Advances in integrative medicine最新文献

Hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare is the Mahā Mantra (MM). The Mantra is believed to be the sacred mantra from the ancient times. In the current research, an attempt has been made to study the brain dynamics of oscillatory changes after MM chanting. The mantra chanting produces a state of mind that has a positive effect on the individual’s brain. The electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are asynchronous in nature and record the brain's present state. In this study, forty individuals were assigned randomly into two (pre &post) groups,(n=20) with equal ratio of male and female and having mean age 25.5 yr. EEG signal was recorded in eyes closed condition both prior as well as after the MM chanting. The rhythms (Delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) were extracted from the recorded EEG signals. To match the behavioural changes in the nature of the EEG, the power of the rhythm was computed and compared. According to the study, chanting MM leads to increase in alpha relative power in the central and parietal regions of the brain, which indicates that the brain has been refreshed and relieved. The study showed generous production of alpha, theta and delta waves which has been found in the study to be associated with the secretion of hormones or neurotransmitters causing dilation of blood vessels. As per literature it has been found that increase in relative alpha band power is associated with the secretion of hormones or neurotransmitters causing dilation of blood vessels which is further associated with the improvement in the mental well-being and feeling relaxed and releived, thus leading to decrease in anxiety and depression. The current research study proves the impact of the MM chanting leads to mental alleviation and mental well-being to a great extent.

Objectives

Naturopaths provide care to patients across all life stages and are visited by some members of their community for assistance with preconception, fertility, pregnancy and postnatal care. This study aims to describe the practice behaviours of naturopaths with a special interest in women’s health and who regularly provide care to pregnant women.

Methods

A secondary analysis of data collected through the Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI).

Results

Of the 281 naturopaths included in the analysis, 79.4% (n=223) indicated they have an interest in women’s health and 70.1% (n=110/157) reported regularly treating pregnant women. Naturopaths who identified as having a clinical interest in women’s health were more likely to be female rather than male (OR 12.9) and were more likely to regularly prescribe herbal infusions (OR 3.5). Naturopaths who regularly treated pregnant women were more likely to also treat infants and toddlers (OR 8.8). Naturopaths were also less likely to report having received their first qualifications 15 or more years ago compared to less than 15 years ago if they reported regularly treating pregnant women (OR 0.1–0.2).

Conclusions

The self-reported practice behaviours of naturopaths providing care to women for reproductve and maternal health suggest a possible alignment with the domains prioritised in global health recommendations, however the degree to which naturopaths are providing accurate information is unclear. Naturopaths may play a role in the contemporary delivery of maternal and child health care, but a closer examination is needed to ensure women are receiving the appropriate care during this important life stage.

Background

A feasibility study using trial methodology comparing the impact of two behavioural motivational interventions on intention to practice and engagement with pranayama and perceived wellbeing a week after the intervention.

Materials and methods

Healthcare professionals, from mainstream and complementary disciplines were randomised into one of two motivational conditions, Pranayama with an Implementation Intention statement and Pranayama with a Benefits Analysis statement. Interventions were delivered via Qualtrics which embedded an unlisted YouTube demonstration for different conditions. A qualitative analysis of the self-generated statements was conducted alongside a quantitative analysis for general wellbeing based on outcome from the WHO-5, and measures of affect, motivation, capability, and opportunity.

Results

155 participants showed an interest in the study, with an intention to treat (n=84) analysis performed. Both motivational messages were associated with increased practice and intention to practice pranayama over time, an increased sense of capability and opportunity for practise, limited impact on emotional regulation and no change in general wellbeing. Qualitative findings showed implementation intention effectiveness is not necessarily based on verbatim remembering, subjective benefits experienced were mainly emotional, or a combination of somatic and emotional; that challenges of working in healthcare environments possibly block implementation intentions from being used effectively.

Conclusion

This one-week intervention was adequate to increase practise and intention to practise pranayama. An adequate number of people participated in this study; study retention was high. Participants were highly motivated and the main barriers to engagement linked to capability and opportunity. Further exploration about the mechanism that encourages people to practise pranayama in different settings is required.

Objective

We systematically reviewed different waiting room designs and interventions during the waiting time, before medical or dental treatment. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool.

Data

Studies reporting on different interventions in medical waiting areas and parameters like heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure DBP), respiratory rate (RR) and/or anxiety [state trait anxiety inventory (STAI), visual analogue scale (VAS)] and mood [multi-dimensional mood state questionnaire (MDBF)] were included. Two authors independently searched and extracted records.

Sources

Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Google Scholar) were screened, and hand searches and cross-referencing performed.

Study selection

81 articles were included for qualitative (n=53) and quantitative (n=28) analyses. The meta-analysis revealed significant reduction in the patient’s HR when exposed to aquariums for 20 minutes (p=0.02), animal/bird/aquarium videos (p=0.001). BP was significantly reduced by listening to music for <20 minutes (SBP: p=0.011; DBP: p=0.029). Overall subjective assessments revealed a significant reduction (p<0.001) in anxiety by music and aroma therapy (>20 minutes: p<0.001; <20 minutes: p=0.014).

Conclusions

Optimal exposure time to aquariums, animal/bird/aquarium videos, aromatherapy, or listening to music may have a positive impact on the pre-treatment stress and anxiety of patients waiting to undergo a medical procedure.

Clinical significance

Music, aroma and aquarium interventions in waiting areas can be recommended for clinical practice. The side effect profile is low and all three interventions show an anxiety-reducing effect, when waiting times are 20 minutes and more. Dentists could use the waiting area to reduce stress and anxiety in their patients.

Background

The utilization of medicinal plants and their recipes is widespread across global healthcare systems, particularly prevalent in developing nations. This study focused on ethnomedicinal practices concerning wild flora in the Vehari district of Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods

Employing a semi-structured questionnaire and the Rapid Appraisal Approach (RAA) through in-person interviews, data were collected from a diverse sample of 348 informants, including 115 women and 233 men.

Results

The study documented twenty-three wild medicinal plant species spanning seventeen plant families, with Fabaceae representing a significant portion of the collected specimens. Notably, whole plants, predominantly leaves, emerged as the primary ingredients in medicinal recipes, emphasizing the importance of these botanical resources in traditional healing practices. The highest Informant consensus factor (ICF) was 0.985, recorded for dandruff, anti-allergic, and fever. Parthenium hysterophorus, Eclipta prostrata, and Citrullus colocynthsis had the highest Use value (UV) i.e., 0.733. The highest Fidelity level (FL) was calculated for Peganum harmala (100%), Parthenium hysterophorus, Eclipta prostrata, and Citrullus colocynthsis (73.33), against joint pain and liver disease, which corresponds to the abundance of these ailments. The highest Jaccard index (JI) was calculated for district Bahawalnagar (17.8), District Vehari (16.27), District Layyah (16.09), and India (10.6), which corresponds to the similarity index with said areas. The following fifteen species were identified with new traditional recipes: Calotropis procera, Chenopodium murale, Citrullus colcynthesis, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus relegiosa, Fagonia indica, Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach, Acacia nilotica, Cuscuta reflexa, Eclipta prostrata, Corchorus depressus, Fumaria indica, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Peganum harmala.

Conclusion

The findings reveal a rich diversity of plant species utilized for various ailments, with a notable emphasis on the utilization of whole plants, particularly leaves, in medicinal recipes. Moreover, the identification of new traditional recipes for several plant species suggests potential avenues for the discovery of innovative phytotherapeutic compounds, highlighting the importance of continued research in this field.

Objectives

Utilisation of university campus green spaces (such as campus gardens) has been associated with enhanced student wellbeing. Limited qualitative research exists on the role that campus gardens have in promoting student wellbeing in smaller tertiary institutions. The present study was designed to identify and explore how undergraduate students at a small tertiary college utilised an extensive campus herb garden for social and personal purposes outside of coursework.

Methods

Twenty-one undergraduate naturopathy and herbal medicine students at a tertiary institution in Auckland, New Zealand were individually interviewed. An inductive thematic approach was used to analyse the data.

Results

The campus herb garden promoted students’ social wellbeing by providing a physical setting where students could meet and socialise with each other outside of prescribed coursework. These social interactions helped create a sense of shared community among the students. Students collectively and individually utilised the garden for relaxation and recreational purposes. The campus herb garden provided students with a pleasant sensory environment where they could physically have a break from their coursework. Time spent in the campus herb garden was perceived to help students counteract study-related and general stress.

Conclusions

This study provided qualitative insights regarding how a campus green space in the form of an extensive herb garden was utilised both collectively and individually by naturopathic students to enhance their social and personal wellbeing. Study findings add further evidence regarding the value of green spaces in promoting student wellbeing in tertiary education settings.

Background

Acupuncture is a traditional healing system used to prevent and treat hypertension in many countries. Acupuncture point “Zusanli (ST-36)” is used to nourish blood and yin. However, no known studies reported the effect of needling at only ST-36 on cardiovascular parameters.

Objectives

This study was performed to find the effectiveness of ST-36 on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with hypertension.

Methods

A total of 100 participants with primary hypertension aged between 30 years and70 years were randomly assigned into either acupuncture group (AG) or control group (CG). AG underwent only one session of bilateral needling at ST-36 acupuncture point for duration of 20 minutes, while the CG underwent only one session of bilateral needling at non-acupuncture point for the same duration.

Results

Results of the study showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure in the AG compared to the CG. In addition, a significant increase in intervals between adjacent QRS complexes (R-R interval), and a significant reduction in heart rate were observed in AG, unlike CG.

Conclusions

Needling at ST-36 acupuncture point may improve cardiovascular function better than needling at non-acupuncture points in patients with hypertension.