European Journal of Integrative Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Rethinking “Evidence” in Traditional Medicine “Integration”","authors":"Amandine Nachtergael ,&nbsp;Katrin Solhdju","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper explores the concept of integration of traditional medicine through a multidisciplinary approach that combines medical humanities and pharmaceutical sciences. While it aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) objective of fostering a harmonious and functional coexistence between conventional medicine and other therapeutic practices to ensure optimal patient care, this paper critically examines the underlying rationale of the WHO’s strategy for achieving this integration. This logic is best illustrated by two of the central concepts that structure the WHO’s discourse on T&amp;CM<span><span>¹</span></span>: Integration and Evidence-Based. Both inform research-funding decisions, most notably in the cooperation for development sector, and have a decisive influence on public health policies. In most parts of the world, the necessity for an evidence-based integration of T&amp;CM functions like a mantra, rarely questioned by researchers within the medical or the social sciences, or by governmental and non-governmental actors. Consequently, the present paper problematizes the “evidence-based integration” of “traditional” medicines by challenging some of the key assumptions underpinning these concepts. In doing so, it aims to identify and highlight several elements that may serve as guides on the way to ethically and epistemologically more sound frameworks for the co-existence of modern and traditional medicines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102603"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Non-pharmacological interventions for reducing pain and anxiety in women experiencing infertility undergoing hysterosalpingography: A systematic review without meta-analysis","authors":"Shu-Hsien Fang ,&nbsp;Ping-Shaou Yu ,&nbsp;Bih-O Lee ,&nbsp;Chien-Jen Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a common diagnostic procedure for infertility but often causes pain and anxiety. Non-pharmacological interventions offer potential alternatives to pharmacological pain management.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines where a search strategy was applied to extract articles from included databases: PubMed, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, DynaMed, Clinical Key, MEDLINE, and Airiti Library, published before December 2024. The Cochrane RoB (Risk of Bias) 2.0 tool was used to assess the risk of bias, and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria were applied to evaluate study evidence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria, covering educational counseling, virtual reality (VR), music therapy, mobile-assisted education (MAEC), and acupoint warming therapy. Educational counseling improved patient preparedness and reduced pain, technology-assisted interventions diverted attention, and acupoint warming therapy with music provided dual physiological and psychological benefits. It was also observed that anxiety was reduced in three related articles although study quality varied, with some limitations in blinding and sample size.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Non-pharmacological interventions reduced pain (low certainty) and anxiety (very low certainty) during hysterosalpingography. Concerns remain about the methodological quality, small sample sizes, heterogeneity in the interventions, and for anxiety outcomes, inconsistent effects. Further high-quality studies are needed to determine the optimal application, refine implementation, and support evidence-based application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102609"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The efficacy of hypnosis in chronic low back pain: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","authors":"Debasis Behera ,&nbsp;Prem Venkatesan ,&nbsp;Mark P Jensen ,&nbsp;Dharmanand Balebail Gopalakrishna ,&nbsp;Abhishek Patil ,&nbsp;Vani Lakshmi R","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders that significantly affects the quality of life of those with this condition. Clinical hypnosis is a psychological intervention that can be used to reduce the intensity and impact of chronic pain. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have concluded that clinical hypnosis is effective for general chronic pain conditions; however, meta-analytic research on its impact specifically on CLBP remains scarce. This study protocol describes a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the efficacy of hypnosis in reducing pain and associated symptoms in individuals with CLBP, as investigated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>The review will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A comprehensive search of eight electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PEDro, ScieELO, and LILACS) will be conducted to retrieve relevant studies published up to the date that we conduct the primary analyses, and then repeated just before we submit the article (with any additional articles identified incorporated into the review). Studies with RCTs, involving adults with CLBP (≥3 months), where hypnosis intervention was used as monotherapy or an adjunct therapy, will be eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome will be pain intensity, while secondary outcomes will include disability, sleep disturbances, and adverse events. Selection of studies, extraction of relevant data, and assessing risk of bias using Cochrane risk of bias tool-2 will be performed by two independent reviewers. Any discrepancies will be addressed through mutual discussion or by consulting a third independent reviewer if required. Meta-analysis will be performed using standardized mean differences for pain and secondary outcomes. Heterogeneity will be assessed and subgroup analyses are planned.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The review will provide an extensive overview of the available evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis on individuals with CLBP and identify knowledge. The results are intended to support the development of clinical recommendations and assist healthcare providers who are considering incorporating clinical hypnosis into interdisciplinary pain management strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Trial Registration</h3><div>PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251016398 on 29th March 2025.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102605"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementation of cognitive health interventions for schizophrenia: A survey of mental health clinicians’ perceived challenges and enablers","authors":"Tina Stone ,&nbsp;Alison Short ,&nbsp;Caroline Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102604","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102604","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia is persistent and can lead to functional disability and a reduced quality of life. Although cognitive remediation is recommended in clinical guidelines, access in Australia remains inconsistent, and implementation and participation barriers limit its effectiveness. Cognitively stimulating activities, particularly music therapy, could offer an alternative approach, although limited research has examined its feasibility within Australian mental health services. This exploratory mixed-methods survey aimed to understand mental health clinicians’ perspectives on: (1) the cognitive health interventions available within their services, (2) the challenges and facilitators involved in implementing these interventions, and (3) the potential for using music therapy as a cognitively stimulating activity for adults with schizophrenia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed methods purpose-designed online survey was conducted across six months with qualified mental health clinicians in Australia. Snowball sampling was utilised for recruitment. Quantitative data were analysed with descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses underwent a five-stage reflexive thematic analysis. Both types of data were analysed simultaneously using an integrated approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 37 clinicians completed the survey. More than half of respondents (56.7 %) reported that cognitive remediation programs were available at their mental health service, while 89.3 % noted the availability of cognitively stimulating activities. The main implementation challenges reported were discharge timing, lack of training, staffing issues, insufficient resources, and difficulties engaging consumers. Enablers included applying evidence-based practice, personalising interventions, and prioritising recovery goals. Participants viewed music therapy as helpful for improving attention, memory, and communication.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings of this study show that clinicians value cognitive health interventions for schizophrenia but face significant implementation challenges, particularly a lack of training, insufficient resources, and staffing constraints. Music therapy is seen as a promising cognitively stimulating activity that may help overcome accessibility, engagement, and resource barriers. Further research is necessary to assess the feasibility of using music therapy to support adults with schizophrenia in improving their cognitive skills.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102604"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of acupuncture therapy on pregnancy outcome of patients with the first frozen-thawed embryo transfer: A retrospective cohort study","authors":"Shu-Yuan Chen ,&nbsp;Yu-Quan Mao ,&nbsp;Yang-Ying Xu ,&nbsp;Duan Li ,&nbsp;Shan-Shan Li ,&nbsp;Miao Huang ,&nbsp;Yu-Jie Li ,&nbsp;Xue-Yu Wang ,&nbsp;Yu-Peng Jia ,&nbsp;Xiao-Wen Liu ,&nbsp;Cui-Fang Hao ,&nbsp;Xin Du","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Acupuncture therapy has been widely used as a complementary and alternative treatment for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) procedures in clinical practice worldwide. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the impact of acupuncture therapy on the pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing their first FET and to identify the population most responsive to acupuncture.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective cohort analysis included clinical data from 2830 patients who underwent their first cycle of FET at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Women and Children's Hospital, affiliated with Qingdao University, from March 2021 to March 2024. Patients were divided into a control group undergoing routine FET without acupuncture (<em>n</em> = 1085) and an acupuncture group receiving routine FET plus acupuncture performed before and after the transfer day (<em>n</em> = 1745). Generalized linear and binary logistic regression models were used to analyze and adjust for potential confounding factors to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the control group (54.56 % vs. 48.85 %; adjusted odds ratios [aOR]=1.184, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.011–1.387; <em>p</em> = 0.036; and 43.59 % vs. 39.17 %; aOR=0.034, 95 %CI=1.011–1.387; <em>p</em> = 0.045). There was no significant difference in the biochemical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, or live birth rate between the two groups (all <em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). Stratified analysis showed that acupuncture increased the likelihood of clinical pregnancy (aOR=1.225, 95 %CI=1.001–1.499; <em>p</em> = 0.048) in women &lt;35 years, but had no effect in women ≥35 years. Acupuncture was associated with a higher implantation rate (aOR=1.053, 95 %CI=1.013–1.095; <em>p</em> = 0.009), clinical pregnancy (aOR=1.256, 95 %CI=1.054–1.496; <em>p</em> = 0.011), and biochemical pregnancy (aOR=1.229, 95 %CI=1.025–1.473; <em>p</em> = 0.026) in women with normal ovarian reserve function, but showed no significant effect in those with decreased ovarian reserve function.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Acupuncture therapy can improve the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in the first cycle of FET, and appears more beneficial in women &lt;35 years and those with normal ovarian reserve function, without associated adverse effects, indicating high safety. Nonetheless, more high-quality multicenter prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to further confirm these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the feasibility of using the TREATS tool in determining the quality of randomised trials of clinical aromatherapy","authors":"Wendy Maddocks ,&nbsp;Teresa Barron ,&nbsp;Yasmine EIGhamrawy ,&nbsp;Ying Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102600","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102600","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The TREATS™ protocol was developed in 2023 to improve the quality of reporting of clinical aromatherapy studies. Whilst there has been an increase in the number of studies in the last twenty years, these are often poorly conducted and reported on. The TREATS™ contains 38 points giving an overall rating of the research as either poor, fair or good. The protocol has not been widely tested outside of its development.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This project tested the feasibility of using of the tool on forty-three randomised controlled trials involving clinical aromatherapy published between 2024–2025. The tool was used to score each of the studies to provide a perspective of the quality of current clinical aromatherapy research.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The project found that whilst the tool was easy to use once adapted for multiple studies, and provided a good starting point to evaluate quality, there are recommendations to enhance future iterations of the tool. The overall quality of published studies remains poor to fair according to the tool, with many areas for improvement required.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The TREATS™ is effective as an initial screening tool to evaluate the quality of clinical aromatherapy research, however the quality of extant research remains poor to fair.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102600"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects and safety of scalp acupuncture on swallowing function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia: A meta-analysis","authors":"GuanChao Chen ,&nbsp;WeiYu Wang ,&nbsp;HangYu Li ,&nbsp;Hong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of scalp acupuncture (SA) on swallowing function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP Database, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from database inception to 26 April 2025. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2.0). Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 18.0.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eighteen eligible papers, involving 1410 patients with PSD, were included. Meta-analysis showed that compared to conventional interventions alone, SA combined with conventional interventions significantly reduced water swallowing test (WST) scores [SMD=-1.00, 95 % CI (-1.35, -0.66), <em>Z</em>=-5.701, <em>P</em> = 0.000], reduced standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) scores [MD=-3.78, 95 % CI (-4.89, -2.68), <em>Z</em>=- 6.692, <em>P</em> = 0.000], increased swallowing quality of life (SWAL-QOL) scores [MD = 33.26, 95 % CI (12.79, 53.73), <em>Z</em> = 3.185, <em>P</em> = 0.001], reduced videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) scores [MD = 6.28, 95 % CI (4.01, 8.55), <em>Z</em> = 5.419, <em>P</em> = 0.000], and increased Barthel index (BI) scores [MD = 11.62, 95 % CI (9.76, 13.48), <em>Z</em> = 12.248, <em>P</em> = 0.000]. The WST scores, SSA scores, and SWAL-QOL scores exhibited high heterogeneity. A funnel plot suggested no publication bias in WST scores (<em>t</em> = 0.78, <em>P</em> = 0.457). Sensitivity analysis showed strong robustness in the meta-analysis results for WST scores and SSA scores, while potential sources of heterogeneity were identified in SWAL-QOL scores. The quality of evidence was low for SWAL-QOL scores and high for the remaining scores.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Compared with conventional interventions alone, SA combined with conventional interventions has more advantages in improving the scores in WST, SSA, and SWAL-QOL in the treatment of PSD. However, the reliability of this conclusion is constrained by the low quality of evidence for outcome measures, the lack of regular follow-up, and the unclear risk of adverse events. To consolidate research findings and provide more reliable clinical guidance, future studies should prioritize conducting multicenter double-blind trials that incorporate regular follow-up, objective assessments, and standardized protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102598"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using explainable machine learning to identify predictors of Kangaroo mother care implementation in Sierra Leone's healthcare system","authors":"Afeez A. Soladoye ,&nbsp;David B. Olawade ,&nbsp;Joseph E. Origbo ,&nbsp;Kobloobase O. Usani ,&nbsp;Ayomide Israel Adekoya ,&nbsp;Ojima Z. Wada ,&nbsp;Augustus Osborne","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) reduces neonatal mortality and improves thermoregulation and breastfeeding, yet uptake remains inconsistent in Sierra Leone. Predictive and explainable tools could target implementation where the need is most significant and resources are scarce. This study aimed to predict KMC adoption and identify actionable predictors using explainable machine learning.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analysed a nationally representative dataset from Sierra Leone comprising 7737 births. The study setting was Sierra Leone's healthcare system, with participants including mothers who delivered in health facilities. Following data preprocessing (imputation, MinMax normalisation, categorical encoding, and SMOTE for class imbalance), forward-backward selection reduced 22 candidate variables to 10 key predictors. Five classifiers were trained using a 70:30 stratified split: K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), logistic regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and XGBoost. The outcome was KMC adoption (binary: received/not received). Performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC-AUC. Interpretability was achieved through SHAP and LIME for global and local explanations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>XGBoost performed best (accuracy 0.72, precision 0.75, recall 0.81, F1 0.78, ROC AUC 0.7685), followed by Random Forest. Predictors associated with KMC included delivery by caesarean section, type of birth, maternal employment, number of antenatal visits, place of delivery, health insurance coverage, and region, while sampling design variables captured contextual heterogeneity. SHAP and LIME consistently highlighted delivery characteristics and socio-economic factors as primary drivers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Explainable ensemble models can flag infants likely to receive or miss KMC and indicate modifiable levers for improvement. High recall supports use as a screening aid to prioritise counselling, facility preparedness, and postnatal support. Prospective validation, threshold calibration, and integration within routine health information systems are warranted to translate these insights into sustained increases in KMC coverage in Sierra Leone and similar settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102596"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prakriti-based differences in olfactory perception and receptor gene expression: An Ayurgenomics approach","authors":"Deepika Saini ,&nbsp;Heena Saini ,&nbsp;Neha Singh ,&nbsp;Richa Tripathi ,&nbsp;Meera K. Bhojani","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Ayurgenomics, a pioneering approach integrating Ayurveda and genomics, offers a novel perspective to examine inter-individual variability in terms of health, disease susceptibility, and its recovery. This study explores the relationship between <em>Ayurvedic Prakritis</em> (<em>Vata, Pitta, Kapha</em>) and olfactory perception, alongside its underlying genetic expression patterns, to better understand the biological basis of <em>Prakriti</em> classification. This study aimed to examine differences in olfactory perception and olfactory receptor gene expression among individuals with extreme <em>Prakriti</em> types, as classified by <em>Ayurveda</em>, and to explore potential correlations between these molecular variations and <em>Prakriti</em>-specific phenotypes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 400 candidates (staff, students and patients attendant) from All India Institute of Ayurveda were initially screened using the CCRAS-SAS. Out of these, 300 healthy participants were enrolled and later assessed for three extreme <em>Prakriti</em> phenotypes <em>Vata, Pitta</em>, and <em>Kapha</em>. Among them, 28 were identified with Ekdoshaja Prakriti and chosen for olfactory perception analysis and 24 participants were selected for olfactory receptor gene expression profiling. Olfactory performance was assessed using the <em>Sniffin Sticks Test,</em> evaluating domains, T-score, D-score, and I-score<em>.</em> Expression levels of olfactory genes were quantified using Quantitative PCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant differences in olfactory performance were observed across the three Prakriti phenotypes, where Kapha showed the best T score, Pitta showed the best D and I score, and Kapha and <em>Pitta</em> had the best TDI score. OR6K3 gene expression was significantly downregulated in <em>Pitta</em> and <em>Kapha Prakritis.</em> However, OR10Z1 gene expression was upregulated in <em>Kapha</em> relative to the other two <em>Prakriti</em>. We have taken <em>Vata Prakriti</em> as reference<em>.</em> Although the study was conducted on a relatively small sample size, the findings provide valuable preliminary insights into the association between Prakriti types, olfactory perception, and OR gene expression.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study reveals that individuals from different <em>Prakriti</em> groups display distinct phenotypic traits in olfactory perception along with specific molecular variations. However, these findings should be interpreted in light of the study’s limitations, including a narrow sample drawn from a single institution and a relatively small number of participants. Further studies with larger and more diverse populations are needed to validate these observations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102599"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cannabidiol (CBD): An acceptable non-hormonal treatment option for women suffering with chronic pelvic pain – a cross-sectional observational study","authors":"Aisha Anwar ,&nbsp;Tara Ajith ,&nbsp;Róisín Lewis ,&nbsp;Vickie Kimandi ,&nbsp;Andrew J Drakeley ,&nbsp;Dharani K Hapangama ,&nbsp;Nicola Tempest","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) represents a significant health issue among women, profoundly impacting their quality of life. Current treatment modalities primarily include hormonal therapy, analgesics, or surgical interventions, which may have side effects or be unsuitable for women attempting to conceive. The objective of this study is to determine if cannabidiol (CBD) is an acceptable non-hormonal self-management option for women with CPP.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A prospective, cross sectional observational questionnaire study that included 200 women with CPP who attended the gynaecological department at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital (LWH), UK, over a six-month period. The main outcomes included acceptability of CBD as a non-hormonal treatment option for CPP, current treatments/self-management strategies utilised, and interest in participation in future trials investigating CBD for CPP management.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Sixteen % (<em>n</em> = 32) of the questioned cohort were taking alternative treatments, 16.3 % (<em>n</em> = 26) had tried cannabis (prescribed/illicit), and 21.3 % (<em>n</em> = 34) had tried Hemp/CBD oil as an alternative treatment option. A total of 82.5 % (<em>n</em> = 165) of respondents were willing to try CBD; 73.9 % (<em>n</em> = 139) oral, 69.7 % (<em>n</em> = 131) a skin patch, 72.3 % (<em>n</em> = 136) a balm/gel and 33 % (<em>n</em> = 62) a CBD infused tampon. Most women, 75.5 % (<em>n</em> = 151), revealed their willingness to take part in future trials involving CBD as a treatment option.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CPP remains inadequately treated, leading many women to seek alternative therapies. CBD is considered an acceptable option, with a high proportion of surveyed women reporting current or past use to manage their symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102597"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}