Noninvasive Complementary Therapy Research Articles

The Efficacy and Safety of Different Noninvasive Therapies in the Treatment of Central Poststroke Pain (CPSP): A Network Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of noninvasive therapies in the treatment of central poststroke pain (CPSP) by network meta-analysis and to provide an evidence-based basis for clinical practice. PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched for clinical randomized controlled studies on noninvasive therapy for CPSP. The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of each database to July 2022. The bias risk assessment tool recommended by Cochrane was used to evaluate the quality of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Stata 14.0 was used for network meta-analysis, and Review Manager 5.3 software was used for traditional meta-analysis. Twelve RCTs involving 8 treatment schemes and 641 patients were finally included. The results of the network meta-analysis showed the following rankings in visual analysis scale (VAS): super laser injury on stellate ganglia (SLI) > transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) > music therapy (MT) > repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) > continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) > transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) > common therapy (CT). The total clinical efficiency ranked as follows: psychological training of mindfulness (PT) > rTMS > CT. Clinical adverse reactions ranked as follows: rTMS > MT > CT > SLI. Noninvasive complementary therapy can effectively alleviate the pain of CPSP patients, and the efficacy and safety of SLI are relatively significant. However, due to the limitations of this study, the efficacy ranking cannot fully explain the advantages and disadvantages of clinical efficacy. In the future, more multicentre, large sample, double-blind clinical randomized controlled trials are needed to supplement and demonstrate the results of this study.

Auricularia polytricha: A promising medicinal mushroom for combination therapy of colorectal cancer and understanding its potential mechanism of action

The Global Burden of Cancer (GLOBOCAN) revealed that there were 1,931,590 new cases and 935,173 deaths due to colorectal cancer in 2020. Treatment for colorectal cancer tends to be invasive and costly. Therefore, further research is needed on non-invasive complementary therapies that are safe and can be used to reduce the probability of recurrence in colorectal cancer patients at an affordable cost. The systematic literature review synthesized resources and presented them in a narrative review. Four databases, including PubMed, Research Gate, ProQuest, and Science Direct, were used to conduct the systematic reviews by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria. In this review, 36 articles were analyzed descriptively to help describe and summarize the data constructively. The results showed that complementary colorectal cancer therapy with Auricularia polytricha which contains active compounds, such as flavonoids, phenols, and beta-glucans, can increase the expression of miRNA-9, miRNA-217, miRNA-210, miRNA200c, and miRNA-132 which can improve the prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Foot Reflexology: Recent Research Trends and Prospects

Foot reflexology is a non-invasive complementary therapy that is increasingly being accepted by modern people in recent years. To understand the research trends and prospects of foot reflexology in the past 31 years, this study used the Web of Science core collection as the data source and two visualization tools, COOC and VOSviewer, to analyze the literature related to the field of foot reflexology from 1991 to 2021. This study found that the number of articles published in the field of foot reflexology has been increasing year by year, and the top three journals with the most articles are Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Therapies in Medicine, and the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The top three most prolific authors are Wyatt, Sikorskii, and Victorson, and the core institutions in the field of foot reflexology are Michigan State University, Northwestern University, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and the University of Exeter. Foot reflexology has been shown to have a moderating effect on anxiety, fatigue, and cancer, and is a topic of ongoing and future research. This study uses this bibliometric analysis of foot reflexology literature to provide an overview of prior knowledge and a reference direction for modern preventive medicine.

The Effect of Acupressure on Pain Intensity and Activities of Daily Living of Elderly Women

Background: Chronic pain is one of the most common and serious problems in old age that if not controlled, leads to reduced daily activities. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of acupressure on pain and daily activities in elderly women. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design, which was conducted on 80 elderly women who were referred to the health centers of Qazvin, Iran. The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=40) and control (n=40) groups. The data were collected by visual analogue scale (VAS) and barthel index (BI). The experimental group received ten sessions of acupressure for three consecutive weeks on the related acupoints (LIV3, UB62, SP9, GB34, UB17, GB30, UB (UB25-UB11), GB20, GB21). Each acupoint was massaged for one minute in a circular motion until the elderly could bear it. The control group received sham acupressure. Post-test was performed one week after the end of ten intervention sessions. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test and independent t-test using SPSS software v. 20. The significance level was set at P<0.05. Results: Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the level of pain intensity (P=0.352) and daily activities (P=0.420) between the groups. After the intervention, the pain intensity of the subjects in the intervention group decreased (P<0.001) and their daily activities improved compared to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the findings, acupressure is an affordable, low-cost, easy, and non-invasive complementary therapy, which is recommended to reduce pain intensity and promote activities of daily living in older women.

Exploring the effect of neurofeedback on postcancer cognitive impairment and fatigue: A pilot feasibility study.

Postcancer cognitive impairment (PCCI) and fatigue are adverse effects that often persist following cancer treatment, and impact quality of life. The study purpose was to evaluate feasibility and effect of neurofeedback on cognitive functioning and fatigue in cancer survivors. Specifically, we aimed to test feasibility of recruitment strategies and our study protocol including outcome measures. This pilot feasibility study used a 10-week wait-list design. Participants served as their own controls and received neurofeedback training twice a week for 10 weeks. The sample consisted of breast cancer survivors from Kingston, Ontario (n = 16). Outcomes were assessed using validated, self-report scales and neuropsychological tests before, during, and after neurofeedback. The neurofeedback protocol was feasible and resulted in significant decreases in perceived cognitive deficits, fatigue, sleep, and psychological symptoms. Neurofeedback may be an effective, non-invasive complementary therapy for PCCI in breast cancer survivors.

Evaluation of Local Chromotherapy on Carrageenaninduced Acute Inflammatory Pain in Rats

Abstract Introduction: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience, which follows a harmful stimulus. In conventional medicine pain is treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioid analgesics and local anesthetics. Chromotherapy is a noninvasive complementary therapy, which uses the colors of the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum for the treatment of pathologies such as inflammations, dermatological changes and respiratory tract disorders. The mechanism of treatment would be based on the fact that the body is able to absorb electromagnetic waves at different wavelengths, which interact with cells and substances producing a beneficial effect for the patient. This would happen due to the fact that electrons leave from a lower energy level to a higher one, the moment light reaches the tissues, and thus begins a cascade of biochemical reactions that lead to the improvement of the pathogenic picture, which remains until the electron returns to its normal energy level. That would be the theory of direct effect. The indirect effect theory proposes that tissues would not absorb light, but would react to chemical stimuli produced by photons, so that they would stimulate the release of hormones and anti-inflammatory mediators through photoreceptors that would be present in cells, which convert the electromagnetic wave into an electrical stimulus, passing through the terminations and being distributed throughout the body. These photoreceptors would be present especially in the retina. OBJECTIVE: evaluation of the antinociceptive action of chromotherapy, specifically evaluate seven colors of the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum using a pain model in rats. Methods: Wistar rats were used, divided into 8 groups, in which carrageenan was applied to the paw at a dose of 250 μg/animal to induce inflammatory pain. After 3 hours until the fourth hour, the rats were submitted to the nociceptive paw compression test every five minutes, and the pressure threshold for the occurrence of paw removal was measured in grams. Before starting the experiment, it was verified whether the effect of containment would influence the nociceptive response of the animal. All conditions of the chromotherapy experiment were reproduced, except for the fact that light was not applied. Results: There is no statistically significant difference between the responses of the animal with and without the containment in the pressure stimuli applied. The experiments show that the acute application, for 20 minutes, of the colors blue, red, green, orange, yellow, violet and white did not alter carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia in rats, and no significant difference was indicated between the values of the nociceptive threshold of the exposed groups and their respective controls. Conclusion: chromotherapy was not effective in the treatment of acute inflammatory pain, in the conditions described in this study. Keywords Chromotherapy; Antinociception; Inflammatory Pain

Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on quality of recovery and pain after abdominal hysterectomy.

Background and Aims:Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a noninvasive complementary therapy for postoperative pain management. The effect of TENS on quality of recovery (QoR) and pain treatment in the early postoperative period is not well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TENS on postoperative QoR and pain in patients who had undergone a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH + BSO).Material and Methods:Fifty-two patients were randomized into two groups: control (sham TENS treatment) and TENS (TENS treatment). QoR, dynamic pain, and static pain were evaluated after surgery.Results:The QoR score was significantly higher in the TENS group as compared with that in the control group (P = 0.029). Pain scores during coughing (dynamic pain) were significantly less in TENS group compared to control group (P <0.001). However, there was no between-group difference in pain scores at rest (static pain) or total analgesic consumption (P = 0.63 or P = 0.83, respectively).Conclusion:TENS may be a valuable tool to improve patients' QoR and dynamic pain scores after TAH + BSO.

Non-invasive Complementary Therapies in Managing Musculoskeletal Pains and in Preventing Surgery

Musculoskeletal disorders are disabling diseases which affect work performance, thereby affecting the quality of life of individuals. Pharmacological and surgical management are the most recommended treatments. However, non-invasive physical therapies are said to be effective, for which the evidence is limited. To study the effect of non-invasive physical interventions in preventing surgery among patients recommended for surgery for musculoskeletal complaints, who attended sports and fitness medicine centres in India. SPARRC (Sports Performance Assessment Research Rehabilitation Counselling) Institute) is a physical therapy centre with 13 branches spread all over India. This Institute practices a combination of manual therapies to treat musculoskeletal complaints. Descriptive cohort study involving the review of case records of the patients enrolled from June 2013 to July 2017, followed by the telephone survey of the patients who have completed treatment. Combination of physical therapies such as myofascial trigger release with icing, infra-red therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, stretch release, aqua therapy, taping, and acupuncture were employed to reduce the pain and regain functionalities. Self-reported pains were measured using visual analogue scale at different levels of therapy-preand post-therapy and post-rehabilitation. In total, 909 patients were studied, of whom 152 (17%) patients completed the treatment protocol. Majority of patients presented with knee and low-back pain. The reduction in pain due to the treatment protocol in terms of mean VAS score from baseline to post-therapy and baseline to post-rehabilitation was statistically significant (p value = .00). Among those contacted post-rehabilitation, 82 patients remained without surgery, and the median surgery-free time was around two years. Thus the study concluded that non-invasive physical therapies may prevent or postpone surgeries for musculoskeletal complaints.

Effects of training with a neuro-mechano stimulator rehabilitation bicycle on functional recovery and paired-reflex depression of the soleus in individuals with incomplete paralysis: a proof-of-principle study

Aim: The present study describes the training effects of a novel motorized bicycle-like device for individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury.Methods: Participants were five individuals with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (56 ± 7 years). Four of five participants received two 30-min sessions of training: one with, and one without, mechanical stimulation on the plantar surface of the foot; soleus paired H-reflex depression was examined before and after each session. Three of five participants received 24 sessions of 30-min of training (long-training). Following the long-training, balance, walking and spasticity improvements were assessed using validated clinical outcome measures, in addition to the H-reflex assessment.Results: One cycling session with mechanical stimulation yielded 14% and 32% more reflex depression in participants with moderate spasticity (n = 2/4). The same trend was not observed in non-spastic participants (n = 2/4). All participants who participated in the long-training had spasticity and showed reduced spasticity, improved walking speed, endurance and balance.Conclusions: Overall, participants with spasticity showed increased soleus H-reflex suppression after one training session with mechanical stimulation and reduced spasticity scores after long training. We interpret this as evidence that the training influenced both presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibitory mechanisms acting on soleus motoneurons. Therefore, this training has the potential to be a non-invasive complementary therapy to reduce spasticity after incomplete spinal cord injury.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02554058.

Effects of intermittent hypoxia training on leukocyte pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK-1) mRNA expression and blood insulin level in prediabetes patients

Intermittent hypoxia training/treatment (IHT) is an emerging therapeutic approach to alleviate chronic diseases, such as diabetes. The present study investigated the effects of IHT on blood leucocyte pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK-1) mRNA expression and its relationship with the changes in blood insulin level. Seven adult healthy volunteers and 11 prediabetic patients participated in this study. A 3-week course of IHT consisted of a 40-min session of 4 cycles of 5-min 12% O2 and 5-min room air breathing per day, 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks (i.e., total 9 sessions of IHT). Plasma insulin levels and leukocyte PDK-1 mRNA expression were determined at various time points either under fasting condition or following oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Correlation between the IHT-induced changes in PDK-1 mRNA and insulin or glucose levels in the same serological samples was analyzed. At pre-IHT baseline, PDK-1 mRNA expression was two times higher in prediabetes than control subjects. IHT resulted in significant augmentation in PDK-1 mRNA expression (> twofold) in prediabetes at the end of 3-week IHT and remained elevated 1month after IHT, which was correlated with a significantly reduced insulin release and lower blood glucose after glucose loading with OGTT. IHT can trigger beneficial effects in normalizing blood insulin levels in prediabetic patients under oral glucose load, which were closely correlated with an enhanced mRNA expression of PDK-1 in leukocytes. Further clinical trials are warranted to validate the utility of IHT as a non-invasive complementary therapy against diabetes-associated pathologies.

Use of Seva Stress Release Acupressure to Reduce Pain, Stress, and Fatigue in Patients Hospitalized for Cancer Treatment.

Patients undergoing treatment for cancer often experience stress, fatigue, and pain during their treatment. Medical management of these symptoms can cause additional adverse effects, but it is possible that noninvasive complementary therapies may be able to reduce these symptoms without unwanted adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and impact of the Seva Stress Release acupressure protocol on stress, fatigue, pain, and vital signs of patients hospitalized for cancer treatment. Thirty patients receiving cancer treatment and experiencing stress, fatigue, and pain were recruited for the study. After obtaining informed consent, baseline data (survey and vital signs) were obtained, followed by administration of the Seva Stress Release. After the intervention, vital signs were obtained, and patients completed 2 additional surveys. After Seva, patient stress, fatigue, pain, heart rate, and respirations were significantly decreased (P = .000). Sixty-six percent of participants experienced symptom relief for at least 1 to 4 hours. Qualitative findings also indicated that patients reported better sleep and mental clarity after the intervention. The Seva protocol could be taught to nurses and be used as an independent intervention for patients experiencing adverse effects of cancer treatment, to promote comfort and reduce stress and fatigue.

A supportive care intervention for people with metastatic melanoma being treated with immunotherapy: a pilot study assessing feasibility, perceived benefit, and acceptability

Increasing numbers of metastatic melanoma (MM) patients are receiving immunotherapy treatment, including pembrolizumab, and the impact on their well-being is underexplored. To assess the feasibility of a multimodal supportive care program to MM patients being treated with pembrolizumab. This pre-post-test feasibility cohort study recruited MM participants treated with pembrolizumab: (i) supportive care intervention with usual care and (ii) usual care. The intervention comprised comprehensive medical assessment by supportive care physician (SCP), exercise physiologist (EP), and dietitian then a tailored supportive care program. Programs included exercise, dietary advice, non-invasive complementary therapies, and psychology consultation. Outcome measures included adherence, patient-reported symptoms, anxiety and depression, and toxicity. Descriptive data are reported. We recruited 28 participants: 13 intervention and 15 control; three did not complete the study. Most were male, with median age 66 (range 42-85) years. All intervention participants completed baseline assessments with SCP, EP, and dietitian. Two missed follow-up with EP or dietitian. Symptoms most troubling at baseline were as follows: fatigue (n = 6), sleep (n = 6), general aches and pains (n = 5), and memory (n = 4). All intervention participants were prescribed 16 exercise sessions; 8 (50%) completed all; overall exercise adherence was 85%. Integrative therapies were accessed by 85% (11) participants. Immunotherapy-related adverse event rates were low and SCP consultation identified symptoms not captured by CTCAE 4.0. A holistic supportive care intervention tailored to individual needs is feasible. The symptom burden in MM patients was low. Further investigation of the intervention is warranted, focused on populations with higher symptom burden to improve outcomes.

The effect of foot reflexotherapy on the dynamics of cortical oscillatory waves in healthy humans: An EEG study

BackgroundFoot reflexotherapy is a noninvasive complementary therapy that has gained considerable application in several fields of human endeavor. The therapy is used to relieve the symptoms of several ailments. For instance, foot reflexotherapy when applied to the cortical areas of the left or right foot relieves pain and stress. However, the electrophysiological mechanisms of the effect of foot reflexotherapy on cortical activity are not completely understood. While it has been shown that foot reflexotherapy exert positive effects on brain functions, little is known about the effects of this therapy on cortical activities as recorded with electroencephalogram (EEG) in healthy humans. Cortical activity is widely investigated with EEG, a noninvasive recording that is used to study brain activity in different functional states and conditions. AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflexotherapy on EEG rhythms in healthy humans. Material and methodsEEG recording before and after reflexological therapy was carried out in seven healthy right-handed males who volunteered for the study. ResultsAnalysis of EEG data revealed activation offrontal cortex that resulted to significant increase in beta and gamma spectral powers after foot reflexotherapy (p ˂ 0.05). ConclusionFoot reflexotherapy is associated with increase in spectral powers in beta and gamma frequency bands. Therefore cortical beta and gamma waves of the EEG could be used as measures of functional activation of the brain, related to foot reflexotherapy.

The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: randomised controlled trial.

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation has been known to attain improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1seconds, physical activity, and quality of life. However, information about the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is quite limited. A single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Data were collected between August 2013-May 2014. Eighty-two patients who were hospitalised with a diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were randomly assigned to a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group receiving transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment for 20 seance over the acupuncture points with pharmacotherapy or placebo group receiving the same treatment without electrical current output from the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device. Pulmonary functional test, six-minute walking distance, dyspnoea and fatigue scale, and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores were assessed pre- and postprogram. The program started at the hospital by the researcher was sustained in the patient's home by the caregiver. All patients were able to complete the program, despite the exacerbation. The 20 seance transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation program provided clinically significant improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1seconds 21ml, 19·51% but when compared with the placebo group, the difference was insignificant (p>0·05). The six-minute walking distance increased by 48·10m more in the placebo group (p<0·05). There were no significant differences between the two groups' St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, dyspnoea and fatigue score (p>0·05). Adding transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy to pharmacotherapy in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease provided clinical improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1seconds and add benefit in exercise capacity, but no significant effect on the other outcomes measured. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can be used as a non-invasive complementary therapy due to its beneficial effects on forced expiratory volume in 1seconds and exercise capacity in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Bowenwork for symptom management of women breast cancer survivors with lymphedema: A pilot study

PurposeThe objectives of this pilot study for women breast cancer survivors with lymphedema was 1) to evaluate recruitment rates, retention rates, adherence to Bowenwork (a noninvasive complementary therapy involving gentle muscle movements), home exercises, safety and comfort; 2) determine the effect of Bowenwork on quality of life (QOL), functional status, perceived pain, range of motion (ROM), arm/ankle circumference (to assess for localized and systemic changes). MethodsParticipants received 4 Bowenwork sessions with home exercises. Initial and post assessments included QOL, functional status, and pain. ROM, arm/ankle circumference and pain measures were recorded before each session. ResultsTwenty-one women enrolled in the study; 95% completion; adherence 100%; home exercises 95%; no adverse events. The intervention improved mental health (SF-36-MCS); breast cancer-related functional (FACT-B); increased ROM; reduced arm circumferences. P value set at <0.05. ConclusionsThe Bowenwork intervention was safe and acceptable for women breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.

Using auriculotherapy for osteoarthritic knee among elders: a double-blinded randomised feasibility study.

BackgroundOsteoarthritic knee (OA knee) is a common condition in the elderly. Exploration of non-invasive complementary therapies for OA knee is warranted given the limitations of pharmacologic therapies. Auriculotherapy (AT) is a therapeutic method in which specific points on the auricle are stimulated to treat various disorders of the body, and the therapeutic value and synergistic effect of laser auriculotherapy (LAT) when combined with magneto-auriculotherapy (MAT) merits further investigation.MethodsThis study adopted a double-blinded four-arm randomized placebo design. The aims of study are (1) to assess the feasibility of AT among elders with OA knee in a future large-scale study, including the use of blinding in subjects and evaluators, acceptance of treatment protocol, and estimating the effect size and attrition rate; and (2) to evaluate the preliminary effect of AT in elders with OA knee. Subjects were randomly divided into four groups with different modes of AT with/without placebo objects. A total of 43 subjects completed the 6-week intervention and post-assessment. Assessments included a numerical rating scale of pain (NRS), the timed-up-and-go test (TUGT), and standard goniometer measurements during knee flexion and extension, Kruskal–Wallis test was used to evaluate differences among groups, and Wilcoxon sign-ranked test for examining within-group comparison.ResultsPreliminary results indicated the absence of differences in the NRS, TUGT, and active/passive knee flexion and extension at baseline, as well as post-therapy, between the four groups. Even though the differences of these parameters between groups were not significant, the relative differences of NRS and TUGT in subjects who received combined MAT plus LAT were higher than those treated with MAT or LAT alone, or the placebo group. Four of the six parameters demonstrated significant within group differences in subjects who received MAT and/or LAT, whereas no significant differences were found in the placebo group.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the AT protocol adopted in this study for elders with OA knee is feasible and could be applied in future larger-scale study. Larger sample size should be considered in a future trial to determine the causal relationship between treatment and effect.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02352636. Registered on 23 January 2015.

An Initial Study Using Healing Touch for Women Undergoing a Breast Biopsy.

To determine if a noninvasive complementary therapy, Healing Touch, would benefit women undergoing diagnostic procedures for the determination of breast cancer. Women often experience high levels of fear and anxiety during this diagnostic period. A randomized controlled pilot study. An out-patient clinic specializing in breast care management was used. Seventy-three women age 18 to 85 years old participated, with 31 in the control group of standard care and 42 in the intervention group receiving Healing Touch, a noninvasive energy therapy. A specific technique, magnetic clearing, was provided by a practitioner for 15 minutes prior to the biopsy procedure. Both the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Coping Resources Inventory were used preprocedurally and the following day to assess changes. A mixed analysis of variance indicated that State Anxiety for the Healing Touch group showed a statistically significant reduction of anxiety that was sustained into the following day, F(2, 142) = 10.94, p < .001. For Trait Anxiety, there was a significant change pre-and postintervention to the day after, F(2, 142) = 5.15, p < .007. The Coping Resources Inventory had significant changes in two subcategories, Emotional, F(2, 142) = 6.10, p = .003, and the Spiritual/Philosophical, F(2, 142) = 6.10, p < .001, in the Healing Touch group. Healing Touch may have benefit in reducing anxiety from diagnostic breast procedures.

The involvement of cutaneous receptors in the biological effects of electromagnetic millimeter waves

The involvement of peripheral nerve terminations in the mechanisms of action of electromagnetic millimeter waves (mmW) was assessed. It is currently thought that mmW could be used in noninvasive complementary therapy because of their analgesic effect. However, the mechanisms of their antinociceptive effect and non-ionizing radiation are the subjects of controversy. The mechanisms of interaction of mmW and the cutaneous tissue have not been elucidated. We observed mast cell degranulation at the place of mmW action, a decrease of chronaxie and Turck reflex time, an increase in the number of afferent impulses after sciatic nerve at stimulation, as well as an increase electrocardiogram R-R interval of isolated frog heart after application of mmW. Based on these investigations, we propose that electromagnetic waves of millimeter length modify, through indirect mechanisms, the excitability and reactivity of peripheral nerve terminations.

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Menstrual Symptoms and Nitric Oxide for Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure on relieving menstrual symptoms and decreasing nitric oxide (NO) for women with primary dysmenorrhea. This was a randomized clinical trial comparing the effects of auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method and placebo adhesive patch. Settings included colleges in northern and central Taiwan. Serum CA-125 testing was used as a screening test for primary dysmenorrhea (<35 mg/dL). The study included 36 college females randomized to acupressure group, 35 to control group. The acupressure group received auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method on liver (CO12), kidney (CO10), and endocrine (CO18) acupoints. The control group had a plain adhesive patch placed on the same acupoints with no seed attached. Acupressure protocol included massaging 15 times on each acupoint, 3 times a day, for a total of 20 days. Primary: Short-form Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQs). Secondary: blood sample of NO. Assessments of MDQs and NO were performed at baseline and within the first 2 days of their next menses (after completion of 20 days of acupressure). In the acupressure group, the overall menstrual symptoms (95% confidence interval [CI] = -49.8 to -6.5, effect size [ES] = 0.43, p = 0.01) and two subscales, menstrual pain (95% CI = -16.4 -to -2.2, ES = 0.45, p = 0.01) and negative affects (95% CI = -11.9-2.0, ES = 0.38, p = 0.04), revealed that menstrual symptoms decreased significantly after auricular acupressure by the seed-pressure method. The ES for the MDQs were in favor of the auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method. NO level increased in the acupressure group, although this difference did not achieve statistical significance (p > 0.05). This study supports the effects of auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method in improving menstrual symptoms, and offers a noninvasive complementary therapy for women with primary dysmenorrhea.

The effectiveness of non-invasive complementary therapies in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting following abdominal laparoscopic surgery in women: a systematic review.

Background Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common adverse events following surgery and anaesthesia. The reported incidence is particularly high in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery, ranging from 40-77%. PONV can be very distressing for patients and can result in unplanned readmission in ambulatory surgery. Antiemetics are only partially effective for both prophylaxis and treatment, can have adverse effects and in the case of the newer medications are expensive. The effectiveness of a number of complementary therapies in reducing the incidence of PONV continues to be investigated, given their relative ease of application, relatively low cost, lack of significant side effects, and patient interest and acceptability. Objectives The objective of this review was to determine from the available evidence the most effective non-invasive complementary therapies for reducing the incidence and/or severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing abdominal laparoscopies. Search strategy A literature search was undertaken using: relevant health care databases (eg. AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE/PubMed, Current Contents, Science Direct); databases of reports, theses, and conference papers (eg Dissertation Abstracts, Conference Papers Index, National Research Register [UK]); and major sources of evidence-based practice information (e.g. Cochrane Library, Agency for Healthcare Research Quality, and clinical trials databases or registers) between the years 1980 and 2007. In addition reference lists of relevant journal articles and selected web sites were checked. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies investigating the effects of non-invasive complementary interventions on postoperative nausea and/or vomiting, and the need for rescue medication following abdominal laparoscopic surgery in women were considered for inclusion in the review. Trials with only a ‘no-treatment’ control group were not included. Data collection and analysis Assessment of the eligibility of studies for inclusion in the review and the methodological quality of eligible studies, and data extraction from included studies were undertaken independently by two reviewers. Odds ratios and relative risks for dichotomous data and a weighted mean difference for continuous data were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Where pooling of data was inappropriate, studies were considered separately and a narrative summary reported. Main results Twenty-one studies involving a total of 2286 participants were included in the review. Thirteen studies investigated the effect of four interventions on PONV following gynaecological laparoscopy: ginger, acupressure, guided imagery and music. Eight studies examined the effect of two interventions on PONV following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: stimulation of acupoints by various means and oral carbohydrate rich beverage. Six trials with a total of 554 participants investigated the effectiveness of varying dosages of ginger powder (Zingiber officinale) following gynaecological laparoscopy. There is some limited evidence to support providing ginger in doses between 1g and 1.5g to prevent or reduce the level of nausea postoperatively and to reduce the need for rescue medication whereas there is currently no evidence to support either a lower or higher dosage, i.e. 1.5g. Ginger in this dosage range (1-1.5g) has not been demonstrated to be effective in preventing vomiting. Four trials, with a total of 399 participants, investigated the effectiveness of acupressure as prophylactic treatment for PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynaecological procedures; two using the P6 acupoint on the lower arm and two using the Korean K-K9 acupoint on the hand. There is evidence that stimulation of the K-K9 acupoint is effective, however the evidence for stimulating the P6 acupoint in this group of patients is equivocal. Six trials involving 719 participants investigated the effectiveness of stimulation of acupoints in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There is some evidence to suggest that acupressure or acustimulation at P6 may be somewhat more effective in reducing nausea and vomiting following this surgical procedure TRUNCATED AT 600 WORDS.