Integrative Medicine Approach Research Articles

Small Observational Study of Battlefield Acupuncture for Homeless-Experienced Veterans.

Background: Homeless-experienced veterans (HEVs) are an important but challenging group to care for in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, and there are opportunities to examine the potential of integrative and complementary medicine approaches. Methods: This observational study enrolled 33 HEVs in a one-group observational, prospective study of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) with a monthly follow-up for 3 months after initiating BFA. Results: Linear growth curve analyses revealed a significant improvement in overall pain scores and scores on the effects of pain on activity level, mood, and stress. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest the potential of BFA to improve pain among HEVs as an area for further research.

INTEGRATING YOGA INTO MENTAL HEALTH CARE: ENHANCING HOLISTIC WELL-BEING

Yoga is a holistic practice that originated in ancient India and has evolved over thousands of years. It encompasses physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, and ethical principles aimed at achieving harmony between the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga offers numerous benefits, including improved flexibility, strength, balance, stress reduction, relaxation, and mental clarity. It is practiced by people of all ages and backgrounds worldwide, with various styles and approaches catering to different needs and preferences. Beyond its physical aspects, yoga is often embraced as a lifestyle that promotes overall well-being and inner peace. Yoga in mental health care refers to the integration of yoga practices, such as physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation, and mindfulness, into therapeutic interventions for individuals dealing with mental health challenges. It aims to promote emotional regulation, stress reduction, improved self-awareness, and overall well-being as adjunctive or complementary treatments alongside traditional mental health interventions. Yoga in integrative medicine refers to the incorporation of yoga practices into a holistic approach to healthcare that combines conventional medical treatments with complementary and alternative therapies. Integrative medicine emphasizes treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—to promote overall health and wellness. Yoga, with its focus on physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and mindfulness, can play a significant role in managing various health conditions and enhancing overall well-being when integrated into an integrative medicine approach. Yoga in integrative mental health care involves the incorporation of yoga practices, such as physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness, into a comprehensive approach to mental health treatment. Integrative mental health care emphasizes treating the whole person and considers various factors contributing to mental well-being, including biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. Yoga can be used as an adjunctive or complementary therapy alongside conventional mental health treatments like psychotherapy and medication. It offers a range of benefits for mental health, including stress reduction, anxiety and depression management, improved mood regulation, increased self-awareness, and enhanced emotional resilience. In integrative mental health care settings, yoga practices are often tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of individuals with mental health concerns. Yoga sessions may be conducted in group settings or one-on-one sessions with trained instructors who can adapt the practice to accommodate different levels of ability and comfort. Research has shown promising results regarding the effectiveness of yoga in improving various mental health outcomes, making it a valuable component of integrative mental health care approaches aimed at promoting holistic well-being.

Assessing the understanding and utilization of integrative oncology among patients with a history of cancer.

e23231 Background: Integrative oncology (IO) is an evidence-informed field of cancer care the utilizes mind-body practices, natural products, lifestyle medicine from different traditions alongside conventional therapies. Many of these components have growing evidence of benefit and are part of guideline recommendations. The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) at Thomas Jefferson University has an integrative oncology program that sought to identify patients’ understanding of integrative health, assess their utilization of integrative medicine approaches, and define interest in IO consultations. Methods: Patients with a history of cancer or at high risk for cancer who presented for care at an SKCC clinical site received an electronic record invitation to complete a brief survey with binary and free-response questions regarding current knowledge, experiences, and interest in IO. At the end of the survey, patients also had the option to express interest in an IO consultations at SKCC. Results: Among 1327 responders, 900 (67.8%) were female, and 998 (75.2%) were between 45-75 years of age. Most were white (980, 73.9%), followed by Black or African American (279, 21.0%). Breast cancer (435, 32.8%) and hematologic cancers (277, 20.9%) were the most reported malignancies. Overall, 340 (26.4%) and 123 (9.27%) had previously utilized in-person IO services and virtual IO services, respectively. 887 (66.8%) patients reported that IO was never discussed during their care. 946 (71.3%) expressed interest in an IO consultation. Conclusions: Approximately a third of patients who completed the survey had previously used an IO modality. More than double that number expressed interest in and IO consultation. With the increasing evidence of benefit for IO care and the inclusion of these recommendations in clinical guidelines, expansion of IO services is indicated. IO consultations would address knowledge gaps, enhance implementation of guideline-based care, and, perhaps, improve clinical outcomes.

Firefighters' medical use and Korean Medicine experience in Korea: A qualitative study protocol.

Firefighters, compared to other occupational groups, are exposed more frequently in their working environment not only to physical issues, such as musculoskeletal disease, respiratory disease, and burns but also to mental health issues, such as PTSD and depression. Specifically, Korean firefighters experience significantly higher rates of work-related injuries compared to those in other countries. Recent statistics from the Korea National Fire Agency indicate a steady increase in the number of firefighting work-related injuries. However, there is a shortage of measures in place to address these issues. This study aims to investigate the health needs, overall healthcare usage, and unmet needs of firefighters in Korea. We also aim to investigate, through in-depth interviews, perceptions and hindering factors for integrative medicine approaches to fulfilling unmet needs. This study was conducted in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Convenience and snowball sampling methods will be used to recruit firefighters to participate in the study, and interviews will be conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The data will be analyzed in four stages using the qualitative analysis method of Krippendorff. In this study, we examine the state of health issues and healthcare usage among Korean firefighters and investigate their perceptions of and needs for integrative medicine. In this way, we aim to explore how integrative medicine and Korean medicine approaches could improve and assist healthcare services for firefighters. Furthermore, our findings will provide policymakers and healthcare providers with the necessary basic information to develop integrative medicine systems suited to firefighters.

Expert consensus-based clinical recommendation for an integrative anthroposophic treatment approach to acute tonsillitis in childhood

BackgroundMedical guidelines are an important basis for qualitative and cost-effective patient care. However, there is a lack of clinical recommendations in anthroposophic medicine (AM), an integrative medicine approach frequently practised in Europe. Acute tonsillitis, which includes tonsillopharyngitis, is a common childhood disease. that is mostly caused by a viral infection. Symptomatic treatment is therefore of high importance, and AM can offer several therapy options. Methods53 physicians from Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary with at least one year of experience in anthroposophic paediatric medicine were invited to participate in an online Delphi process. The process comprises five survey rounds starting with open-ended questions and ending with final statements, which need 75% agreement of experts to reach consensus. Expert answers were evaluated by two independent reviewers using MAXQDA and Excel. ResultsResponse rate was between 28% and 45%. The developed recommendation included 15 subtopics. These covered clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and psychosocial aspects of acute tonsillitis. Six subtopics achieved a high consensus (>90%) and nine subtopics achieved consensus (75–90%). ConclusionThe clinical recommendation for acute tonsillitis in children aims to simplify everyday patient care and provide decision-making support when considering and prescribing anthroposophic therapies. Moreover, the recommendation makes AM more transparent for physicians, parents, and maybe political stakeholders as well.

Ayurvedic protocols of chronic pain management: spatiotemporality as present moment awareness and embodied time.

Temporality is understood as the subjective perception of the flow of chronological time and is a central component of contemporary and integrative medicine approaches. Although temporal dynamics are recognized as central to the processes associated with chronic pain (CP), the temporal management of CP is inadequately understood in pain research. How is temporality conceptualized in Ayurvedic protocols of CP management?. Ayurvedic physicians (N = 10) from India were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. A semi-structured interview protocol was employed to gather qualitative data focusing on the Ayurvedic protocol employed to treat CP patients. The interviews were audio-recorded, professionally transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Member validation, participant voice, and researcher self-awareness were employed to strengthen reliability and validity. An ontologically grounded thematic exploration of Ayurvedic protocols illustrates that temporality is conceptualized in CP as spatiotemporal present moment awareness (PMA) and embodied time (ET). Spatiotemporality as PMA references an awareness of the relationality of cognitive temporal movement, dosha operations, and their pathophysiological expression in the body. Spatiotemporality as ET is conceptualized as awareness of the expression of time in embodied emotional and psychosocial processes as in the movement of the breath through the body, the movement of body sensations over time, and in their intersection with consciousness. The study findings present an experiential and relational framework situating spatiotemporality ontologically as an organizing principle in CP management. While temporality focuses on the representation of experiences and relations over time, spatiotemporality foregrounds a constructionist approach by centering the embodied spatial cognitive expression of time, consciousness, and subjective experience.

Effects of the PREMEN-CALM® in the Management of the Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Premenstrual syndrome is a common disorder in women of reproductive age characterized by a variety of cyclical symptoms with a great impact on their lifestyle. Available pharmacological options include both antidepressants and oral contraceptives, both of which have side effects, are expensive and not always effective. Vitamins, minerals and plant extracts have been proven to alleviate the symptomatology of the premenstrual syndrome. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a commercial phytotherapeutic dietary supplement (PREMEN-CALM®: γ-aminobutyric acid, Rhodiola rosea L., Vitex agnus-castus, vitamin B6 and melatonin) as an alternative treatment for this condition. A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled pilot study was performed. Participants (n = 42) were assessed before and after 3 months of taking the supplement (n = 21) or the placebo (n = 21). Outcome measures include antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers, body composition, subjective sleep quality, mood state profile, quality of life, and certain characteristics of the menstrual cycle. The within-group analysis revealed a significant improvement in the total antioxidant status (1.49 ± 0.34 vs reference value 1, p = 0.002), mood state profile (p = 0.02), and affective symptoms (p = 0.01) in the women receiving the commercial phytotherapeutic dietary supplement PREMEN-CALM®. On the contrary, the between-group analysis showed no statistical differences, suggesting a plausible placebo effect. The phytotherapeutic supplement PREMEN-CALM® might be effective in treating or alleviating the symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome without adverse events. Integrative medicine approaches in the clinical practice may help improve the health of women suffering from this and other gynecological conditions.

The relationship between nutritional facts and temperament of selected Iranians' frequent food items: a summative content analysis study.

Dietary intake is considered as a major determinant factor in health maintenance as well as primary and secondary prevention of diseases. The knowledge on the relationship between food nutritional facts and their temperament (Mizaj) can be helpful in the integrative Iranian medicine and modern nutrition approach to individualized diet planning. This study was carried out in three phases using a summative content analysis method: 1) Extraction of the Iranians' frequent food items through an academic discussion panel of nutritionists and MDs, PhDs of Iranian medicine; 2) Determination of the extracted food items' temperament and nutritional facts; 3) Statistical analysis of the extracted data using SPSS software. Foods with warm temperament had higher mean levels of energy and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as iron, zinc, and manganese. On the other hand, the mean values of total fatty acids, cholesterol, vitamin B12, and retinol were significantly higher in wet temperament foods. Additionally, the dryness of food items had a positive significant association with total carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin B6, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese. Finally, wet foods had higher amounts of moisture and vitamin A. The results of the present study revealed that warmness of food items is associated with higher amounts of macronutrients as well as cell growth and proliferation related micronutrients. Moreover, foods with dry temperament had higher amounts of minerals. Further studies, especially food analytical studies, are required to validate the accuracy of aforementioned findings.

Perspectives and Ideas to Advance Integrative Medicine and Healthcare: Proceedings of the 4th Annual Jaseng Academic Conference

The 4<sup>th</sup> Annual Jaseng Academic conference (August 13, 2023) in Seoul, South Korea, was a pivotal event in the realm of integrative medicine. Cohosted by Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, over 500 professionals including Korean medicine doctors, medical doctors, doctors of osteopathic medicine, acupuncturists, researchers, and students gathered at the conference. The theme, “Perspectives on Integrative Medicine,” marked a departure from previous conference themes and embraced a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare. The event highlighted the importance of holistic patient care and cross-disciplinary collaboration within healthcare. It offered a comprehensive overview of the current state of integrative medicine approaches in manual medicine, evidence-based acupuncture treatment, and acupuncture research. The Annual Jaseng Academic conference continues to serve as a platform for healthcare professionals to exchange ideas and perspectives, and bridges the gap between diverse medical systems to promote improved patient outcome and wellbeing.

One Health strategies for addressing antimicrobial resistance: an exclusive emphasis on Bulgaria

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health challenge, primarily driven by the excessive use of antibiotics (ABs). While the European Union (EU) has successfully reduced ABs consumption since 2009, Bulgaria (BG) reports an increase in ABs use in both community and hospital settings. According to the 2021 Eurobarometer, the consumption rate of ABs among Bulgarians is twice as high as that in Germany, with a significant number taking ABs without a prescription. Moreover, only 41% of Bulgarians are aware that ABs do not kill viruses, and 30% took ABs for COVID-19 (as compared to 1% in Finland). This highlights an urgent need for interventions to tackle AMR in BG, using One Health (OH) approaches that consider the complex interplay between human, animal, and environmental health. The data presented aims to alert a wide range of stakeholders that AMR is not just a clinical or national issue but it has cross-border implications. It emphasizes the role that everyone must play in preserving the efficacy of ABs. Strategies for sustainable OH solutions: Researchers and educators should incorporate AMR and OH in their core responsibilities, providing relevant training and raising community awareness regarding prudent ABs use. Encouraging integrative medicine approaches, including traditional practices such as phytotherapy, can help delay the ABs prescriptions. Research is also necessary to support OH legislative changes that restrict ABs sales. Particularly, Bulgaria is among the few EU countries that have not approved an OH Action Plan against AMR or an inter-sectoral OH mechanism between veterinary, food, and health authorities. OH remains relatively unfamiliar in BG. Despite this, there is a political will to develop national OH policies, as demonstrated in the recently adopted National Health Strategy 2030. Urgent actions are needed to address AMR in BG. Using EU's AMR activities as a model, this analysis is a step towards a regional OH project. Key messages • AMR is a pressing public health problem in Bulgaria with cross-border implications. One Health strategies are needed urgently to address it. EU's AMR activities can be a model. • Bulgarian researchers, educators, and policymakers must make AMR their central responsibility. OH Action Plan against AMR and an inter-sectoral collaboration are the keys to success.

Integrative Medicine Approaches: Bridging the Gap Between Conventional and Renal Complementary Therapies.

The global incidence of renal disorders is on the rise, demanding the implementation of novel and comprehensive strategies for patient care. The present study demonstrates the significance of renal health, offering a comprehensive comprehension of renal physiology and the escalating load of renal illnesses. The relevance of controlling renal illnesses is underscored by a thorough examination of conventional treatments, which encompass pharmaceutical interventions, dialysis, and transplantation. Subsequently, the story redirects its attention towards complementary therapies, classifying them into several categories, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary supplements, and mind-body activities, among various others. This paper presents a comprehensive examination of the available information, providing a critical study of the effectiveness and safety of alternative therapies in renal care. This study focuses on the central idea of integrative medicine, distinguished by its patient-centered and holistic approach and its seamless integration of conventional and complementary therapies. This study examines several integrative care models, using case studies to illustrate successful integrative approaches that have enhanced patient outcomes. The review thoroughly examines the current body of literature on integrative renal care, including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and notable research discoveries. This study highlights the need for further research to address knowledge gaps and explore areas that require additional examination. These findings emphasize the importance of future research endeavors in this crucial sector. In addition, the paper thoroughly examines the safety issues and regulatory factors pertaining to complementary therapies, underscoring the importance of making educated decisions and maintaining diligent monitoring to safeguard patients' well-being. Integrating patient perspectives, experiences, and shared decision-making is essential to the integrated healthcare process, promoting a collaborative and patient-centered approach. The study culminates by providing a concise overview of the primary discoveries and delineating the ramifications of implementing therapeutic procedures. This statement underscores the considerable potential of integrative medicine in augmenting renal care, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes and an improved overall quality of life for persons with renal diseases. Also, this literature review provides a thorough and knowledgeable examination of the incorporation of conventional and complementary therapies in the context of renal health. It gives valuable perspectives for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and policymakers interested in enhancing care strategies for individuals with renal conditions.

Abstract 3822: Novel evidence for the role of the p53 signaling pathway in mediating the anticancer effects of aronia berry extract in colorectal cancer cells

Abstract Background: The development of safe and effective novel agents remains a critical challenge for improving the prognosis of patients with unresectable colorectal cancer (CRC). Natural products containing polyphenols can be a good source of anti-cancer agents for their potential effect on multiple signaling pathways with anti-cancer effect. Due to its rich polyphenols content, Aronia berry extract (ABE) is gaining increased attention as an anti-cancer agent with its protective effect against cancer cells, including CRC, exerting potent antioxidant and antiproliferative effects. Thus, we hypothesized that ABE could be a novel complementary therapeutic option in patients with CRC by virtue of its ability to modulate multiple key cancer-related pathways. Methods: First, an MTT assay was performed to prove the antiproliferative effect of ABE in two CRC cells, SW480 and HCT116, and IC25 and IC50 of ABE in both CRC cells were identified. Next, the anti-cancer effects of ABE were examined by wound healing, colony formation, and invasion assays. Apoptosis studies were performed using the Muse Annexin V & Dead Cell Assay Kit on the muse cell analyzer. RNA-sequencing was performed to clarify the critical regulatory genes and pathways modulated by ABE by comparing genome-wide profiling between CRC cells with and without ABE treatment. Results: Results of the MTT assay revealed that ABE decreased the viability of both CRC cells, and the IC25 and IC50 of ABE were 80.0 µg/mL and 130.0 µg/mL for SW480 and 80.0 µg/mL and 140.0 µg/mL for HCT116. ABE inhibited proliferation, migration, cellular survival, and invasion of CRC cells and induced apoptosis in those cells (SW480 control vs. IC25: p<0.05, control vs. IC50: p<0.01, HCT116 control vs. IC25: p<0.01, control vs. IC50: p<0.01). After ABE treatment, the genome-wide transcriptomic analysis identified 439 differentially expressed genes (p<0.05 and |log2FC|>0.5) in both CRC cells. These differentially expressed genes were used for pathway analysis and some critical cancer-related pathways, including the p53 signaling pathway (p=0.005, fold enrichment 3.8), NF-kappa B signaling pathway (p=0.030, fold enrichment 2.7), Hippo signaling pathway (p=0.037, fold enrichment 2.2), and MAPK signaling pathway (p=0.011, fold enrichment 2.0), were detected as significantly activated or suppressed pathways. Conclusions: We have investigated the anti-cancerous effect of ABE in CRC cells and identified multiple critical cancer-related pathways modulated by ABE, with the p53 signaling pathway as the key mediator for growth suppressive anti-cancer efficacy of this naturally occurring phytochemical. Our findings provide evidence for the use of ABE as a safe and effective complementary and integrative medicine approach against CRC. Citation Format: Yoh Asahi, Keisuke Okuno, Caiming Xu, Aknobu Taketomi, Ajay Goel. Novel evidence for the role of the p53 signaling pathway in mediating the anticancer effects of aronia berry extract in colorectal cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3822.

Role of Integrative Health on Neuropathic Pain.

Patients diagnosed with neuropathic pain experience continuous or intermittent spontaneous pain throughout their lives. Pharmacological treatments often provide limited relief; therefore, a multidisciplinary approach should be utilized to manage neuropathic pain. This review examines the current literature on integrative health modalities (anti-inflammatory diets, functional movement, acupuncture, meditation, and transcutaneous therapy) for treating patients with neuropathic pain. The use of an anti-inflammatory diet, functional movement, acupuncture, meditation, and transcutaneous therapy in treating neuropathic pain has been investigated in prior literature with positive outcomes. However, there remains a large void in evidence-based knowledge and clinical applicability for these interventions. Overall, integrative health offers a cost-efficient and harmless way of creating a multidisciplinary approach to managing neuropathic pain. There are many complementary approaches to treating neuropathic pain as part of an integrative medicine approach. Research is needed to explore other herbs and spices not yet reported in the peer-review literature. Additionally, follow-on research is needed to understand the clinical applicability of the proposed interventions as well as the dose and timing of the interventions to predict response and duration.

Abstract P1-08-02: Implementation of Integrative Medicine Program for Breast Medical Oncology Professionals in an Academic Cancer Center

Abstract BACKGROUND: Integrative medicine such as acupuncture, meditation, yoga and massage are highly desired by breast cancer survivors. Breast medical oncology professionals including physicians, advanced nurse practitioners and physician assistants are often the first clinicians that patients would expect to discuss the use of integrative medicine. Many distressing symptoms, such as hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, and pain, are common and remain challenging to manage with limited pharmacological intervention available and potential toxicities. Evidence-based integrative medicine approaches, including acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and massage, may help reduce this symptom burden and improve quality of life. However, many breast medical oncology professions are not familiar with current evidence and knowledge in integrative medicine. Therefore, there is an urgent need to educate them on the fundamentals of evidence-based integrative medicine interventions that could improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors. METHODS: We designed the Integrative Oncology training Program for breast medicine professionals at our institution. The program faculty are composed of five breast medical oncologists, five integrative medicine faculty, and one education coordinator. RESULTS: We developed an online, interdisciplinary five-hour course on evidence-based integrative oncology with essential knowledge on integrative medicine approaches for breast cancer survivors. We determined the topic of interest based on feedback from the program faculty. The integrative medicine approaches in management of hot flashes, arthralgia, insomnia, are cannabis uses are some examples that were highly in-demand. The program summarizes high-quality evidence in herbal supplements, acupuncture, meditation, and yoga, pertinent to the audience, as well as the referral flow to our Integrative Medicine Service. CONCLUSIONS: Integrative medicine education programs for oncological professionals are needed to disseminate integrative medicine knowledge and to prepare them to guide our patients on integrative and complementary approaches during and after anticancer treatments. Citation Format: W. Iris Zhi, Rui Wanq, Ting Bao. Implementation of Integrative Medicine Program for Breast Medical Oncology Professionals in an Academic Cancer Center [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-08-02.

Comparing psychiatric routine care and integrative psychiatry – A study protocol for a prospective observational study (INTEGRAL)

IntroductionIn recent years, complementary and alternative medicine therapies have been increasingly studied for their effectiveness, and there are more and more studies supporting the use of some practices in the psychiatric setting. Despite the high acceptability and interest of patients using a holistic approach to recover from mental health issues, complementary and alternative medicine therapies are not yet integrated in the conventional treatment. This study investigates the potential of an integrative psychiatry approach compared to treatment as usual in a heterogeneous inpatient population. MethodsINTEGRAL is an observational study comparing two psychiatric hospitals. In total 240 inpatients with a diagnosis of a mental disorder (substance use, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and somatoform disorder) will be included. One hospital offers standard therapy, the other one has established an integrative medicine approach combining conventional treatment with CAM. The integrative approach provides a non-standardized complex patient-centered mental health care. Outcomes will be assessed at three time points and focus on the following three frameworks: severity of disease, personal recovery and trans-diagnostic phenomena. DiscussionTo our knowledge and research, this study is the first prospective observational study comparing psychiatric routine care and integrative psychiatry and will give us a glimpse of the effects on severity of disorders, trans-diagnostic symptoms and recovery in different psychiatric inpatient populations in the short and long term. The study may help to optimize the treatment of patients suffering from severe mental illness in providing a patient-centered approach with a diversity of evidence-based practices.

Integrative Medicine Approaches in Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Painful Bladder Syndrome and Infertility in Women Health

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is one of the common diseases in urology, gynecology, and gastroenterology. CPPS is a multifactorial disorder where pain may originate in any of the urogynecology, gastrointestinal, pelvic musculoskeletal, or nervous systems. The aim of this article is to sensitize general observation for all integrative medicine practitioner to analyze data for a best interdisciplinary approaches-oriented results for health orientation. Indeed, CPPS could be severe enough to limit functioning, unrelated to menstrual cycle, pregnancy, local trauma, or pelvic operations. This syndrome is one of the diseases shared by urology and gynecology. Its frequency is between 3% and 10%, and it is more frequent among women. The costs of treating CPPS were estimated at about $880 million annually. About 15% of women reported loss of workdays and 45% reported decreased work efficiency. This review aims at presenting an interdisciplinary overview on CPPS patients focusing on links between irritable bowel syndrome, painful bladder syndrome and infertility, to illustrate the relevance of integrative medicine. We propose an integrative approach to treating the diverse symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by combining the benefits of and need for pharmacotherapy with known complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies to provide IBS patients with the best treatment outcome achievable.

Integrative oncology: evidence-based medicine - The multidisciplinary experience of the Integrative Medicine Research Group (IMRG).

The purpose of this conference was to explain the relationship between the integrative and complementary medicine and cancer disease through evidence-based medicine. The topics covered are numerous and are characterized by the multidisciplinary approach of the researchers involved in this complex scenario. The Integrative Medicine Research Group (IMRG) studies the complementary and integrative approach in cancer patients with the aim to highlight the risk of drug and nutraceutical interactions and, at the same time, improve the quality of life in this particular set of patients. Our auspicious is to have an integrative medicine approach to all chronic diseases, oncological included.

A network medicine approach for identifying diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and exploring drug repurposing in human cancer

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease mainly driven by abnormal gene perturbations in regulatory networks. Therefore, it is appealing to identify the common and specific perturbed genes from multiple cancer networks. We developed an integrative network medicine approach to identify novel biomarkers and investigate drug repurposing across cancer types. We used a network-based method to prioritize genes in cancer-specific networks reconstructed using human transcriptome and interactome data. The prioritized genes show extensive perturbation and strong regulatory interaction with other highly perturbed genes, suggesting their vital contribution to tumorigenesis and tumor progression, and are therefore regarded as cancer genes. The cancer genes detected show remarkable performances in discriminating tumors from normal tissues and predicting survival times of cancer patients. Finally, we developed a network proximity approach to systematically screen drugs and identified dozens of candidates with repurposable potential in several cancer types. Taken together, we demonstrated the power of the network medicine approach to identify novel biomarkers and repurposable drugs in multiple cancer types. We have also made the data and code freely accessible to ensure reproducibility and reusability of the developed computational workflow.

Integrative medicine approaches to chronic depression: case studies of the recovery process with a three-step path to recovery and significant cure.

The support provided by conventional treatments centered on the administration of medication for chronic or other types of depression is limited. Integrative medicine, which is based on both modern Western medicine and a range of complementary and alternative medicine practices, is patient-centered and promotes natural healing in patients to achieve significant cure. Thisreport focuses on the indications of recovery fromdepression using integrative medicine, especially homeopathy. Thirty-one patients (9 males and 22 females) with depression underwent homeopathic treatment using various strategies over 3months, in addition to antidepressants. All patients were diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorders, except bipolar disorders. Three steps were used to model indications of their recovery from depression: reducing difficulties in everyday life, reducing and stopping antidepressants, and reducing and stopping the homeopathic remedies. Patients were considered to have recovered when antidepressants had been stopped for 6months or more and 3 or more months had passed since homeopathic medicines were stopped. Of the 31 patients with depression, 13 recovered within 2years of starting homeopathic treatment, and 11 completely recovered from chronic depression. This study suggests that integrative medicine can be a useful strategy for depression, including the use of a three-step strategy for reducing all dependence on clinical treatment. As most patients, especially chronic patients, significantly recovered from depression through homeopathy over 2years, this model can help understand recovery from depression through integrative medicine.

Effectiveness of an integrative medicine approach to improve cognitive dysfunction and dementia: An observational study.

Despite the urgent need to control dementia, an effective treatment has yet to be developed. Along with the Korean government’s policy of cooperation between conventional medicine (CM) and Korean medicine (KM), integrative medical services for dementia patients are being provided. This study aimed to compare the integrative medical clinic (IMC) for dementia used by Dongguk University Hospitals (DUH) with other service models and to review the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients who had visited DUH over the past 5 years. Patients’ electronic medical records from May 2015 to June 2020 were searched and their data were analyzed to evaluate the IMC’s service model. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic tests, and treatment patterns for CM and KM were collected. The proportion of patients who did not show worsening cognitive function was described in detail. A strength of the DUH integrative medicine clinic is its ability to manage both KM and CM patients in the same space at the same time. Among the 82 patients who visited the clinic during our study period, 56 remained for data analysis after we excluded patients who met the exclusion criteria; nineteen patients had diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment. Among collaboration patterns, the first visit to the IMC had the highest proportion (55.4%). Among diagnosed tests in CM, laboratory tests and neuropsychological tests were used the most. In KM, a heart rate variability test was frequently used. The most common CM treatment prescribed was anticonvulsants, with 22 patients (39.2%) receiving donepezil, whereas the most frequent KM treatments were acupuncture (82.1%) and herbal medicine (78.6%). Twelve patients were followed up with the Mini-Mental State Examination, and 8 demonstrated either no worsening or improved cognition (baseline Mini-Mental State Examination range: 21–26). All 8 patients had mild cognitive impairment including 6 with amnestic, multidomain impairment. This study searched for a way to improve cognitive dysfunction and dementia using an integrative approach, and it shows promising results for mild cognitive impairment. However, more precisely designed follow-up studies are needed to address the present work’s limitations of a retrospective study design and a small sample size.