Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100589
Mohammad Taghi Rezaipour , Fatemeh Nejatbakhsh , Younes Roohani , Mohammad Sadegh Adel-Mehraban , Alireza Abbassian
Background and purpose
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant health issue that negatively affects quality of life. Given the high recurrence rate of CLBP and patients' reluctance to undergo invasive treatments, Persian Medicine offers a manual technique for pain management. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a Persian Medicine-based manual technique to treat patients with CLBP.
Materials and methods
This randomized controlled trial was performed among 108 patients with CLBP referred to Tehran University of Medical Sciences outpatient clinic from July to December 2024. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (using block randomization) to receive either Persian Medicine or a sham manual technique simulating the original technique. Each patient received the intervention in a single session, and pain severity and disability were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) at four time points. Data were analyzed using SPSS v16 software with repeated-measures ANOVA.
Results
Half of the patients were male, with a mean age of 46.93 years. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics, except for age and marital status, which did not affect study outcomes. The intervention group significantly reduced pain severity (MD: −3.1, 95 %CI: −3.92 to −2.27) (P < 0.001) and improved RMDQ scores (P < 0.001) (MD: −4.72, 95 %CI: −6.52 to −2.91) with lower recurrence rate, compared to the sham group (MD: −0.3, 95 %CI: −0.92 to +0.32, and MD: −0.9, 95 %CI: −3.02 to +1.22, respectively). No adverse effects were reported.
Conclusion
The Persian Medicine manual technique may be considered a complementary treatment for patients with CLBP, providing effective pain relief and improvement in disability.
{"title":"Investigating the effect of traditional Persian manual technique on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial","authors":"Mohammad Taghi Rezaipour , Fatemeh Nejatbakhsh , Younes Roohani , Mohammad Sadegh Adel-Mehraban , Alireza Abbassian","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100589","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100589","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and purpose</h3><div>Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant health issue that negatively affects quality of life. Given the high recurrence rate of CLBP and patients' reluctance to undergo invasive treatments, Persian Medicine offers a manual technique for pain management. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a Persian Medicine-based manual technique to treat patients with CLBP.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This randomized controlled trial was performed among 108 patients with CLBP referred to Tehran University of Medical Sciences outpatient clinic from July to December 2024. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (using block randomization) to receive either Persian Medicine or a sham manual technique simulating the original technique. Each patient received the intervention in a single session, and pain severity and disability were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) at four time points. Data were analyzed using SPSS v16 software with repeated-measures ANOVA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Half of the patients were male, with a mean age of 46.93 years. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics, except for age and marital status, which did not affect study outcomes. The intervention group significantly reduced pain severity (MD: −3.1, 95 %CI: −3.92 to −2.27) (P < 0.001) and improved RMDQ scores (P < 0.001) (MD: −4.72, 95 %CI: −6.52 to −2.91) with lower recurrence rate, compared to the sham group (MD: −0.3, 95 %CI: −0.92 to +0.32, and MD: −0.9, 95 %CI: −3.02 to +1.22, respectively). No adverse effects were reported.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The Persian Medicine manual technique may be considered a complementary treatment for patients with CLBP, providing effective pain relief and improvement in disability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100589"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2026.100612
Yanping Huang , Lu Liu , Jingru Song , Dengcheng Hui , Lanfeng Xie , Silan Shen , Yulang Jiang , Dan Wang , Hongyan Cao , Yancheng Dai , Mingmei Zhou , Qin Zhang , Mingyu Sun
<div><h3>Background</h3><div>CHB patients with NAs still suffer from TCM symptoms which affect the quality of life varying severity. The pathogenesis of CHB in TCM is the accumulation of damp-heat, while there are sub-types of damp heat syndrome.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yinchen Wuling powder combined with NAs on CHB patients of damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome, while investigate the potential mechanisms and novel applications of classical prescriptions through network pharmacology combined with metabolomics.</div></div><div><h3>Design setting participants and intervention</h3><div>It was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study at 3 hospitals in Shanghai. A total of 62 participants diagnosed with damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome of CHB patients with NAs were randomly allocated to receive either Yinchen Wuling powder or placebo; the therapy consisted of 8.4 g dosage, administered twice a day after meals for a duration of 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected for non-targeted metabolomics research of characteristic metabolites of CHB patients and pathways enriched by YCWLP treatment. The metabolic network and target of YCWLP on CHB patients of damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome was constructed by the integration of network pharmacology and non-targeted metabolomics.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>The primary outcome measures of the TCM syndrome were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks treatment with total scores of TCM Syndrome. Serum HBsAg decrease, serum HBV DNA negative rate and serum HBeAg conversion were investigated as exploratory indicators during the clinical study.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The findings demonstrated that Yinchen Wuling powder has an effect on TCM syndrome on damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome of CHB patients with NAs, the total efficiency rate of TCM syndrome was 61.3 % in YCWLP group (<em>P</em> < 0.05). A reduction of serum HBsAg was found in HBeAg negative CHB patients with NAs by YCWLP (<em>P</em> < 0.05). No significant adverse drug responses were noticed in either group during the study. The TCM syndrome of damp-heat syndrome of CHB patients with NAs may be improved by regulating linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, etc. By integrating related metabolic pathways constructed with network pharmacology and metabolomics and gene sets of metabolite enzyme, the active ingredients of YCWLP (such as quercetin, β-sitosterol and capillarisin, et al.) may improve TCM syndrome through these core targets by regulate metabolism.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The findings indicated that Yinchen Wuling powder effectively improved the TCM syndrome in treatment of damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome of CHB patients with NAs in safety. Clinically, it is necessary for damp-heat syndrome of CHB patients to finely distinguish between damp and heat in or
{"title":"The regulatory effects of Yinchen Wuling powder on chronic Hepatitis B patients with NAs by integrating network pharmacology and metabolomics: A randomized -controlled clinical study","authors":"Yanping Huang , Lu Liu , Jingru Song , Dengcheng Hui , Lanfeng Xie , Silan Shen , Yulang Jiang , Dan Wang , Hongyan Cao , Yancheng Dai , Mingmei Zhou , Qin Zhang , Mingyu Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2026.100612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2026.100612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>CHB patients with NAs still suffer from TCM symptoms which affect the quality of life varying severity. The pathogenesis of CHB in TCM is the accumulation of damp-heat, while there are sub-types of damp heat syndrome.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yinchen Wuling powder combined with NAs on CHB patients of damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome, while investigate the potential mechanisms and novel applications of classical prescriptions through network pharmacology combined with metabolomics.</div></div><div><h3>Design setting participants and intervention</h3><div>It was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study at 3 hospitals in Shanghai. A total of 62 participants diagnosed with damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome of CHB patients with NAs were randomly allocated to receive either Yinchen Wuling powder or placebo; the therapy consisted of 8.4 g dosage, administered twice a day after meals for a duration of 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected for non-targeted metabolomics research of characteristic metabolites of CHB patients and pathways enriched by YCWLP treatment. The metabolic network and target of YCWLP on CHB patients of damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome was constructed by the integration of network pharmacology and non-targeted metabolomics.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>The primary outcome measures of the TCM syndrome were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks treatment with total scores of TCM Syndrome. Serum HBsAg decrease, serum HBV DNA negative rate and serum HBeAg conversion were investigated as exploratory indicators during the clinical study.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The findings demonstrated that Yinchen Wuling powder has an effect on TCM syndrome on damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome of CHB patients with NAs, the total efficiency rate of TCM syndrome was 61.3 % in YCWLP group (<em>P</em> < 0.05). A reduction of serum HBsAg was found in HBeAg negative CHB patients with NAs by YCWLP (<em>P</em> < 0.05). No significant adverse drug responses were noticed in either group during the study. The TCM syndrome of damp-heat syndrome of CHB patients with NAs may be improved by regulating linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, etc. By integrating related metabolic pathways constructed with network pharmacology and metabolomics and gene sets of metabolite enzyme, the active ingredients of YCWLP (such as quercetin, β-sitosterol and capillarisin, et al.) may improve TCM syndrome through these core targets by regulate metabolism.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The findings indicated that Yinchen Wuling powder effectively improved the TCM syndrome in treatment of damp-heat and damp-predominant syndrome of CHB patients with NAs in safety. Clinically, it is necessary for damp-heat syndrome of CHB patients to finely distinguish between damp and heat in or","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100612"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100605
Andressa Bressan Pedroso , Aline Josiane Waclawovsky , Eduarda Bitencourt dos Santos , Felipe Barreto Schuch , Gabriele Ferreira da Silva da Costa , Diego Chemello , Patrícia Chagas
Background and purpose
non-pharmacological therapies have been used as part of the treatment of insomnia. Laying on of Hands (LH) is an Integrative and Complementary Health Practice that involves the transfer of vital energy through touch and encompasses techniques such as Reiki and Therapeutic Touch (TT). The effects of LH on anxiety, depression, and stress have been studied through systematic reviews; however, to the best of our knowledge, the effect on sleep quality has not been systematically summarized. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of LH on the sleep quality of adults and elderly.
Methods
This is a systematic review of randomized clinical trials, conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Clinical trials with adult and elderly population evaluating the effects of LH on sleep quality and related domains were included. The results of individual studies were analyzed qualitatively and the risk of bias was assessed using Rob2 tool.
Results
18,585 articles were found, and 9 were eligible for systematic review. The studies used different LH techniques, and were conducted in diverse populations. The results are mixed, with most studies suggest favorable effects of LH on sleep quality. However, these findings are based on studies with high or moderate risk of bias.
Conclusion
most studies found significant effects of LH on sleep quality; however, the lack of possibility of running a meta-analysis and the high risk of bias of the included studies requires caution when interpreting the findings of this study.
{"title":"Effect of the laying on of hands techniques on sleep quality: A systematic review","authors":"Andressa Bressan Pedroso , Aline Josiane Waclawovsky , Eduarda Bitencourt dos Santos , Felipe Barreto Schuch , Gabriele Ferreira da Silva da Costa , Diego Chemello , Patrícia Chagas","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and purpose</h3><div>non-pharmacological therapies have been used as part of the treatment of insomnia. Laying on of Hands (LH) is an Integrative and Complementary Health Practice that involves the transfer of vital energy through touch and encompasses techniques such as Reiki and Therapeutic Touch (TT). The effects of LH on anxiety, depression, and stress have been studied through systematic reviews; however, to the best of our knowledge, the effect on sleep quality has not been systematically summarized. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of LH on the sleep quality of adults and elderly.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This is a systematic review of randomized clinical trials, conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Clinical trials with adult and elderly population evaluating the effects of LH on sleep quality and related domains were included. The results of individual studies were analyzed qualitatively and the risk of bias was assessed using Rob2 tool.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>18,585 articles were found, and 9 were eligible for systematic review. The studies used different LH techniques, and were conducted in diverse populations. The results are mixed, with most studies suggest favorable effects of LH on sleep quality. However, these findings are based on studies with high or moderate risk of bias.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>most studies found significant effects of LH on sleep quality; however, the lack of possibility of running a meta-analysis and the high risk of bias of the included studies requires caution when interpreting the findings of this study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100605"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145879988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100592
Anaheed Shirazi , Niloofar Radgoudarzi , Hyun-Chung Kim , Marta Patterson , Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi , Matthew S. Herbert , Desiree Shapiro , Flora Wong , Lisa T. Eyler
Objectives
The role of self-compassion (SC) in improving wellness in healthcare communities and its association with emotional intelligence (EI) has been highlighted by previous studies. Despite the prominence of emotions in psychiatric encounters, research on SC training on EI and wellness among psychiatry residents is limited. This preliminary, hypothesis-generating study aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and trends for potential effects of a tailored Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program for psychiatry residents, to guide future larger-scale trials.
Method
A waitlist-control study assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of Mindful SC training tailored for psychiatry residents. Preliminary effects were assessed by Santa Clara Brief Compassion Scale, Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale–Short-form, Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short-form, Mini Z Burnout Survey, Very Brief Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale, and Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory. Non-parametric tests compared changes across cohorts and pre-post intervention. Qualitative data, interest, and attendance rates were explored to assess program acceptability and feasibility.
Results
Of 18 participants, 12 completed the study. It was likely (mean = 4.00 out of 5, 5 being highly likely) for participants to incorporate empathy and compassion into their daily lives. Only 1 participant attended all 6 sessions. Conflicts with work schedules were reported as the main barriers. The intervention cohort showed a higher increase in EI (P = 0.003) and SC (P = 0.010) from pre- to post-intervention vs the waitlist group.
Conclusions
Preliminary results suggest that mindful-self compassion training for psychiatry residents may improve their EI and SC and is acceptable and highly recommended by those who participated in the intervention. To improve attendance rates, allocating protected time within the curricula should be considered.
{"title":"A preliminary study of acceptability, feasibility and effects of a mindful self-compassion intervention on emotional intelligence and wellbeing among psychiatry residents","authors":"Anaheed Shirazi , Niloofar Radgoudarzi , Hyun-Chung Kim , Marta Patterson , Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi , Matthew S. Herbert , Desiree Shapiro , Flora Wong , Lisa T. Eyler","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The role of self-compassion (SC) in improving wellness in healthcare communities and its association with emotional intelligence (EI) has been highlighted by previous studies. Despite the prominence of emotions in psychiatric encounters, research on SC training on EI and wellness among psychiatry residents is limited. This preliminary, hypothesis-generating study aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and trends for potential effects of a tailored Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program for psychiatry residents, to guide future larger-scale trials.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A waitlist-control study assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of Mindful SC training tailored for psychiatry residents. Preliminary effects were assessed by Santa Clara Brief Compassion Scale, Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale–Short-form, Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short-form, Mini Z Burnout Survey, Very Brief Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale, and Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory. Non-parametric tests compared changes across cohorts and pre-post intervention. Qualitative data, interest, and attendance rates were explored to assess program acceptability and feasibility.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 18 participants, 12 completed the study. It was likely (mean = 4.00 out of 5, 5 being highly likely) for participants to incorporate empathy and compassion into their daily lives. Only 1 participant attended all 6 sessions. Conflicts with work schedules were reported as the main barriers. The intervention cohort showed a higher increase in EI (P = 0.003) and SC (P = 0.010) from pre- to post-intervention vs the waitlist group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Preliminary results suggest that mindful-self compassion training for psychiatry residents may improve their EI and SC and is acceptable and highly recommended by those who participated in the intervention. To improve attendance rates, allocating protected time within the curricula should be considered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100592"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study aims to implement and evaluate the Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program, considering the significant negative effects of stress on individual health, particularly among mothers.
Materials and methods
This quasi-experimental study followed a pre/post-test design and was conducted in 2023 with 50 mothers receiving services from healthcare centers in Yazd, Iran. The SMART program was delivered over eight weekly sessions, each lasting 60–90 min. Data collection utilized Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Questionnaire before and after the training. Upon program completion, participants also completed an Acceptability and Feasibility Scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA in SPSS software.
Results
The average age of participants was 39.68 ± 9.10 years. Most were housewives (88 %) and held bachelor's degrees (36 %). After the intervention, resilience scores significantly increased (mean difference =-3.64, SD = 5.10, Cohen’s d = 0.71, p = 0.0001), while perceived stress scores significantly decreased (mean difference = 4.82, SD = 5.56, Cohen’s d = 0.87, p = 0.0001). These findings suggest that the SMART program was effective in reducing stress and enhancing resilience among mothers. Moreover, demographic variables such as age, education level, and number of children were found to influence the effectiveness of the intervention. Results from the Acceptability and Feasibility Scale further indicated that the program was well-received and feasible for implementation in this population.
Conclusion
The findings of this study demonstrate that the SMART program is an effective approach for enhancing resilience and reducing stress among mothers. However, the small, homogeneous sample and absence of a control group limit the generalizability and causal interpretation of the results. Further studies with diverse samples and long-term follow-up are recommended.
{"title":"Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program among mothers receiving services from health care centers: A pilot study","authors":"Fahimeh Dehghani , Seyed Saeed Mazloomy Mahmoudabad , Reza Aghazadeh , Nahid Ardian , Deepak Palival","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to implement and evaluate the Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program, considering the significant negative effects of stress on individual health, particularly among mothers.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This quasi-experimental study followed a pre/post-test design and was conducted in 2023 with 50 mothers receiving services from healthcare centers in Yazd, Iran. The SMART program was delivered over eight weekly sessions, each lasting 60–90 min. Data collection utilized Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Questionnaire before and after the training. Upon program completion, participants also completed an Acceptability and Feasibility Scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA in SPSS software.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The average age of participants was 39.68 ± 9.10 years. Most were housewives (88 %) and held bachelor's degrees (36 %). After the intervention, resilience scores significantly increased (mean difference =-3.64, SD = 5.10, Cohen’s d = 0.71, p = 0.0001), while perceived stress scores significantly decreased (mean difference = 4.82, SD = 5.56, Cohen’s d = 0.87, p = 0.0001). These findings suggest that the SMART program was effective in reducing stress and enhancing resilience among mothers. Moreover, demographic variables such as age, education level, and number of children were found to influence the effectiveness of the intervention. Results from the Acceptability and Feasibility Scale further indicated that the program was well-received and feasible for implementation in this population.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings of this study demonstrate that the SMART program is an effective approach for enhancing resilience and reducing stress among mothers. However, the small, homogeneous sample and absence of a control group limit the generalizability and causal interpretation of the results. Further studies with diverse samples and long-term follow-up are recommended.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100607
Alastair C. Gray , Christine D. Luketic , Jess Coleman , Barbara Roberts
Complementary medicine (CM) appears to be thriving in New Zealand. Homeopathy is an important profession within the broader field of CM, yet there is little empirical evidence relating to homeopathy in New Zealand. In response, the aim of this study is to understand practitioner perceptions to the challenges faced in establishing and maintaining a practice, the broader systemic challenges faced by the homeopathic profession, as well as the supplementary forms of work and income undertaken by practitioners alongside their practice of homeopathy. An online survey was administered to homeopaths in New Zealand. The three biggest challenges identified were: ‘difficulty building a client base’ (11.7 %), a ‘lack of business skills and experience’ (10 %) and ‘confidence in building practice’ (8.6 %). The largest age grouping, 51–60-year-olds, found difficulties in ‘managing their confidence’, ‘applying business skills’, ‘experiencing feelings of isolation’ and identified that the ‘public of New Zealand did not understand homeopathy’. Many respondents (69 %) were engaged in homeopathy practice at least 6 h a week, with 25 % engaged in practice more than 20 h per week. Most respondents (64 %) see less than 5 clients per week. Many (66 %) of respondents reported that other work and income were required to supplement the income derived from homeopathy. Despite reporting satisfaction with their work, and readiness to practice homeopathy most homeopaths are in other employment. More than half of homeopaths in New Zealand (almost two thirds) have a second job and/or income supplementation, and this additional work can total on average 25 h per week. Practitioners perceive that they are learning on the job and require supplementary income at the same time. These two forces seem to be possibly incompatible and further examination of homeopaths’ perceptions appear warranted in order to more deeply understand the profession and practice of homeopathy in New Zealand.
{"title":"Tensions, challenges, risks and opportunities in the current and future delivery of homeopathy in New Zealand: A survey of practitioner perceptions","authors":"Alastair C. Gray , Christine D. Luketic , Jess Coleman , Barbara Roberts","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100607","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100607","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Complementary medicine (CM) appears to be thriving in New Zealand. Homeopathy is an important profession within the broader field of CM, yet there is little empirical evidence relating to homeopathy in New Zealand. In response, the aim of this study is to understand practitioner perceptions to the challenges faced in establishing and maintaining a practice, the broader systemic challenges faced by the homeopathic profession, as well as the supplementary forms of work and income undertaken by practitioners alongside their practice of homeopathy. An online survey was administered to homeopaths in New Zealand. The three biggest challenges identified were: ‘difficulty building a client base’ (11.7 %), a ‘lack of business skills and experience’ (10 %) and ‘confidence in building practice’ (8.6 %). The largest age grouping, 51–60-year-olds, found difficulties in ‘managing their confidence’, ‘applying business skills’, ‘experiencing feelings of isolation’ and identified that the ‘public of New Zealand did not understand homeopathy’. Many respondents (69 %) were engaged in homeopathy practice at least 6 h a week, with 25 % engaged in practice more than 20 h per week. Most respondents (64 %) see less than 5 clients per week. Many (66 %) of respondents reported that other work and income were required to supplement the income derived from homeopathy. Despite reporting satisfaction with their work, and readiness to practice homeopathy most homeopaths are in other employment. More than half of homeopaths in New Zealand (almost two thirds) have a second job and/or income supplementation, and this additional work can total on average 25 h per week. Practitioners perceive that they are learning on the job and require supplementary income at the same time. These two forces seem to be possibly incompatible and further examination of homeopaths’ perceptions appear warranted in order to more deeply understand the profession and practice of homeopathy in New Zealand.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100607"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) plays a significant role in asthma management.
Objectives
This study evaluated the efficacy of an herbal sachet as an adjunct to conventional asthma therapy, focusing on its impact on the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and cough severity (CS) scores in patients with mild to moderate asthma.
Materials and methods
In this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 102 patients with mild to moderate asthma were assigned to receive either a herbal sachet (5000 mg, Bis in die [BID]) or a placebo for 30 days, alongside standard therapy. The primary outcomes were Cough severity (CS) that was assessed at baseline (T0), at 15 days (T1) and at the 30-day follow-up (T2), with assessments conducted via telephone. The ACT was evaluated at T0 and T2.
Result
There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics. However, within-group and between-group analyses revealed a significant improvement in ACT scores in the treatment group (herbal sachet [n = 51], p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant interaction effect of time and intervention on CS scores was observed in the treatment group (F = 1574.41, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.94). Within-group analysis showed a significant reduction in CS scores at T0, T1, and T2 (75.58 ± 3.17, 55.02 ± 1.48, and 40.12 ± 2.23, respectively; F = 3375.79, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.96). In contrast, the placebo group exhibited a modest yet significant decrease in CS scores at T0, T1, and T2 (75.81 ± 0.94, 70.32 ± 2.14, and 67.84 ± 3.89, respectively; F = 160.31, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.76).
Conclusion
This trial demonstrated that the standardized herbal sachet, as an adjunct therapy, significantly improved ACT and CS in patients with mild to moderate asthma, with no serious adverse events reported during the study period. These findings may be related to the formulation’s multi-target effects on inflammatory pathways, as suggested by previous preclinical research on its components. However, these mechanisms were not directly measured in our trial, and further biomarker-based studies are required. Potential mechanisms include modulation of biomarkers such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Thromboxane A₂ (TXA2), and 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (12-HETE) acid. These findings support its use as a well-tolerated, quality-controlled complementary treatment for asthma management.
背景：补充和替代医学（CAM）在哮喘治疗中发挥着重要作用。目的本研究评价中药小袋作为常规哮喘辅助治疗的疗效，重点关注其对轻中度哮喘患者哮喘控制测试（ACT）和咳嗽严重程度（CS）评分的影响。在这项随机、三盲、安慰剂对照试验中，102名轻度至中度哮喘患者被分配接受草药小袋（5000 mg, Bis in die [BID]）或安慰剂，为期30天，同时接受标准治疗。主要结局是咳嗽严重程度（CS），分别在基线（T0）、15天（T1）和30天随访（T2）时进行评估，并通过电话进行评估。在T0和T2时评估ACT。结果两组患者的基线特征无显著差异。然而，组内和组间分析显示，治疗组ACT评分有显著改善（草药香囊[n = 51],p <； 0.001）。此外，治疗组时间和干预对CS评分有显著的交互作用（F = 1574.41, p <； 0.001，效应量 = 0.94）。会分析显示显著减少CS分数在T0, T1, T2(75.58 ± 3.17,55.02 ± 1.48,和40.12 ±2.23 ,分别;F = 3375.79, p & lt; 0.001,影响大小 = 0.96)。相比之下,安慰剂组表现出温和而显著降低CS分数在T0, T1, T2(75.81 ± 0.94,70.32 ± 2.14,和67.84 ±3.89 ,分别;F = 160.31, p & lt; 0.001,影响大小 = 0.76)。结论本试验表明，标准化中药香囊作为辅助治疗，可显著改善轻中度哮喘患者的ACT和CS，研究期间无严重不良事件报告。这些发现可能与该配方对炎症途径的多靶点作用有关，正如先前对其成分的临床前研究所表明的那样。然而，这些机制在我们的试验中没有直接测量，需要进一步的基于生物标志物的研究。潜在的机制包括调节生物标志物，如白细胞介素(IL)-1β、IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNF-α)、前列腺素E2 （PGE2）、血栓素A₂（TXA2）和12-羟基二糖四烯酸（12-HETE）。这些发现支持其作为一种耐受性良好、质量可控的哮喘管理补充治疗。
{"title":"Herbal medicine formula for asthma: A triple-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial","authors":"Mohammadreza Zarei , Mehdi Zarei , Abdollatif Moini , Nahid Norouzi , Reza Biranvand , Rezvan Ghafarzadegan","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2026.100609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2026.100609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) plays a significant role in asthma management.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study evaluated the efficacy of an herbal sachet as an adjunct to conventional asthma therapy, focusing on its impact on the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and cough severity (CS) scores in patients with mild to moderate asthma.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>In this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 102 patients with mild to moderate asthma were assigned to receive either a herbal sachet (5000 mg, Bis in die [BID]) or a placebo for 30 days, alongside standard therapy. The primary outcomes were Cough severity (CS) that was assessed at baseline (T0), at 15 days (T1) and at the 30-day follow-up (T2), with assessments conducted via telephone. The ACT was evaluated at T0 and T2.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics. However, within-group and between-group analyses revealed a significant improvement in ACT scores in the treatment group (herbal sachet [n = 51], p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant interaction effect of time and intervention on CS scores was observed in the treatment group (F = 1574.41, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.94). Within-group analysis showed a significant reduction in CS scores at T0, T1, and T2 (75.58 ± 3.17, 55.02 ± 1.48, and 40.12 ± 2.23, respectively; F = 3375.79, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.96). In contrast, the placebo group exhibited a modest yet significant decrease in CS scores at T0, T1, and T2 (75.81 ± 0.94, 70.32 ± 2.14, and 67.84 ± 3.89, respectively; F = 160.31, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.76).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This trial demonstrated that the standardized herbal sachet, as an adjunct therapy, significantly improved ACT and CS in patients with mild to moderate asthma, with no serious adverse events reported during the study period. These findings may be related to the formulation’s multi-target effects on inflammatory pathways, as suggested by previous preclinical research on its components. However, these mechanisms were not directly measured in our trial, and further biomarker-based studies are required. Potential mechanisms include modulation of biomarkers such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Thromboxane A₂ (TXA2), and 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (12-HETE) acid. These findings support its use as a well-tolerated, quality-controlled complementary treatment for asthma management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100609"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nadi Pariksha (Pulse Diagnosis) is a well-known diagnostic method in Ayurveda where physicians assess a patient's pathological and physiological status through tridosha analysis. The diagnostic procedure is subjective, and there is a need to understand it better.
Objective
This study quantifies the perceptions and challenges of Ayurvedic physicians in performing Nadi Pariksha and its implications for treating diseases.
Materials and methods
The sample for this study comprised 91 Ayurvedic physicians from various regions of India. They were interviewed and asked to complete a series of questionnaires that focused on their difficulties in performing Nadi Pariksha. Hypothesis formulation, validation, and testing were carried out using statistical methods.
Results
A two-sample Mann-Whitney statistical method was used to infer physicians’ perceptions of various hypotheses. The judgements of Ayurvedic physicians with varying experience levels disagreed with the hypothesis of longer diagnostic time (p-value=0.003). However, they reached a consensus on the hypotheses relating to quantification (p-value = 0.609), learning curve (p-value = 0.355), and subjectivity (p-value=0.161).
Conclusions
The study suggests a need for objective characterization of the arterial pulse in concluding a diagnosis. Standardizing diagnostic approaches may enhance accuracy. Technology-based research would make Ayurveda more evidence-based. Moreover, there is a need for a diagnostic tool or assistive device for less experienced physicians to accelerate their learning and gain confidence in concluding a diagnosis more accurately and quickly. This can reduce the likelihood of incorrect diagnoses and unnecessary treatments, significantly enhancing patient outcomes and the overall efficiency of Ayurveda healthcare.
{"title":"Perceptions of Ayurvedic physicians on Nadi Pariksha in traditional Indian medicine – A pan India study and quantitative analysis","authors":"Saurav Kumar , Apakrita Tayade , Prabhat Kumar , Vinayak Tayade , Sanjay Chhajed , Ravi Bhallamudi","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Nadi Pariksha (Pulse Diagnosis) is a well-known diagnostic method in Ayurveda where physicians assess a patient's pathological and physiological status through <em>tridosha</em> analysis. The diagnostic procedure is subjective, and there is a need to understand it better.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study quantifies the perceptions and challenges of Ayurvedic physicians in performing Nadi Pariksha and its implications for treating diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>The sample for this study comprised 91 Ayurvedic physicians from various regions of India. They were interviewed and asked to complete a series of questionnaires that focused on their difficulties in performing Nadi Pariksha. Hypothesis formulation, validation, and testing were carried out using statistical methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A two-sample Mann-Whitney statistical method was used to infer physicians’ perceptions of various hypotheses. The judgements of Ayurvedic physicians with varying experience levels disagreed with the hypothesis of longer diagnostic time (p-value=0.003). However, they reached a consensus on the hypotheses relating to quantification (p-value = 0.609), learning curve (p-value = 0.355), and subjectivity (p-value=0.161).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The study suggests a need for objective characterization of the arterial pulse in concluding a diagnosis. Standardizing diagnostic approaches may enhance accuracy. Technology-based research would make Ayurveda more evidence-based. Moreover, there is a need for a diagnostic tool or assistive device for less experienced physicians to accelerate their learning and gain confidence in concluding a diagnosis more accurately and quickly. This can reduce the likelihood of incorrect diagnoses and unnecessary treatments, significantly enhancing patient outcomes and the overall efficiency of Ayurveda healthcare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100603"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100591
Obai Yousef , Moaz Abouelmagd , Hamdy A. Makhlouf , Ahmed Eisa , Omar Kassar , Amr Elrosasy
Background
Oxidative stress has been suggested in the pathophysiology of migraine, but the efficacy of antioxidant preventive treatments remains uncertain. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), known for its antioxidant properties, has shown promise in migraine prevention.
Aim
This study is the first systematic review to assess the evidence regarding the effectiveness of ALA in preventing migraines.
Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted on major databases up to April 2024 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (ROB2).
Results
A total of five RCTs, involving 255 patients, were included. The results indicated a significant improvement in migraine mean monthly frequency (MMF) in both the ALA as monotherapy and the ALA in combination with other treatments groups. The mean difference (MD) for MMF was −1.43 (95 % CI: [-2.48, −0.39]; p = 0.007) and −2.32 (95 % CI: [-3.18, −1.46]; p = 0.001), respectively. ALA was also effective in reducing migraine mean monthly duration (MMD) (MD = −5.2, 95 % CI: [-9.43, −0.98]; p = 0.02). Additionally, ALA led to a significantly higher risk of achieving a 50 % reduction in migraine frequency compared to the control group (relative risk = 2.00; 95 % CI: [1.34, 3.00]; p = 0.0008). No serious adverse events were reported in any of the included studies.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that ALA is a safe intervention with potential benefits in reducing the frequency of migraines. However, further studies are necessary to strengthen the evidence base and enhance our understanding of its mechanism of action.
背景氧化应激已被认为是偏头痛的病理生理机制，但抗氧化预防治疗的效果仍不确定。α硫辛酸（ALA）以其抗氧化特性而闻名，在预防偏头痛方面显示出了希望。目的本研究首次对ALA预防偏头痛有效性的证据进行系统评价。方法综合检索截至2024年4月的主要数据库，筛选相关随机对照试验（rct）。使用Cochrane偏倚风险工具（ROB2）评估研究的质量。结果共纳入5项rct，共255例患者。结果表明，在ALA单独治疗组和ALA与其他治疗组联合治疗组中，偏头痛的月平均频率（MMF）均有显著改善。MMF的平均差异（MD）分别为- 1.43（95 % CI: [-2.48, - 0.39]; p = 0.007）和- 2.32（95 % CI: [-3.18, - 1.46]; p = 0.001）。ALA在减少偏头痛平均月持续时间（MMD）方面也有效（MD = - 5.2, 95 % CI: [-9.43, - 0.98]; p = 0.02）。此外，与对照组相比，ALA导致偏头痛频率降低50% %的风险显着增加（相对风险= 2.00;95 % CI: [1.34, 3.00]; p = 0.0008）。在所有纳入的研究中均未报告严重不良事件。结论：ALA是一种安全的干预措施，在减少偏头痛发生率方面具有潜在的益处。然而，需要进一步的研究来加强证据基础，提高我们对其作用机制的理解。
{"title":"The efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Obai Yousef , Moaz Abouelmagd , Hamdy A. Makhlouf , Ahmed Eisa , Omar Kassar , Amr Elrosasy","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100591","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100591","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Oxidative stress has been suggested in the pathophysiology of migraine, but the efficacy of antioxidant preventive treatments remains uncertain. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), known for its antioxidant properties, has shown promise in migraine prevention.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study is the first systematic review to assess the evidence regarding the effectiveness of ALA in preventing migraines.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive search was conducted on major databases up to April 2024 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (ROB2).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of five RCTs, involving 255 patients, were included. The results indicated a significant improvement in migraine mean monthly frequency (MMF) in both the ALA as monotherapy and the ALA in combination with other treatments groups. The mean difference (MD) for MMF was −1.43 (95 % CI: [-2.48, −0.39]; p = 0.007) and −2.32 (95 % CI: [-3.18, −1.46]; p = 0.001), respectively. ALA was also effective in reducing migraine mean monthly duration (MMD) (MD = −5.2, 95 % CI: [-9.43, −0.98]; p = 0.02). Additionally, ALA led to a significantly higher risk of achieving a 50 % reduction in migraine frequency compared to the control group (relative risk = 2.00; 95 % CI: [1.34, 3.00]; p = 0.0008). No serious adverse events were reported in any of the included studies.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings suggest that ALA is a safe intervention with potential benefits in reducing the frequency of migraines. However, further studies are necessary to strengthen the evidence base and enhance our understanding of its mechanism of action.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100591"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100604
Y. Rosy Ayda , Abinaya Suresh , M. Alkousar Taz , MaheshKumar Kuppysamy
Intervertebral disc bulge (IVDB) is a prevalent spinal condition that significantly affects quality of life, yet current diagnostic methods can be expensive and not always easily accessible. This study explores the potential of pupil flattening as an iridological marker for IVDB. A case-control study was conducted with 60 IVDB patients and 60 healthy controls. High-resolution iris images were analyzed for pupil flattening, revealing a markedly higher prevalence in IVDB patients (88.3 % in the right iris, 81.7 % in the left iris) compared to controls (15 % in the right iris, 10 % in the left iris). ROC analysis demonstrated strong diagnostic accuracy, with AUC values of 0.79 for males (95 % CI: 0.60–0.98) and 0.88 (95 % CI: 0.78–0.99) for females. Sensitivity and specificity were particularly high in females, at 80 % and 97.62 %, respectively. These findings indicate that pupil flattening could serve as a non-invasive, cost-effective diagnostic tool for IVDB, offering a potential complement to existing diagnostic approaches.
{"title":"Pupil flattening as a diagnostic marker for intervertebral disc bulge: An iridology-based approach","authors":"Y. Rosy Ayda , Abinaya Suresh , M. Alkousar Taz , MaheshKumar Kuppysamy","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100604","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100604","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intervertebral disc bulge (IVDB) is a prevalent spinal condition that significantly affects quality of life, yet current diagnostic methods can be expensive and not always easily accessible. This study explores the potential of pupil flattening as an iridological marker for IVDB. A case-control study was conducted with 60 IVDB patients and 60 healthy controls. High-resolution iris images were analyzed for pupil flattening, revealing a markedly higher prevalence in IVDB patients (88.3 % in the right iris, 81.7 % in the left iris) compared to controls (15 % in the right iris, 10 % in the left iris). ROC analysis demonstrated strong diagnostic accuracy, with AUC values of 0.79 for males (95 % CI: 0.60–0.98) and 0.88 (95 % CI: 0.78–0.99) for females. Sensitivity and specificity were particularly high in females, at 80 % and 97.62 %, respectively. These findings indicate that pupil flattening could serve as a non-invasive, cost-effective diagnostic tool for IVDB, offering a potential complement to existing diagnostic approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100604"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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