants with psychological symptoms were studied. On days 0 and 90, the biofield (blessing) therapy group (n = 38) received two sessions of distant blessing energy therapy, each lasting about 5 minutes. A sham control group (n = 40) received similar treatment from a sham practitioner to nullify the baseline responses, while a control group (n = 39) received no intervention. Participants were assessed using a standard psychological questionnaire and safety parameters.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>A placebo-controlled, three parallel groups, single-center, double-blinded, and randomized controlled trial.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Adult human subjects (male and female) with one or more psychological symptoms.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>Distant (remote) biofield energy healing/blessing therapy.</p><p><strong>Primary outcome measures: </strong>Psychological questionnaires scoring.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Perceived psychological symptoms/scores (fatigue/tiredness, sleep disturbances, stress, cognitive impairment, loss of memory, mental restlessness, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, confusion, lack of relationships, and social behaviors) were significantly improved in the blessing group compared to control and sham control groups (P < .0001). Study intervention did not show any study-related adverse effects in all three groups throughout the trial.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings from this study suggest that distant (remote) blessing therapy/biofield energy healing session(s) significantly improved psychological and mental health-related symptoms without affecting safety concerns and improved overall health and quality of life. Therefore, the present study recommends a larger-scale intervention study to further investigate various health outcomes and this therapy's underlying mechanisms of action.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>The trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry - India (Reg. no. CTRI/2022/07/043736) dated 05/07/2022.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"26-33"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143121706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Precede-Proceed Model-dominant Nursing Combined With Nutrition Support for Patients Discharged After Hepatobiliary Surgery With T Tube.","authors":"Ye Yang, Youhong Wang, Qi Chen, Jingjing Qiu, Liping Zhu","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Context: &lt;/strong&gt;Hepatobiliary disease requires surgical treatment and T-tube installment postoperatively, and discharged patients' usually still have a T tube. Little nursing care is available in China for patients after discharge, resulting in postdischarge complications. Also, the incidence of nutritional risk in patients with hepatobiliary surgery is high.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;The study aimed to investigate the benefits of a precede-proceed model-dominant nursing combined with nutritional support for patients discharged after hepatobiliary surgery with a T tube, so as to improve their prognoses and promote their rehabilitation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Design: &lt;/strong&gt;The research team conducted a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Setting: &lt;/strong&gt;The study took place at Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Wuhan, Hubei, China.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Participants: &lt;/strong&gt;Participants were 120 patients discharged after hepatobiliary surgery at the hospital between June 2020 and June 2022.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Interventions: &lt;/strong&gt;The research team randomly divided participants into two groups using the random number table method, each with 60 participants: (1) an intervention group, which received precede-proceed model-dominant nursing combined with nutrition support and (2) a control group, which received routine care.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Outcome measures: &lt;/strong&gt;At baseline and postintervention, the research team assessed: (1) nutritional status, (2) self-care agency, (3) compliance, (4) quality of life (QoL), (5) incidence of complications.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;At baseline, no significant differences existed between the groups in nutritional status, self-care agency, QoL, or compliance (all P &gt; .05). Postintervention compared to the control group, the intervention group's: (1) nutritional status, including albumin (P = .015), hemoglobin (P &lt; .001), growth hormone (P &lt; .001), BW (P = .047), BMI (P = .046), TST (P = .001), and MAMC (P = .016) were significantly higher and transferrin (P &lt; .001) and NRS-2002 score (P &lt; .001) were significantly lower; (2) self-care agency, including self-concept, self-responsibility, health knowledge, and self-nursing skills were significantly higher (all P &lt; .001); (3) compliance scores, including observing the volume and color of bile correctly, clamping and opening the T tube properly, replacing the drainage bag correctly and in a timely manner, regularly disinfecting the skin around the drainage tube, keeping a balanced diet, adhering to medical regimens, exercising adequately were significantly higher (all P &lt; .001); (4) QoL was significantly higher (P &lt; .001); and (5) incidence of complications was significantly lower (P = .008).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Precede-proceed model-dominant nursing combined with nutrition support can significantly improve nutritional status, self-care agency, and QoL and c","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"92-99"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140954915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Preliminary Survey Report on the Use of Acupuncture Methods by Chinese Acupuncturists Worldwide.","authors":"Tao Huang, Zuobiao Yuan, Yixuan Liu, Xiaoyang Gong, Daiyi Tang, Chulong Xue, Li Feng, Liqin Zhao, Yüxin Wang, Arthur Yin Fan, Guanhu Yang, Shaobai Wang","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This survey aims to investigate the global utilization of acupuncture among Chinese acupuncturists and gather data on the prevalence and specific practices of acupuncture to provide insights into its adoption across diverse geographical regions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We designed a 10-question survey questionnaire and distributed it anonymously to Chinese acupuncturists via academic WeChat groups and acupuncture conferences. Responses were collected using the WJX online platform. Data was analyzed using Excel.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 6 months, 493 valid responses were received: 202 from China, 34 from other Asian countries, 184 from North America, 51 from Europe, and 22 from Oceania. Key findings include that 61.26% (302/493) of practitioners use fine needles, 60.85% (300/493) employ painless needle insertion, while 44.22% (218/493) emphasize the Deqi reactions, and 32.25% (159/493) utilize needle manipulation. However, these practices varied widely. Chinese acupuncturists in China reported lower usage (46.04%, 93/202) of gentle needling compared to those outside China (71.13%, 207/291), χ2 = 7.94, P = .005. Furthermore, 82.73% of acupuncturists reported the absence of pain or discomfort during acupuncture treatments, with most patients expressing satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pleasant acupuncture emerges as the predominant method among Chinese acupuncturists globally.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143955745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Efficacy of Leech Therapy (Ta'līq al-'Alaq) in Eczema (Nār Fārsī): An Open-Label Single-Arm Clinical Study.","authors":"Basha Sadhik Ulla P, Bibi Aaisha, Sjb Bokhari, P Zabiulla, Md Anzar Alam, Sadia Nikhat","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Eczema, known as Nār Fārsī in Unani medicine, is a chronic skin disorder characterized by intense pruritus, dryness, and scaling of skin, along with periodic flares and remissions. Unani literature recognizes it as a disorder caused by safrāwī (bilious) humor. Conventional treatment relies on emollients, humectants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Unani medicine recommends the expulsion of morbid matter by local blood-letting or oral therapies. Leech therapy, used in many traditional medicine systems for centuries, is a method of expulsion of morbid humors from a disease site. It is prescribed for diseases of joints, skin, the nervous system, etc. Contemporary research has identified many bioactive enzymes and proteins in leech saliva that have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, vasodilatory, antimicrobial, and many other effects.</p><p><strong>Primary study objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of leech therapy in eczema patients based on standard parameters.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An open-label, single-arm clinical study was conducted on 20 patients diagnosed with eczema.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>Four sessions of leech therapy were carried out with a one-week gap in between.</p><p><strong>Primary outcome measures: </strong>The effectiveness of leech therapy was assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) Score.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistically significant improvement was observed in the severity of eczema, as reflected in the EASI Score parameters, i.e., redness (P = .0001), edema (P = .0001), excoriation (P = .0022), and lichenification (P = .0001). However, the decrease in total area involved was not statistically significant (P = .24).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Leech therapy was found to be safe and effective in relieving the severity of eczema. All patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment, without any drop-outs, indicating excellent adherence to the therapy. With further research, leech therapy may provide positive outcomes in eczema in clinical settings, providing relief to the suffering patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143959563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}