European Journal of Integrative Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Preference and usage of herbal and orthodox medicines and dosage form preferences among adults visiting two hospitals in Ho, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey","authors":"Hilda Amekyeh ,&nbsp;Doris Kumadoh ,&nbsp;Salifu Nanga ,&nbsp;Donatus Wewura Adongo ,&nbsp;Gideon Krobea-Asante ,&nbsp;Barbara Owusu-Ansah ,&nbsp;Kwabena Larbi Awuku-Larbi ,&nbsp;Albert Ekow Mensah ,&nbsp;John Korbuvi ,&nbsp;Mike Okweesi Aggrey","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102554","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102554","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The usage and preferences of treatments among patients must be understood to guide policy development and improve healthcare. Additionally, the dosage form in which a medicine is presented to a patient can influence compliance with therapy. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the preference of herbal medicine versus orthodox medicine, usage of the two medicine types, and desired oral and topical formulations among adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 430 respondents at the outpatient departments of Ho Municipal Hospital and Ho Teaching Hospital in the Ho municipality of Ghana. Participants were purposively sampled to complete a questionnaire, after which the data were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants mostly preferred orthodox medicine (78.8 %). Treatment preference was influenced by age (<em>p</em> = 0.033) and educational level (<em>p</em> = 0.013). Key reasons for preferring either treatment were perceived effectiveness (55.8 %, orthodox; 14.4 %, herbal) and safety (60.0 %, orthodox; 9.5 %, herbal). Unprescribed medicine usage (herbal/orthodox) was attributed to self-medication (11.6 %), radio/TV adverts (12.6 %), and non-professional advice (36.5 %). Tablets (54.9 %), capsules (54.0 %), and liquids (44.9 %) were the preferred oral formulations; younger and older participants largely preferred liquids and capsules, respectively. Educational level influenced capsule preference (<em>p</em> = 0.039). Income level showed significant associations with capsules (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.00001), liquids (<em>p</em> = 0.012), and powders (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.00001). Ointments (61.2 %), creams (56.3 %), and gels (25.3 %) were the preferred topical products, with preferences significantly affected by income, education, and religion.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings indicate a higher preference for orthodox medicine over herbal medicine as well as preference for conventional oral and topical dosage forms. Indiscriminate medicine usage by some participants was also observed, indicating that control of medicine information in the media and enhanced public education on medicine safety are needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102554"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145104711","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":"Photodynamic and cytotoxic activities of Onosma aucheriana extract: Molecular interactions and antioxidant potential","authors":"Metin Caliskan ,&nbsp;Sercin Ozlem Caliskan ,&nbsp;Emine Incilay Torunoglu ,&nbsp;Erdi Can Aytar ,&nbsp;Alper Durmaz","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study investigates the anticancer, photodynamic, antioxidant efficiency and molecular interaction profiles of <em>Onosma aucheriana</em> methanol extract.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>The cell viability of normal (HEK293) and gastric cancer (MKN28) cell lines was evaluated using IC₅₀ values, including photodynamic activity under green light. Antioxidant potential was assessed through DPPH radical scavenging, while phytochemical contents were quantified spectrophotometrically. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis identified major compounds, and molecular docking studies explored their interactions with target proteins.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Cell viability assays showed a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability, with IC₅₀ values of 1036 μg/mL for HEK293 and 951.8 μg/mL for MKN28. To assess photodynamic activity, green light was used, revealing IC₅₀ values of 56.62 μg/mL for normal cells and 32.53 μg/mL for cancer cells. A more pronounced reduction in cell viability was observed in cancer cells compared to normal cells. However, it demonstrates significant photodynamic activity at a concentration approximately 1/18th of the IC₅₀ value for normal cells and about 1/29th of the IC₅₀ value for cancer cells. The extract, with a DPPH radical scavenging IC₅₀ value of 154.15 ± 1.04 µg/mL, exhibits strong antioxidant activity, which is greater than that of BHT (230 ± 10 µg/mL). The total flavanol, flavonoid, phenolic, proanthocyanidin, and tannin contents are quantified as 24.30 ± 1.23 mg QE/g, 32.96 ± 3.23 mg QE/g, 6.31 ± 0.79 mg GAE/g, 83.41 ± 12.95 mg CAE/g, and 27.32 ± 2.30 mg GAE/g, respectively. GC–MS analysis reveals inositol (30.47 %), 4-((1E)‑hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenol (23.04 %), 3-amino-2,6-dimethylpyridine (7.41 %), and 3-buten-2-one, 4-(4‑hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0] hept‑1-yl) (5.99 %) as major components. Molecular docking studies reveal that 3-buten-2-one, 4-(4‑hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0] hept‑1-yl) exhibits strong binding interactions with BAF complex (6LTJ), inositol shows substantial hydrogen bonding, and 4-((1E)‑hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenol demonstrates significant binding with several receptors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The <em>O. aucheriana</em> extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity and a novel photodynamic cytotoxic effect that became prominent under green light exposure. These findings suggest that the extract may possess versatile therapeutic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102549"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145154516","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 effectiveness and safety of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. for patients with chronic kidney disease: an overview of systematic reviews","authors":"Chen-pei Liu ,&nbsp;Yang-yang Lei ,&nbsp;Yue-qi Zhang ,&nbsp;Bang-tai Cao ,&nbsp;Xiao-han Bian ,&nbsp;Hui-min Liang ,&nbsp;Tran Anh Kieu ,&nbsp;Thomas John Osilama ,&nbsp;Ogbe Susan Enechojo ,&nbsp;Yan Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Many systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) have explored the effectiveness and safety of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. (TwHF) for chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet findings remain inconsistent, and their quality has not been adequately assessed. We aimed to identify these SRs/MAs and assess their evidence level.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a comprehensive literature search across eight databases up to December 13, 2024. For each included SR/MA, we used A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews tool (ROBIS), and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess methodological quality, risk of bias, and evidence certainty, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 32 SRs/MAs were analyzed. The AMSTAR 2 checklist showed that the methodological quality of all the included SRs/MAs was very low. The ROBIS tool suggested that 8 SRs/MAs were assessed as having low overall risk of bias, while the remaining were assessed as having high overall risk of bias. High-quality evidence from GRADE suggested that in nephrotic syndrome patients, the combination of TwHF and prednisone significantly increased the effectiveness rate (OR=3.37, 95 %CI: 1.99–5.17; N=10; I²=30 %), reduced recurrence rate (OR=0.34, 95 %CI: 0.20–0.57; N=6; I²=34 %), decreased 24-hour urinary total protein (MD=-0.98, 95 %CI: -1.27 to -0.70; N=8; I²=56 %), and improved serum albumin levels (MD=0.79, 95 %CI: 0.44–1.14; N=8; I²=39 %) compared to prednisone alone. In addition, 18 pieces of moderate-quality evidence with GRADE assessment were found, which indicated that the combination of TwHF and prednisone significantly reduced the incidence of both gastrointestinal adverse events (OR=0.49; 95 % CI: 0.29 to 0.83; N=4; I²=0 %) and leukopenia (OR=0.37; 95 % CI: 0.18 to 0.75; N=6; I²=0 %) compared to prednisone monotherapy. However, combining TwHF with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) significantly increased adverse event incidence compared to ACEI/ARB alone.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TwHF may potentially improve treatment outcomes in patients with CKD. Conclusions regarding both effectiveness and safety are only meaningful when confined to specific CKD subgroups and treatment comparisons. Furthermore, due to substantial heterogeneity and generally low methodological quality, the findings of this study should be interpreted with caution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102551"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044144","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":"Inhibitory effects of wogonin on hepatocellular carcinoma through modulation of lactate metabolism and suppression of regulatory T-cell differentiation","authors":"Fansheng Meng ,&nbsp;Yiheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Xujing Gu ,&nbsp;Tianle Ma ,&nbsp;Zhipeng Chen ,&nbsp;Huihua Fang ,&nbsp;Li Wu ,&nbsp;Huaning Xu ,&nbsp;Yan Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Wogonin, an active flavonoid derived from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis, has been reported to regulate cellular metabolism. Increasing evidence suggests that wogonin inhibits regulatory T-cell (Treg) differentiation and modulates immune responses both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Our previous findings demonstrated that lactic acid, a metabolic byproduct of glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, promotes the differentiation of naïve CD4⁺ <em>T</em> cells into Tregs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The effects of wogonin (1.25, 5, and 20 μg/mL) on naïve CD4⁺ <em>T</em>-cell differentiation were examined in the presence of lactic acid. The proportion of Tregs was analyzed using flow cytometry. Protein and mRNA expression levels of TGF-β, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, LDHA, p-mTOR, HIF-1α, ATP5B, and FOXP3 were measured by western blotting (WB) and RT-PCR, respectively. Levels of IL-10, α-KG, and 2-HG were quantified using ELISA. To further assess <em>in vivo</em> efficacy, a mouse hepatoma transplantation model was established by subcutaneous injection of H22 cells. Seven days after inoculation, mice were treated with wogonin (12.5 or 25 mg/kg). After three weeks, mice were euthanized. Tumors underwent histological analysis by HE staining, while CD4⁺and CD8⁺ <em>T</em>-cell populations were assessed via immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. LDHA enzyme activity, intracellular and extracellular lactate and glucose concentrations were measured by ELISA. FOXP3 and IL-10 mRNA levels were evaluated by RT-PCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Supplemental lactic acid significantly increased Treg differentiation following cytokine stimulation (anti-CD3, anti-CD28, and TGF-β). Conversely, wogonin treatment significantly and dose-dependently reduced Treg differentiation and LDHA expression. Through inhibitor screening, c-Myc was identified as a critical molecular target of wogonin. Mechanistically, wogonin suppressed c-Myc activity, subsequently downregulating LDHA expression and enzyme activity, reducing abnormal accumulation of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG), normalizing the 2-HG/α-KG ratio, and ultimately decreasing FOXP3 and IL-10 expression.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Wogonin suppresses Treg differentiation and exerts anti-HCC effects by inhibiting c-Myc-mediated LDHA expression and disrupting the 2-HG/ATP5B/mTOR/HIF-1α signaling pathway. Given its potential to reshape the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, further investigation into its combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102545"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145003928","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":"Cross-cultural adaptation of the pediatric version of the SafetyNet reporting system for use in French-speaking Canada","authors":"Isabelle Pagé ,&nbsp;Anne Dolbec ,&nbsp;Geneviève Côté ,&nbsp;Chantale Doucet ,&nbsp;David Hayes ,&nbsp;Pierre Langevin ,&nbsp;Katherine A. Pohlman ,&nbsp;Marie-Hélène Vallières ,&nbsp;Stéphane Sobczak","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Though manual therapies are frequently utilized in pediatric care, they carry inherent risks of adverse events. The pediatric iteration of the SafetyNet reporting system encompasses three questionnaires specifically crafted for completion by a child's legal guardian, complemented by one intended for the provider to record treatment details. The objective of this study is to culturally adapt the pediatric SafetyNet reporting system for the French-speaking Canadian demographic.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A multidisciplinary committee was convened to undertake the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the four questionnaires comprising the pediatric version of the SafetyNet reporting system. The adaptation process encompassed several stages, including: (1) Forward translation, (2) Synthesis of the translated versions, (3) Cross-cultural adaptation, (4) Review and proposal of the pre-final Canadian French version, and (5) Cognitive debriefing and proposal of the final version. Committee adaptations were subject to review by a developer of the SafetyNet system. Cognitive debriefing involved the participation of French-Canadian legal guardians and clinicians to assess questionnaires’ clarity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The committee comprised seven researchers and clinicians from diverse backgrounds, including chiropractic, anatomy, and physiotherapy as well as a research associate with a background in linguistics. Upon receiving approval of the cross-cultural adaptations from the developer of the SafetyNet reporting system, all committee members unanimously endorsed the pre-final version. After incorporating improvements based on the cognitive debriefing step, which involved feedback from 13 legal guardians and 10 clinicians, the final version was proposed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Despite the need for adaptations to existing translation guidelines, the pediatric version of the SafetyNET reporting system was successfully translated and adapted to the Canadian French context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102542"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144996873","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":"Co-creation of an evidence-based toolkit to facilitate communication on complementary medicine between conventional and complementary healthcare practitioners in the Netherlands","authors":"Louise TC Mulder ,&nbsp;Martine Busch ,&nbsp;Armelle Demmers ,&nbsp;Herman A van Wietmarschen","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102550","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102550","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The Dutch health care system needs guidance and implementation of complementary care, of which shared decision making, communication and referral between conventional and complementary care practitioners are major components. A Dutch quality register for complementary healthcare practitioners (RBCZ) was interested in adopting and implementing an improved version of a communication toolkit developed in an earlier project. Therefore, the aim was to further develop a communication toolkit to improve the communication and collaboration between member practitioners of RBCZ and conventional healthcare practitioners.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Focus group discussions were conducted as part of a co-creation process with conventional and complementary healthcare practitioners to define content and implementation of the toolkit, in three field labs; Utrecht, Amsterdam and the north of the Netherlands. A pragmatic evidence-based decision aid for the respective complementary care modalities was developed based on a literature assessment and Strength Of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) criteria.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The final toolkit included seven communication tools: (1) getting acquainted; (2) communication; (3) frame letters; (4) decision aid with evidence-based recommendations for 13 complementary therapies and 6 indications: chronic low back pain, depressive symptoms, medically unexplained physical symptoms, irritable bowel syndrome, burnout, and chronic fatigue syndrome; (5) grading evidence; (6) support for communication of the RBCZ members/professional associations and (7) implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The evidence-based toolkit will be made available to 23 professional associations covering over 9.500 complementary healthcare practitioners in the Netherlands (RBCZ). The regional collaboration amongst complementary healthcare practitioners was strengthened as well as between complementary and conventional healthcare practitioners.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102550"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145003964","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":"Phytochemical profile, mineral composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-breast cancer activities of Sambucus ebulus","authors":"Arzu Kaska ,&nbsp;Mücahit Seçme ,&nbsp;Mehlika Alper ,&nbsp;Birsen Atlı ,&nbsp;Ramazan Mammadov","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><em>Sambucus ebulus,</em> belonging to the <em>Sambucus</em> genus, is important in folk medicine, used to treat stomach pain, rheumatism, eczema, high fever, colds, coughs etc., and also in cancer treatment in Turkish traditional medicine. This study outlines the antioxidant, apoptotic, cytotoxic, antimicrobial activity, and phenolic profile of the water and ethanol extract of <em>S. ebulus</em> and provides its mineral elements.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The antioxidative capacity of the sample was identified by using radical scavenging (DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), reducing (CUPRAC (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity), FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant power)), metal chelating, and phosphomolybdenum methods. Cytotoxic effects of the extract were determined by XTT (2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide, disodium salt) assay. Expression changes of genes related to apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3,-8,-9) were analysed by real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Antimicrobial activities of the extracts were investigated by disc diffusion assay, and the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values were determined. The phenolics were analysed via HPLC analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The water extract exhibited higher radical scavenging and reducing activities than the ethanol extract. The water extract also exhibited better antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria than gram-positive bacteria. The highest inhibition zone was determined for the water extract against <em>C.albicans. S. ebulus</em> showed apoptotic and cytotoxic effects on the breast cancer cell line. Caffeic acid and epicatechin were the main phenolic compounds identified using HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results of this study are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to identify novel plant-derived antioxidants, antibiotics, and anticancer agents. Furthermore, the findings highlight the potential of S. ebulus as a valuable natural antioxidant and suggest its possible use as a beneficial dietary supplement for therapeutic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102546"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144996253","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":"Corrigendum to “Factors influencing the utilization of traditional Korean medicine and continuity of care among individuals with disabilities in Korea: A cross-sectional analysis using national health insurance data” [European Journal of Integrative Medicine 78 (2025) 102520]","authors":"Ji-eun Yu ,&nbsp;Hyunmin Kim ,&nbsp;Chihyoung Son ,&nbsp;Eunji Ahn ,&nbsp;Dongsu Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102536","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102536","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102536"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145104477","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":"Limbic reflexology for the management of fibromyalgia: A qualitative investigation of a non-drug treatment","authors":"Marcia Edwards ,&nbsp;Joanna McParland ,&nbsp;Samah Naseem","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) in their 2017 paper recommended that an update be conducted after five years to determine whether further trials had been conducted for therapies which had scored low and whether any new therapies had emerged for the management of fibromyalgia. Limbic reflexology is a reflexology approach which targets specific problems that arise from altered function of the limbic brain network and nuclei. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of limbic reflexology as a non-drug treatment for the management of fibromyalgia, through (1) assessing if a person’s experience of living with the fibromyalgia symptoms of pain, fatigue and sleep quality changed after receiving an initial course of six to eight weekly limbic reflexology sessions, and (2) assessing whether any changes in symptoms were maintained with regular maintenance sessions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A purposive homogenous sample was used to include participants who were aged 18 and over, had a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and had completed a course of between six to eight weekly limbic reflexology sessions prior to the study. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, the interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and anonymised. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was then used for the data analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three women with fibromyalgia were interviewed to gain a detailed account of the impact of six to eight weekly limbic reflexology sessions, plus maintenance sessions on symptoms of fibromyalgia and its impact on their experience of pain, fatigue, and sleep quality. The following themes were identified “The experience of fibromyalgia”, “The experience of limbic reflexology”, and “The holistic impact of limbic reflexology”. Participants reported limbic reflexology improved their symptoms with less pain, reduced fatigue, and more restful sleep. This improvement in symptoms was maintained with regular sessions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This qualitative study provides new insight into the impact of limbic reflexology on physical and mental function among women living with fibromyalgia. These initial findings provide an invaluable start for further research to determine limbic reflexology’s potential as a non-drug treatment for the management of fibromyalgia symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102544"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145018765","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":"Effect of different exercise modalities on health and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Lihua Wang ,&nbsp;Qian Wang ,&nbsp;Mingze Sun ,&nbsp;Yan Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiao Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102541","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102541","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, prevalent worldwide, with an unknown etiology and currently no specific treatment. Physical exercise-defined as “planned, structured, and repetitive physical activity aimed at improving or maintaining physical fitness”-has emerged as a non-pharmacological, holistic, and patient-centered intervention for the management of PD. This study aims to evaluate the impact of physical exercise on mental and physical health, and the quality of life in individuals with PD.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), Embase, and the Cochrane Database for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception until December 2024. Key data extracted included publication details, sample demographic characteristics, the interventions used for both experimental and control groups, and outcome assessment characteristics at baseline and post-intervention. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was utilized to assess the risk of bias, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was applied to evaluate the certainty of the evidence.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>A total of 35 eligible articles (<em>n</em> = 1620) from 54 studies were included in our systematic review. The results demonstrated that physical exercise interventions had a significant effect on various outcomes, including global cognitive function (SMD 0.43, 95 % CI 0.01 to 0.85, <em>p</em> = 0.04), depression (SMD -0.54, 95 % CI -0.75 to -0.32, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.00001), anxiety (SMD -0.42, 95 % CI -0.69 to -0.15, <em>p</em> = 0.002), physical health (SMD -0.74, 95 % CI -1.01 to -0.48, <em>p</em> = 0.0002), balance (SMD 0.78, 95 % CI 0.36 to 1.19, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.00001), fatigue (SMD -0.65, 95 % CI -1.28 to - 0.01, <em>p</em> = 0.05), and quality of life (SMD -0.51, 95 % CI -0.80 to -0.22, <em>p</em> = 0.0005) in the experimental group (exercise training) compared to the control post-intervention. Most studies were assessed as having a low risk of bias, the quality of the included studies was generally high (median PEDro score = 7, range 5–10). Adverse events were reported in only 5 of 35 trials, with low incidence (3.1–16.1 %) and mild severity (e.g., musculoskeletal discomfort).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This review found moderate certainty evidence that physical exercise can improve depression, physical health, balance and quality of life, and low certainty evidence for improvements in cognitive function, anxiety and fatigue. Further research is indicated to provide clearer insights about the beneficial effects of exercise for PD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102541"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145003963","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}