Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2026.103314
Angie Lillehei
{"title":"Sleep and brain-gut-microbiota interaction","authors":"Angie Lillehei","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103314","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103314","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103314"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145999542","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2026.103315
Kavita Kothari
{"title":"Melatonin in cancer treatment: Summary of a Cochrane Review","authors":"Kavita Kothari","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103315","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103315","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103315"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979381","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2026.103317
Leidisiane Ribeiro Marcon
This revised case report presents the clinical course of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (T4N2M1), with radiological evidence of extensive locoregional disease and suspected metastatic involvement, including para-aortic and hepatic lesions. Initially managed with palliative intent, the patient demonstrated an exceptional response to systemic chemotherapy followed by definitive chemoradiotherapy, resulting in complete radiological and clinical remission sustained over two years of follow-up.
In addition to clinical data, this report uniquely integrates a first-person narrative describing the patient’s psychological, emotional, and spiritual experience throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. This perspective provides insight into the patient’s subjective understanding of illness, resilience, and meaning-making during a life-threatening condition. The combination of objective oncological evidence with a structured patient narrative highlights the potential value of integrating psychosocial and existential dimensions into oncologic care and research.
{"title":"From advanced anal squamous cell carcinoma to complete remission: A case report with clinical, radiological, and patient-narrative perspectives","authors":"Leidisiane Ribeiro Marcon","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103317","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103317","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This revised case report presents the clinical course of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (T4N2M1), with radiological evidence of extensive locoregional disease and suspected metastatic involvement, including para-aortic and hepatic lesions. Initially managed with palliative intent, the patient demonstrated an exceptional response to systemic chemotherapy followed by definitive chemoradiotherapy, resulting in complete radiological and clinical remission sustained over two years of follow-up.</div><div>In addition to clinical data, this report uniquely integrates a first-person narrative describing the patient’s psychological, emotional, and spiritual experience throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. This perspective provides insight into the patient’s subjective understanding of illness, resilience, and meaning-making during a life-threatening condition. The combination of objective oncological evidence with a structured patient narrative highlights the potential value of integrating psychosocial and existential dimensions into oncologic care and research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103317"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979383","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2026.103320
Zijian Zhou , Hai Tang , Mengyu Liu , Zhijie Ji , Min Yang , Jinfeng Shen , Maoyin Zhang
Background
Post-craniotomy headache (PCH) is a common clinical occurrence after craniotomy. Scalp nerve block (SNB) is often used for pain control during craniotomy. Peppermint essential oil (PEO) may alleviate pain under certain injury conditions by activating TRPM8, but its application after craniotomy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects, and potential interaction, of scalp nerve block (SNB) and inhaled peppermint essential oil (PEO) aromatherapy on postoperative pain, quality of recovery, and perioperative indicators in patients undergoing supratentorial tumor resection.
Methods
One hundred patients scheduled for elective supratentorial tumor resection were randomly assigned to a control group (C group), scalp nerve block group (SNB group), peppermint essential oil group (PEO group), or combined SNB+PEO group (25 patients each). Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores, State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores, Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores within 48 h postoperatively, extubation time, PACU stay duration, postoperative rescue analgesia rate, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded.
Results
No significant interaction was found between SNB and PEO on pain scores at any time point. The Ropivacaine Group (SNB & SNB+PEO) showed significantly lower NRS scores than the Saline Group (C & PEO) immediately after extubation (0.5 [0.0, 2.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0, 4.0], P = 0.013). The Aromatherapy Group (PEO & SNB+PEO) had significantly lower scores than the Placebo Group (C & SNB) at 24 h postoperatively (1.0 [0.8, 2.0] vs. 2.5 [1.0, 4.0], P < 0.001). SNB was a protective factor against intraoperative hypertension. PEO significantly improved QoR-15 scores at 48 h.
Conclusion
The combination of SNB and PEO provides effective postoperative analgesia, improves recovery quality, reduces intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations, and promotes early rehabilitation.
背景开颅后头痛（PCH）是开颅术后常见的临床症状。头皮神经阻滞（SNB）常用于开颅手术中的疼痛控制。薄荷精油（PEO）可能通过激活TRPM8来缓解某些损伤条件下的疼痛，但其在开颅手术后的应用尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨头皮神经阻滞（SNB）和吸入薄荷精油（PEO）芳香疗法对幕上肿瘤切除术患者术后疼痛、恢复质量和围手术期指标的单独作用和联合作用，以及潜在的相互作用。方法将100例择期幕上肿瘤切除术患者随机分为对照组（C组）、头皮神经阻滞组（SNB组）、薄荷精油组（PEO组）和SNB+PEO联合组（各25例）。记录数值评定量表（NRS）疼痛评分、状态焦虑量表（SAI）评分、术后48 h内恢复质量-15 （QoR-15）评分、拔管时间、PACU停留时间、术后抢救镇痛率、术后住院时间。结果在任何时间点，SNB和PEO对疼痛评分均无显著交互作用。罗哌卡因组（SNB & SNB+PEO）拔管后即刻NRS评分明显低于生理盐水组（C &； PEO） （0.5 [0.0, 2.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0, 4.0], P = 0.013）。芳香疗法组（PEO & SNB+PEO）在术后24小时的评分明显低于安慰剂组（C &； SNB） （1.0 [0.8, 2.0] vs. 2.5 [1.0, 4.0], P < 0.001）。SNB是预防术中高血压的保护因素。结论SNB联合PEO可有效改善术后QoR-15评分，提高术后恢复质量，减少术中血流动力学波动，促进早期康复。
{"title":"The effect of scalp nerve block combined with inhaled peppermint essential oil on postoperative pain in patients undergoing supratentorial tumor resection","authors":"Zijian Zhou , Hai Tang , Mengyu Liu , Zhijie Ji , Min Yang , Jinfeng Shen , Maoyin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103320","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Post-craniotomy headache (PCH) is a common clinical occurrence after craniotomy. Scalp nerve block (SNB) is often used for pain control during craniotomy. Peppermint essential oil (PEO) may alleviate pain under certain injury conditions by activating TRPM8, but its application after craniotomy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects, and potential interaction, of scalp nerve block (SNB) and inhaled peppermint essential oil (PEO) aromatherapy on postoperative pain, quality of recovery, and perioperative indicators in patients undergoing supratentorial tumor resection.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>One hundred patients scheduled for elective supratentorial tumor resection were randomly assigned to a control group (C group), scalp nerve block group (SNB group), peppermint essential oil group (PEO group), or combined SNB+PEO group (25 patients each). Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores, State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores, Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores within 48 h postoperatively, extubation time, PACU stay duration, postoperative rescue analgesia rate, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant interaction was found between SNB and PEO on pain scores at any time point. The Ropivacaine Group (SNB & SNB+PEO) showed significantly lower NRS scores than the Saline Group (C & PEO) immediately after extubation (0.5 [0.0, 2.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0, 4.0], <em>P</em> = 0.013). The Aromatherapy Group (PEO & SNB+PEO) had significantly lower scores than the Placebo Group (C & SNB) at 24 h postoperatively (1.0 [0.8, 2.0] vs. 2.5 [1.0, 4.0], <em>P</em> < 0.001). SNB was a protective factor against intraoperative hypertension. PEO significantly improved QoR-15 scores at 48 h.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The combination of SNB and PEO provides effective postoperative analgesia, improves recovery quality, reduces intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations, and promotes early rehabilitation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103320"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928150","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2026.103319
Sabiha Fatima , Shaik Asgar
Background
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that often requires prolonged proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. It frequently coexists with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis. Limitations of long-term PPI use, symptom recurrence, and patient adherence have increased interest in complementary medical systems. Unani system of medicine (USM) conceptualizes reflux-like disorders as disturbances of digestion and gastric temperament, emphasizing mucosal protection and physiological restoration.
Case Presentation
A 39-year-old man with a four-year history of severe GERD presented with persistent heartburn, regurgitation, epigastric burning, nausea, and sleep disturbance. Baseline investigations revealed H. pylori associated pangastritis in endoscopy, and Grade II–III reflux on barium swallow. After a brief course of conventional triple therapy for background gastritis, a structured 12-week Unani regimen was initiated as the primary intervention for GERD. Lifestyle corrections and dietary counseling were also provided. PPI therapy was discontinued after two weeks. Clinical symptoms, quality of life scores, imaging findings, and safety parameters were monitored.
Results
The patient demonstrated progressive and clinically meaningful improvement with marked reduction in GERD-HRQL scores. Follow-up endoscopy showed descriptive improvement in gastric mucosa, and barium swallow findings normalized by week 14. The laboratory test results remained normal, and no adverse effects were reported. Clinical improvement was maintained at six-month follow-up without PPI use.
Conclusion
In this case, a structured Unani regimen administered after short-term conventional therapy was temporally associated with improvement in chronic GERD symptoms and functional outcomes. Although gastritis improved descriptively, post-treatment H. pylori eradication was not assessed. Given the inherent limitations of a single-patient design, controlled clinical studies are required to confirm the efficacy and elucidate the mechanisms.
{"title":"Integrative Unani pharmacotherapy in chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease: A case report","authors":"Sabiha Fatima , Shaik Asgar","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that often requires prolonged proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. It frequently coexists with <em>Helicobacter pylori</em>-associated gastritis. Limitations of long-term PPI use, symptom recurrence, and patient adherence have increased interest in complementary medical systems. Unani system of medicine (USM) conceptualizes reflux-like disorders as disturbances of digestion and gastric temperament, emphasizing mucosal protection and physiological restoration.</div></div><div><h3>Case Presentation</h3><div>A 39-year-old man with a four-year history of severe GERD presented with persistent heartburn, regurgitation, epigastric burning, nausea, and sleep disturbance. Baseline investigations revealed <em>H. pylori</em> associated pangastritis in endoscopy, and Grade II–III reflux on barium swallow. After a brief course of conventional triple therapy for background gastritis, a structured 12-week Unani regimen was initiated as the primary intervention for GERD. Lifestyle corrections and dietary counseling were also provided. PPI therapy was discontinued after two weeks. Clinical symptoms, quality of life scores, imaging findings, and safety parameters were monitored.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The patient demonstrated progressive and clinically meaningful improvement with marked reduction in GERD-HRQL scores. Follow-up endoscopy showed descriptive improvement in gastric mucosa, and barium swallow findings normalized by week 14. The laboratory test results remained normal, and no adverse effects were reported. Clinical improvement was maintained at six-month follow-up without PPI use.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In this case, a structured Unani regimen administered after short-term conventional therapy was temporally associated with improvement in chronic GERD symptoms and functional outcomes. Although gastritis improved descriptively, post-treatment <em>H. pylori</em> eradication was not assessed. Given the inherent limitations of a single-patient design, controlled clinical studies are required to confirm the efficacy and elucidate the mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103319"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146013263","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2026.103318
Seong-Hyun Lee , Yoo-Jin Lee , Dong-Soo Seol , Kyung-Rae Kang , Seungchul Yeom , Ju-Yeon Kim , In-Hyuk Ha
Vertebral compression fractures, typically caused by trauma or osteoporosis, are generally treated through conservative care, including absolute bed rest and thoracolumbosacral orthosis. However, prolonged bed rest can lead to muscle atrophy, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Thus, alternative management approaches for spinal compression fractures are needed. Few reports have examined the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in patients with traumatic multiple compression fractures. This case report describes a 51-year-old Korean male patient who presented to our hospital with thoracolumbar pain following a traffic accident. While initial radiographic examinations revealed only a few fractures, subsequent magnetic resonance imaging identified multiple compression fractures at seven vertebral levels: T3, T4, T5, T9, T12, L1, and L2. The patient underwent integrative Korean medicine treatment, consisting of acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and interferential current therapy, across two hospitalizations and outpatient follow-up visits. During the course of treatment, the patient's numeric rating scale score decreased from 7 to 0, the Oswestry Disability Index score improved from 60 to 2, and the EQ-5D score increased from 0.48 to 1.0. Moreover, the lumbar spine range of motion returned to normal levels. This report presents a rare example of a patient with traumatic multiple spinal compression fractures who showed significant analgesia and functional improvement with integrative Korean medicine treatment alone, without the need for absolute bed rest or thoracolumbosacral orthosis. Thus, Korean medicine-based approaches may serve as useful and effective treatment strategies for providing conservative care while minimizing complications associated with prolonged bed rest.
{"title":"Effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine for traumatic multiple spinal compression fractures: A case report","authors":"Seong-Hyun Lee , Yoo-Jin Lee , Dong-Soo Seol , Kyung-Rae Kang , Seungchul Yeom , Ju-Yeon Kim , In-Hyuk Ha","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103318","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2026.103318","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vertebral compression fractures, typically caused by trauma or osteoporosis, are generally treated through conservative care, including absolute bed rest and thoracolumbosacral orthosis. However, prolonged bed rest can lead to muscle atrophy, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Thus, alternative management approaches for spinal compression fractures are needed. Few reports have examined the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in patients with traumatic multiple compression fractures. This case report describes a 51-year-old Korean male patient who presented to our hospital with thoracolumbar pain following a traffic accident. While initial radiographic examinations revealed only a few fractures, subsequent magnetic resonance imaging identified multiple compression fractures at seven vertebral levels: T3, T4, T5, T9, T12, L1, and L2. The patient underwent integrative Korean medicine treatment, consisting of acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and interferential current therapy, across two hospitalizations and outpatient follow-up visits. During the course of treatment, the patient's numeric rating scale score decreased from 7 to 0, the Oswestry Disability Index score improved from 60 to 2, and the EQ-5D score increased from 0.48 to 1.0. Moreover, the lumbar spine range of motion returned to normal levels. This report presents a rare example of a patient with traumatic multiple spinal compression fractures who showed significant analgesia and functional improvement with integrative Korean medicine treatment alone, without the need for absolute bed rest or thoracolumbosacral orthosis. Thus, Korean medicine-based approaches may serve as useful and effective treatment strategies for providing conservative care while minimizing complications associated with prolonged bed rest.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103318"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928151","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/S1550-8307(26)00018-2
{"title":"Masthead page","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1550-8307(26)00018-2","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1550-8307(26)00018-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 103331"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022444","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2025.103309
Minghua Wei , Feng Liu , Yongjian Liu , Jifeng Dang , Qingxuan Cao , Zhou Wang
Introduction
Osteolytic bone metastases are a severe complication of advanced thyroid cancer, associated with a poor prognosis. Complete structural regeneration of affected bone is exceedingly rare within conventional therapeutic paradigms. The pathology involves a “vicious cycle” of bone destruction, largely mediated by dysregulation of the RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling axis. This report documents an exceptional clinical observation: the apparent complete regeneration of extensive osteolytic bone metastases and simultaneous regression of pulmonary metastases, observed in a patient undergoing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monotherapy after declining conventional treatments. This case highlights the potential for TCM to offer avenues for future investigation in integrative oncology.
{"title":"Apparent regeneration of Osteolytic bone metastases and resolution of pulmonary metastases associated with traditional Chinese medicine treatment in a patient with thyroid cancer: A hypothesis-generating case report","authors":"Minghua Wei , Feng Liu , Yongjian Liu , Jifeng Dang , Qingxuan Cao , Zhou Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103309","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103309","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Osteolytic bone metastases are a severe complication of advanced thyroid cancer, associated with a poor prognosis. Complete structural regeneration of affected bone is exceedingly rare within conventional therapeutic paradigms. The pathology involves a “vicious cycle” of bone destruction, largely mediated by dysregulation of the RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling axis. This report documents an exceptional clinical observation: the apparent complete regeneration of extensive osteolytic bone metastases and simultaneous regression of pulmonary metastases, observed in a patient undergoing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monotherapy after declining conventional treatments. This case highlights the potential for TCM to offer avenues for future investigation in integrative oncology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 103309"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145866316","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2025.103310
Jenny M. Wilkinson
Objective
The objective of this study was to explore the nature of retraction notices associated with complementary and alternative medicine focused journals.
Method
Data related to retractions in complementary and alternative medicine journals were extracted from the Retraction Watch Database for the period 2000-2025.
Results
The analysis found that there were 902 notices associated with 42 complementary and alternative medicine journals. Overall, the percentage of retractions relative to all papers published in the named journals is low (<1%) however a single journal was responsible for 84% of retractions. The majority of these retractions occurred in 2023 as the result of a wider publisher investigation into paper mills and sham peer-review. Similar to other studies, retraction was rarely due to a single cause but reflected a mix of data integrity concerns, peer-review issues, evidence of plagiarism and other issues. The average time between original publication and retraction was 19 months (mode 10 months) with 98% of publications having multiple authors. The main country of origin of authors of retracted works were China, India and South Korea.
Discussion
Published peer-reviewed literature is used in a range of ways, as the foundation for future studies, incorporated in systematic reviews, clinical decision-making and in training of practitioners and clinicians. While this study has demonstrated that retractions in the complementary and alternative medicine literature is generally at a lower level, any evidence of publication integrity breach is a concern and should be cause for ongoing monitoring.
{"title":"Should we be worried? Retractions in complementary and alternative medicine journals","authors":"Jenny M. Wilkinson","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103310","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103310","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objective of this study was to explore the nature of retraction notices associated with complementary and alternative medicine focused journals.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Data related to retractions in complementary and alternative medicine journals were extracted from the Retraction Watch Database for the period 2000-2025.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis found that there were 902 notices associated with 42 complementary and alternative medicine journals. Overall, the percentage of retractions relative to all papers published in the named journals is low (<1%) however a single journal was responsible for 84% of retractions. The majority of these retractions occurred in 2023 as the result of a wider publisher investigation into paper mills and sham peer-review. Similar to other studies, retraction was rarely due to a single cause but reflected a mix of data integrity concerns, peer-review issues, evidence of plagiarism and other issues. The average time between original publication and retraction was 19 months (mode 10 months) with 98% of publications having multiple authors. The main country of origin of authors of retracted works were China, India and South Korea.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Published peer-reviewed literature is used in a range of ways, as the foundation for future studies, incorporated in systematic reviews, clinical decision-making and in training of practitioners and clinicians. While this study has demonstrated that retractions in the complementary and alternative medicine literature is generally at a lower level, any evidence of publication integrity breach is a concern and should be cause for ongoing monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103310"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928148","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}
Endotracheal suctioning is a common painful procedure in intensive care. Reflexology massage, a non-pharmacological pain relief method, hasn't been studied in this context.
Aim
To examine the effect of reflexology hand massage and placebo hand massage on pain and hemodynamic parameters related to endotracheal suctioning.
Study design
This double-blind, randomized, 2 × 2 crossover controlled trial included 24 intubated ICU patients. Massage was applied to both hands of individuals in the reflexology and placebo groups for 10 min on each hand, for a total of 20 min over two consecutive days. Data were collected using the Patient Demographic Information Form, Hemodynamic Parameters and Pain Monitoring Form, Critical Care Pain Observation Tool. The data were analyzed using pairwise and triple group comparison tests for dependent and independent groups.
Results
The pain scores of patients who received reflexology on the first and second day before, during, and after suctioning were 0.33±0.65, 1.83±1.02, 0.00±0.00, and 0.58±0.90, 1.66±1.07, 0.00±0.00, respectively. The pain scores of patients who received placebo massage on the first and second day were recorded as 1.83±1.46, 3.58±0.99, 0.66±0.65, and 1.33±0.98, 3.08±0.79, 0.75±0.62, respectively (p < 0.05 between and within groups). After suctioning, a decrease in diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate, along with an increase in tidal volume, was observed in the reflexology group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Hand reflexology massage is effective in alleviating suction-related pain and improving the patient's hemodynamics. Hand reflexology massage may be recommended for reducing suction pain, providing comfort, and improving hemodynamic instability in intensive care patients.
{"title":"The effect of hand reflexology massage on pain and hemodynamic parameters during endotracheal suctioning: A double-blind, randomized, 2 × 2 crossover study","authors":"İlkin Yilmaz, Gizem Göktuna, Gülşah GÜROL Arslan, Dilek Özden","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103313","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103313","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Endotracheal suctioning is a common painful procedure in intensive care. Reflexology massage, a non-pharmacological pain relief method, hasn't been studied in this context.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To examine the effect of reflexology hand massage and placebo hand massage on pain and hemodynamic parameters related to endotracheal suctioning.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>This double-blind, randomized, 2 × 2 crossover controlled trial included 24 intubated ICU patients. Massage was applied to both hands of individuals in the reflexology and placebo groups for 10 min on each hand, for a total of 20 min over two consecutive days. Data were collected using the Patient Demographic Information Form, Hemodynamic Parameters and Pain Monitoring Form, Critical Care Pain Observation Tool. The data were analyzed using pairwise and triple group comparison tests for dependent and independent groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The pain scores of patients who received reflexology on the first and second day before, during, and after suctioning were 0.33±0.65, 1.83±1.02, 0.00±0.00, and 0.58±0.90, 1.66±1.07, 0.00±0.00, respectively. The pain scores of patients who received placebo massage on the first and second day were recorded as 1.83±1.46, 3.58±0.99, 0.66±0.65, and 1.33±0.98, 3.08±0.79, 0.75±0.62, respectively (<em>p</em> < 0.05 between and within groups). After suctioning, a decrease in diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate, along with an increase in tidal volume, was observed in the reflexology group (<em>p</em> < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Hand reflexology massage is effective in alleviating suction-related pain and improving the patient's hemodynamics. Hand reflexology massage may be recommended for reducing suction pain, providing comfort, and improving hemodynamic instability in intensive care patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"22 2","pages":"Article 103313"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979384","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}
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