Integrative Medicine Research Articles

OZONIOTERAPIA EM CONTAMINAÇÃO DE FERIDA CIRÚRGICARELATO DE CASO EM CÃO CAUDECTOMIZADO

Integrative medicine offers a wide variety of therapies that can be associated with conventional medicine, providing patients appropriate treatment with satisfactory results. Among the therapies used in integrative medicine, we have ozone therapy, which is widely used for various purposes due to its bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal properties and the fact that it has practically no side effects with low toxicity, being used in chronic pathological conditions, in cases of dermatitis, ulcers and redness, burns and wound healing processes. The case report shows a healing process promoted by ozone therapy and associated therapies in a dog, presenting positive results. Ozone is a colorless gas with a characteristic odor and analgesic and anti-inflammatory functions, also contributing to the immune system and body oxygenation of animals. It can be applied in distinct ways, split into local or systemic, and can be subcutaneous, intravaginal, blood therapies, bagging and cupping methods. In addition, the technique offers low cost and promotes an improvement in the animal's quality of life.

Evaluation of Integrative Medicine in Residency-Psychiatry Curriculum.

This study describes knowledge change, self-assessed confidence in providing integrative medicine approach, and respondents' perspective on value and feasibility for the Integrative Medicine in Residency-Psychiatry (IMR-Psychiatry) curriculum, a 100-h elective offered during psychiatry training. Residents/fellows completed pre-post Medical Knowledge tests and self-assessment instruments tracking self-rated confidence. Participants were also interviewed for feedback about their experience using a semi-structured design after completion of the program. Thirty-five of 37 (94.6%) participants completed all elective requirements. Items on the self-assessment instrument with the greatest positive pre-post change (p < 0.001) included ability to identify authoritative sources about botanicals (Cohen d = 2.15), effectively respond to patients' questions regarding the use of herbs/supplements (Cohen d = 2.67), and interpret labels on nutraceuticals (Cohen d = 2.28). Mean score on the Medical Knowledge test (n = 30) increased from 64.7% correct at pretest to 81.6% at posttest. Responses tracking self-assessed confidence in providing an IM approach to address 18 common medical and psychiatric conditions all increased significantly pre to post (p < 0.001). Qualitative interviews provided important insights into challenges and recommendations for improvement, and all participants highly recommended the curriculum and found it feasible to complete during training. The IMR-Psychiatry curriculum provides trainees skills that promote comprehensive person-centered care; as a tool to optimize patient care and safety while enhancing physician well-being, wider-spread incorporation of the curriculum into psychiatry residency programs would be beneficial.

OZONIOTERAPIA EM CONTAMINAÇÃO DE FERIDA CIRÚRGICARELATO DE CASO EM CÃO CAUDECTOMIZADO

Integrative medicine offers a wide variety of therapies that can be associated with conventional medicine, providing patients appropriate treatment with satisfactory results. Among the therapies used in integrative medicine, we have ozone therapy, which is widely used for various purposes due to its bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal properties and the fact that it has practically no side effects with low toxicity, being used in chronic pathological conditions, in cases of dermatitis, ulcers and redness, burns and wound healing processes. The case report shows a healing process promoted by ozone therapy and associated therapies in a dog, presenting positive results. Ozone is a colorless gas with a characteristic odor and analgesic and anti-inflammatory functions, also contributing to the immune system and body oxygenation of animals. It can be applied in distinct ways, split into local or systemic, and can be subcutaneous, intravaginal, blood therapies, bagging and cupping methods. In addition, the technique offers low cost and promotes an improvement in the animal's quality of life.

The Integrative Medicine Appointment: Essential Elements to Consider for Optimal Outcomes

The Integrative Medicine Appointment: Essential Elements to Consider for Optimal Outcomes

Consensus of experts on clinical quality management for flow cytometry-based detection of lymphocyte subsets

Flow cytometry (FCM) is used to detect lymphocyte subsets and evaluate the level of cellular immunity in the body, which is one of the commonly used FCM detection projects in clinical practice. To date, numerous institutions and academic organizations, both domestically and internationally, have published guidelines and consensus documents covering various aspects, including the establishment of cytometry laboratories, standardized procedures for detecting lymphocyte subsets, and their clinical applications across different fields, each with a distinct focus. However, in clinical practice, laboratories continue to face challenges in establishing standardized quality management systems, implementing quality assurance activities, developing appropriate detection protocols and gating strategies for various scenarios, and identifying and resolving common issues encountered during detecting. Currently, there is no unified consensus on these issues. To standardize the development of quality management systems for lymphocyte subsets detecion via FCM, enhance laboratory quality management practices, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of results, the Laboratory Medicine Committee of Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine (LMC-CAIM) convened experts to formulate this expert consensus.

Assessing a Training Program for Integrative Medicine Practitioners in the Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder.

The study examined a training program for integrative medicine (IM) providers, teaching clinical skills for treating acute stress disorder (ASD). A 10-h online training program, designed by IM and mental health professionals, was attended by a group of 32 IM providers working in supportive and palliative oncology care. Pre- and post-course questionnaires assessed self-perceived levels of IM and mental health ASD-related skills (from 1, very low; to 7, very high). Most participants (25; 78%) completed pre- and post-study questionnaires, which showed an increase in post-course scores for the expectation that IM could reduce ASD-related pain (p=0.004). Scores for self-assessed skill levels increased for treating gastro-intestinal symptoms and appetite (p=0.039) and for dyspnea (p=0.048). A borderline increase for arousal was observed (p=0.063), with no increase with other arousal symptom cluster symptoms. The ASD-focused training program for IM practitioners was associated with an increase in self-perceived levels for related clinical skills quality of life-related concerns, primarily pain, appetite and dyspnea. Further research is needed to better understand the implications of the findings, and to explore the implementation of the learned skills in clinical practice.

Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine therapies for the treatment of mild/moderate acute COVID-19: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BackgroundIncreasing evidence has emerged for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) to treat COVID-19 which requires systematic summaries of the net benefits of interventions against standard care and one another....

Integrative Medicine Elective for the Wellbeing of Pharmacy Students

ObjectiveTo describe the impact of an integrative medicine elective on the wellbeing of pharmacy students at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and examine the relationship between perceived stress and happiness. MethodsStudents completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) prior to and three months after taking the course. Our study compared the outcomes of each composite score from the PSS and SHS before and after course participation to detect any difference. The interpretation of single composite scores was analyzed similarly. The correlation of the PSS and SHS was checked to determine their relationships, and the correlation between the change in PSS and the time the students spent practicing their identified integrative modality was also analyzed to detect whether any association existed. ResultsA total of 49 students completed both the pre and post wellness inventories over three offerings of the class (2020, 2022 and 2023). There was a decrease in PSS of 0.8 that was not statistically significant with most students reporting moderate perceived stress on both the pre-PSS and post-PSS. The average SHS was 4.7. There was a strong negative correlation between the PSS and SHS. There was a moderate negative correlation between the time practicing the integrative medicine modality and post-course PSS. ConclusionThis practical, hands-on experience will add non-pharmacologic tools to the pharmacy student tool kit, which could be used in both patient care and pharmacy student wellness.

“There is a way to work together”: a qualitative study on complementary medicine therapists' perceptions of their role in the Swiss healthcare system

Background and purposeComplementary medicine has been undergoing a process of regulation and professionalization in many countries where the biomedical model is dominant. However, little is known about therapists’ opinions regarding these changes. The aim of the study was thus to explore therapists’ views on the regulation of their practice and on collaboration between CM and biomedicine. Materials and methodsWe conducted this qualitative descriptive study by means of focus groups consisting of non-physician acupuncturists, naturopaths, and osteopaths in two cantons of Switzerland. A qualitative content analysis was carried out on the verbatim transcripts of the focus groups. ResultsFour main themes were identified: contributions to the healthcare system, collaboration with biomedicine, pathways to recognition, and integrative medicine. Therapists defined their role in the healthcare system in comparison to biomedicine, allowing them to highlight how they could complement it. They also noted an improved relationship with biomedicine, while highlighting the remaining barriers to optimal collaboration. Different ways were mentioned to achieve a higher level of recognition: better educating and informing physicians about CM, structured training of therapists that is federally recognized, state regulation, and development of scientific research on CM. Finally, although unfamiliar with the concept, therapists defined integrative medicine as horizontal collaboration between CM and biomedicine. ConclusionDespite the differences between the three CM practiced by the therapists, they produced fairly similar discourse regarding aspirations and concerns in the face of integration. This discourse should be considered in order to facilitate the integration of CM in the Swiss healthcare system.

The willingness to transition to a more plant-based diet among omnivores: determinants and socioeconomic differences

Plant-based diets benefit individual health and the environment, yet most people eat omnivorous diets. We aim to (1) assess the role of multiple determinants for transitioning to more plant-based diets in a sample of omnivorous respondents, such as recommendations from doctors, scientists and politicians; lower costs; and increased availability, and to (2) identify which subpopulations are most receptive to which determinants. Using data from a survey on the use and acceptance of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Germany (N=4,065; N omnivorous=3,419; 84%), we find that the overall willingness to change to a more plant-based diet is low (mean=2.25 on a scale of 1 to 4). Respondents are most willing based on doctors’ recommendations (mean=2.61), and if prices for plant-based products were lower (mean=2.55), and least willing based on scientists’ and politicians’ recommendations (mean=1.86). Regression analyses reveal that men, the baby boomer cohort, and respondents with lower levels of education have a significantly lower willingness to transition to more plant-based diets. Further, recommendations from doctors, scientists, and politicians appear to be promising interventions for addressing the dietary behavior of men and older cohorts. Interventions by doctors and lower prices for plant-based products have the highest potential to induce dietary change even among the reluctant, reducing health inequalities and promoting environmentally friendly behavior.

Open science practices among authors published in complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine journals: An international, cross-sectional survey.

Open science practices aim to increase transparency in research and increase research availability through open data, open access platforms, and public access. Due to the increasing popularity of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) research, our study aims to explore current open science practices and perceived barriers among CAIM researchers in their own respective research articles. We conducted an international cross-sectional online survey that was sent to authors that published articles in MEDLINE-indexed journals categorized under the broad subject of "Complementary Therapies" or articles indexed under the MeSH term "Complementary Therapies." Articles were extracted to obtain the names and emails of all corresponding authors. Eight thousand seven hundred eighty-six researchers were emailed our survey, which included questions regarding participants' familiarity with open science practices, their open science practices, and perceived barriers to open science in CAIM with respect to participants' most recently published article. Basic descriptive statistics was generated based on the quantitative data. The survey was completed by 292 participants (3.32% response rate). Results indicate that the majority of participants were "very familiar" (n = 83, 31.68%) or "moderately familiar" (n = 83, 31.68%) with the concept of open science practices while creating their study. Open access publishing was the most familiar to participants, with 51.96% (n = 136) of survey respondents publishing with open access. Despite participants being familiar with other open science practices, the actual implementation of these practices was low. Common barriers participants experienced in implementing open science practices include not knowing where to share the study materials, where to share the data, or not knowing how to make a preprint. Although participants responded that they were familiar with the concept of open science practices, the actual implementation and uses of these practices were low. Barriers included a lack of overall knowledge about open science, and an overall lack of funding or institutional support. Future efforts should aim to explore how to implement methods to improve open science training for CAIM researchers.

A patient-centered approach to dietary supplements for patients with chronic liver disease.

The use of dietary supplements by patients with chronic liver disease is prevalent and rising. Despite the known risks of dietary supplements, including hepatotoxicity, adulteration, and contamination, patients with chronic liver disease often turn to dietary supplements to support their liver and/or overall health but are not necessarily empowered with the information or guidance from their liver practitioner to do so. This article provides practitioners with a framework for balancing the risks and benefits of dietary supplements in patients with chronic liver disease, offering examples of independent resources and certifications to use this framework in clinical practice. We offer 3 common clinical scenarios to highlight how the use of this framework can improve communication and decision-making in clinical practice. By adapting principles from Integrative Medicine, this article advocates for a patient-centered approach to dietary supplements in patients with chronic liver disease, encouraging open dialogue between clinicians and their patients to facilitate informed decision-making and personalized care.

The Case for Data Sharing in Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine Research

The Case for Data Sharing in Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine Research

2024 Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by erosive arthritis, which is an important cause of disability in Chinese population. It is of great significance to formulate and update RA diagnosis and treatment guidelines that meet the standards of international guidelines and clinical practice in China. The update of the Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of RA was initiated by National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, jointly with the Chinese Association of Rheumatology and Immunology Physicians, the Rheumatology and Immunology Professional Committee of Chinese Rehabilitation Medical Association, the Rheumatology and Immunology Professional Committee of Chinese Research Hospital Association, and the Rheumatology and Immunology Branch of Beijing Association of Holistic Integrative Medicine. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach and the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT) checklist were followed to update the guidelines. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on 10 clinical issues which were concerned by Chinese rheumatologists. The aim is to improve the level of diagnosis and standard treatment of RA in China, and to improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients.

Integrative medicine for the treatment of stroke.

Integrative medicine for the treatment of stroke.

Robust Evidence in Integrative Medicine: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions

Integrative Medicine (IM), which includes therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga, and meditation, is gaining attention for managing chronic pain conditions. However, concerns about the quality of evidence supporting the use of these interventions persist. The 5th Annual Jaseng Academic conference 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, themed "Robust Evidence in Integrative Medicine: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions," addressed these concerns by focusing on advancements in study design, evidence synthesis, and open science practices. This conference proceeding summarizes key insights from the conference, emphasizing the role of pragmatic randomized controlled trials (pRCTs) in evaluating real-world effectiveness, and addressing the complexities involved in IM research such as sham controls. The integration of IM therapies into comprehensive pain management strategies (particularly in Korea), supported by government-backed research and policy initiatives was also discussed. Advancements in methodologies were addressed, such as bibliometric analysis, evidence mapping, and the development of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for integrative therapies. These methodologies offer valuable insights but face challenges due to the heterogeneity of IM interventions, and potential synergistic or antagonistic effects when combined with conventional medicine. Finally, the potential of open science to enhance transparency, reporting, and reproducibility in IM was explored, emphasizing the increased role of adherence to reporting guidelines (CONSORT and PRISMA). The future of IM research is built upon the continued efforts of refined study designs, rigorous evidence synthesis, and the integration of open science principles, for a robust and more credible evidence base.

A Protocol for a Bibliometric Analysis of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine Research Preprints

Background: Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) has witnessed significant growth in interest globally. Despite its popularity, TCIM research encounters numerous challenges including funding, methodological issues, and risk of bias. Preprints (scientific manuscripts openly accessible before formal peer review) present a potential solution, and understanding the characteristics and impact of TCIM preprints could offer valuable insights.Methods: A bibliometric analysis will be conducted on all TCIM-related preprints, since inception, and posted on preprint servers with TCIM subject filters. Preprints will be sourced from servers listed in the Accelerating Science and Publication in Biology directory which allow filtering by TCIM-related categories. The preprint server and URLs, preprint server’s disciplinary scope, ownership type, screening processes, external content indexing, permanence of content, preservation of content, and comments will be extracted. The number of TCIM-related preprints yielded, and which TCIM-related term each preprint server uses will be noted. Data will be extracted from each eligible preprint: preprint server, title, DOI, preprint posted date, status of preprint, journal of final publication, final publication date, type of preprint, abstract of preprint, authors, author affiliation(s), country of corresponding author, funders, number of views, number of downloads, number of comments, number of citations, number of versions, and keywords. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the bibliometric characteristics, and trend analysis will identify publication patterns over time.Conclusion: This protocol was developed for a study to identify trends in TCIM research dissemination, and contribute to a better understanding of how preprints are being used to advance the field

Kicking Newcastle Disease in Poultry: The Therapeutic Potential of a Herbal Blend of Christmas Melon, Aloe Vera, Chili, and Ash Extract

Newcastle Disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral infection that causes substantial mortality and economic losses in poultry, particularly in resource-limited settings like rural Uganda. This study explores the therapeutic potential of a herbal blend composed of Christmas melon, aloe vera, chili, and ash extract as an alternative or adjunct treatment for ND in poultry. Grounded in Integrative Medicine Theory (IMT), which emphasizes the synergy between conventional and traditional medical approaches, the study investigates the effectiveness of this herbal remedy in both treating and preventing ND. The results, based on personal case studies and a larger preventive trial, demonstrate a high recovery rate in affected birds and successful prevention in exposed flocks. Notably, six out of seven birds treated for ND showed full recovery, and no new ND cases emerged in the preventive trial involving 1,654 layers. However, a slight decrease in egg production was observed in treated layers, signaling a potential side effect that warrants further research. This study underscores the viability of herbal remedies in managing ND in areas where conventional treatments may be limited or inaccessible, providing a holistic, farmer-centered, and cost-effective solution to poultry health management in rural African settings. While promising, further research is needed to optimize dosage, assess long-term safety, and minimize adverse effects.

An Integrative Pause for Healthcare Personnel Challenged by the War: A Personal Perspective.

As the war in the Middle East intensifies, the support and well-being of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) become paramount to sustaining an effective healthcare system capable of serving the diverse Israeli population. In collaboration with the integrative medicine (IM) team, we initiated a treatment intervention with the goal to relieve war-related HCPs concerns. This trilogy of narratives highlights the multifaceted experiences of HCPs in Israel during times of conflict. The director of internal medicine ward with his conventional medical and leadership expertise, provides stability and order. The IM practitioner offers holistic healing and care. The nurse reflects on her experience of being cared for. These narratives illustrate the adaptability and resilience of healthcare professionals who navigate their roles with dedication and compassion, ensuring that amidst the strife, the human spirit remains cared for and supported.

Exploring the association between phytopharmaceutical use and antibiotic prescriptions in upper respiratory infections: results from a German cohort study evaluating the impact of naturopathy qualifications of general practitioners using routine data.

Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health threat, exacerbated by inappropriate prescribing practices, particularly for upper respiratory infections that are predominantly viral. Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM), including the use of phytopharmaceuticals, offers a potential strategy to reduce antibiotic prescriptions. This study aimed to describe the impact of General Practitioners' (GPs) naturopathy (NP) qualifications and phytopharmaceutical prescriptions on the rate of antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory infections (RTI). We conducted a retrospective cohort study using routine data from the CONTinuous morbidity registration Epidemiologic NeTwork (CONTENT), which includes over 200,000 patients across four federal states in Germany. The study included data from n = 36 GPs who recorded at least one ICD-10 diagnosis of RTI. Antibiotic and phytopharmaceutical prescriptions were identified and analyzed through mixed-effects logistic regression models to explore the influence of GPs' naturopathy qualifications and phytopharmaceutical use on antibiotic prescribing patterns. The study included 40,344 patients managed by 36 GPs. Prescriptions of phytopharmaceuticals significantly reduced the likelihood of antibiotic use (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.45-0.52). Additionally, holding a naturopathy qualification was associated with lower rates of antibiotic prescriptions (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.69-0.78). The interaction between naturopathy qualification and phytopharmaceutical prescriptions also showed a significant effect (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.27-1.62). Patient's year of birth influenced prescribing patterns indicating a reduction of antibiotic prescriptions for younger patients, while patients' gender did not reveal a significant effect. Prescriptions of phytopharmaceuticals were significantly associated with a decrease antibiotic prescriptions among GPs, especially when combined with naturopathy qualifications. Training in naturopathic approaches could enhance antibiotic stewardship efforts in primary care settings, suggesting that broader integration of CIM elements into medical training could be beneficial in mitigating antibiotic resistance.