Pub Date : 2025-05-28DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100526
Josef M. Schmidt
Introduction
One of the major shortcomings of the discussion concerning integrative medicine is often an insufficient awareness of the peculiarity and multi-dimensionality of the object in question, on the part of critics and advocates alike.
Methods
Focusing on homeopathy as an example, this paper points out that the essence of this unique concept of healing cannot be wholly understood without a basic knowledge of the dimensions that constitute it.
Results
The three traditions of thinking on which it is based date back to antiquity, namely: lógos-thinking, hómoion-thinking and iásthai-thinking, i.e. thinking in terms of rationality, similarity and healing.
Discussion
While modern medicine is, for the most part, driven by reasoning in terms of quantification and generalisation, this at the cost of neglecting the remaining two dimensions, – homeopathy, due to its methodology, finds itself constantly searching to find a balance for all of its constituents.
Conclusions
This model of a three-dimensional art of healing may serve as a paradigm for integrative medicine to recollect an awareness of its own strength and multi-dimensionality, and, finally, also for medicine and politics in general.
{"title":"A new paradigmatic framework for integrative medicine, and its implications for medicine and politics","authors":"Josef M. Schmidt","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>One of the major shortcomings of the discussion concerning integrative medicine is often an insufficient awareness of the peculiarity and multi-dimensionality of the object in question, on the part of critics and advocates alike.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Focusing on homeopathy as an example, this paper points out that the essence of this unique concept of healing cannot be wholly understood without a basic knowledge of the dimensions that constitute it.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The three traditions of thinking on which it is based date back to antiquity, namely: <em>lógos</em>-thinking, <em>hómoion</em>-thinking and <em>iásthai</em>-thinking, i.e. thinking in terms of rationality, similarity and healing.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>While modern medicine is, for the most part, driven by reasoning in terms of quantification and generalisation, this at the cost of neglecting the remaining two dimensions, – homeopathy, due to its methodology, finds itself constantly searching to find a balance for all of its constituents.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This model of a three-dimensional art of healing may serve as a paradigm for integrative medicine to recollect an awareness of its own strength and multi-dimensionality, and, finally, also for medicine and politics in general.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 3","pages":"Article 100526"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144471469","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 : 2025-05-23DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100506
Jeremy Y. Ng , Alep Judge , Holger Cramer
Background
The use of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is known to be popular worldwide; there have been over 200,000 research articles published on this topic as of 2024. For decades, traditional citation-based metrics have been the assumed norm when assessing the impact of research, but in the digital age, alternative metrics (altmetrics) have also become a valuable proxy. By analyzing trends associated with the altmetrics of scholarly outputs relating to TCIM, patterns of social engagement were identified to obtain a better understanding of the factors that drive social impact in this field online.
Methods
This study was conducted using Altmetric.com, whereby this database was searched by the subject area “Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine”. The subsequent data obtained was further analyzed to discern social trends within TCIM scholarly outputs at the article level.
Results
62,278 research outputs, from 1925 to 2024, with +497,000 online mentions were analyzed. Outputs from the Journal of Natural Products were mentioned the most frequently online (n = 5314, 10.56 %). The highest average Altmetric attention scores were associated with news outputs (M = 203.67), and outputs published under a bronze OA type (M = 17.54). The most mentions were contributed by X (n = 350,630, 70.41 %), Facebook (n = 57,540, 11.55 %), and news outlets (n = 39,941, 8.02 %).
Conclusions
Using the features found in this study to be linked with higher online attention, and sharing research through well-used online platforms, may help make TCIM research more visible to the public and more relevant to policy discussions.
传统、补充和综合医学（TCIM）的使用在全世界都很流行；截至2024年，已经有超过20万篇关于这一主题的研究论文发表。几十年来，传统的基于引用的指标一直是评估研究影响的假设标准，但在数字时代，替代指标（altmetrics）也已成为一种有价值的替代指标。通过分析与TCIM相关的学术产出替代指标相关的趋势，确定了社会参与模式，以便更好地了解在线推动该领域社会影响的因素。方法本研究使用Altmetric.com进行，该数据库按主题领域“传统、补充和综合医学”进行检索。随后获得的数据被进一步分析，以在文章水平上辨别TCIM学术产出的社会趋势。结果共收录1925 - 2024年62278篇论文，其中网络提及次数497000次。《自然产物杂志》（Journal of Natural Products）的产出在网上被提及的频率最高（n = 5314,10.56 %）。最高的Altmetric平均注意力得分与新闻产出（M = 203.67）和青铜OA类型下发表的产出（M = 17.54）相关。提到大多数是由X (70.41 n = 350630年 %),Facebook (11.55 n = 57540年 %),和新闻媒体(8.02 n = 39941年 %)。利用本研究中发现的特征与更高的在线关注相关联，并通过使用良好的在线平台分享研究，可能有助于使TCIM研究更容易被公众看到，并与政策讨论更相关。
{"title":"An altmetric analysis of the research literature about traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine","authors":"Jeremy Y. Ng , Alep Judge , Holger Cramer","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100506","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100506","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The use of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is known to be popular worldwide; there have been over 200,000 research articles published on this topic as of 2024. For decades, traditional citation-based metrics have been the assumed norm when assessing the impact of research, but in the digital age, alternative metrics (altmetrics) have also become a valuable proxy. By analyzing trends associated with the altmetrics of scholarly outputs relating to TCIM, patterns of social engagement were identified to obtain a better understanding of the factors that drive social impact in this field online.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study was conducted using Altmetric.com, whereby this database was searched by the subject area “Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine”. The subsequent data obtained was further analyzed to discern social trends within TCIM scholarly outputs at the article level.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>62,278 research outputs, from 1925 to 2024, with +497,000 online mentions were analyzed. Outputs from the Journal of Natural Products were mentioned the most frequently online (n = 5314, 10.56 %). The highest average Altmetric attention scores were associated with news outputs (M = 203.67), and outputs published under a bronze OA type (M = 17.54). The most mentions were contributed by X (n = 350,630, 70.41 %), Facebook (n = 57,540, 11.55 %), and news outlets (n = 39,941, 8.02 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Using the features found in this study to be linked with higher online attention, and sharing research through well-used online platforms, may help make TCIM research more visible to the public and more relevant to policy discussions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100506"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501064","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 : 2025-05-23DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100508
Fatma Keskin Töre , Cansu Ağralı , Gülçin Nacar , Özlem Özel Özcan
Objective
The aim of this study is to examine the effects of pregnant women’s mental visualization of their babies during the non-stress test on maternal anxiety and fetal parameters.
Methods
This randomized controlled clinical trial was completed with 64 pregnant women (32 experimental, 32 control). It was conducted in a public hospital located in eastern Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form, a non-stress test findings form, a baby picture evaluation form, and the State Anxiety Inventory.
Results
It was determined that during NST (Non-Stress Test), pregnant women’s visualization of their babies reduced the fetal heart rate (t = 2.083, p = 0.041) and fetal movements (t = 2.110, p = 0.039) while increasing the number of accelerations (t = 4.845, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the maternal anxiety levels in the experimental group and those in the control group (t = 1.184, p = 0.241). The maternal anxiety levels of the participants in the experimental increased in the posttest compared to the pretest (t = 3.371, p = 0.002).
Conclusion
It was determined that the pregnant woman’s mental visualization of her baby during the non-stress test reduced the fetal heart rate and fetal movements, increased the number of accelerations, and did not significantly affect maternal anxiety.
{"title":"The effects of the pregnant woman’s mental visualization of her baby during the non-stress test on maternal anxiety and fetal parameters: A randomized controlled clinical trial","authors":"Fatma Keskin Töre , Cansu Ağralı , Gülçin Nacar , Özlem Özel Özcan","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100508","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100508","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study is to examine the effects of pregnant women’s mental visualization of their babies during the non-stress test on maternal anxiety and fetal parameters.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This randomized controlled clinical trial was completed with 64 pregnant women (32 experimental, 32 control). It was conducted in a public hospital located in eastern Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form, a non-stress test findings form, a baby picture evaluation form, and the State Anxiety Inventory.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>It was determined that during NST (Non-Stress Test), pregnant women’s visualization of their babies reduced the fetal heart rate (t = 2.083, p = 0.041) and fetal movements (t = 2.110, p = 0.039) while increasing the number of accelerations (t = 4.845, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the maternal anxiety levels in the experimental group and those in the control group (t = 1.184, p = 0.241). The maternal anxiety levels of the participants in the experimental increased in the posttest compared to the pretest (t = 3.371, p = 0.002).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>It was determined that the pregnant woman’s mental visualization of her baby during the non-stress test reduced the fetal heart rate and fetal movements, increased the number of accelerations, and did not significantly affect maternal anxiety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100508"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501061","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 : 2025-05-21DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100505
Jun Wang , Xueyan Li , Wei Shi , Bingpei Shi , Xiaojuan Shi , Dandan Luo , Xiushu Shen , Chun Zhai , Lei Xu , Meirong Li , Nan Su , Rencai Deng , Huayu Huang , Jian Li , Yin Wang , Hong Yang
Introduction
Scalp acupuncture has been widely used as a treatment for motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Previous studies have not provided high-quality evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment in children with CP. To date, no high-quality randomized controlled trials on scalp acupuncture have been reported. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Jiao's scalp acupuncture for the treatment of motor dysfunction in children with spastic CP.
Methods
This was a randomized controlled trial. One hundred CP patients were randomly allocated to either the treatment or control group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation treatment, while the treatment group received both conventional rehabilitation treatment and Jiao’s scalp acupuncture. Thirty-six treatment sessions were conducted over a 12-week period. Outcomes were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 and the Fine Motor Function Measure (FMFM) at baseline, week 4, 8, 12 (post-treatment) and week 24 (follow-up).
Results
Both groups showed significant improvements in motor function (p < 0.01), as assessed by the GMFM-66 and the FMFM. Compared to the control, the treatment group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in both gross and fine motor function (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Acupuncture in the motor area of Jiao's scalp acupuncture significantly improved motor function in children with spastic CP. Scalp acupuncture treatment may serve as a beneficial adjunct to conventional rehabilitation for motor dysfunction in this population.
{"title":"Effects of scalp acupuncture treatment on motor dysfunction in children with spastic cerebral palsy: A multicenter randomized controlled trial","authors":"Jun Wang , Xueyan Li , Wei Shi , Bingpei Shi , Xiaojuan Shi , Dandan Luo , Xiushu Shen , Chun Zhai , Lei Xu , Meirong Li , Nan Su , Rencai Deng , Huayu Huang , Jian Li , Yin Wang , Hong Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100505","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100505","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Scalp acupuncture has been widely used as a treatment for motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Previous studies have not provided high-quality evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment in children with CP. To date, no high-quality randomized controlled trials on scalp acupuncture have been reported. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Jiao's scalp acupuncture for the treatment of motor dysfunction in children with spastic CP.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a randomized controlled trial. One hundred CP patients were randomly allocated to either the treatment or control group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation treatment, while the treatment group received both conventional rehabilitation treatment and Jiao’s scalp acupuncture. Thirty-six treatment sessions were conducted over a 12-week period. Outcomes were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 and the Fine Motor Function Measure (FMFM) at baseline, week 4, 8, 12 (post-treatment) and week 24 (follow-up).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both groups showed significant improvements in motor function (p < 0.01), as assessed by the GMFM-66 and the FMFM. Compared to the control, the treatment group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in both gross and fine motor function (p < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Acupuncture in the motor area of Jiao's scalp acupuncture significantly improved motor function in children with spastic CP. Scalp acupuncture treatment may serve as a beneficial adjunct to conventional rehabilitation for motor dysfunction in this population.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03921281.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100505"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501063","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 : 2025-05-20DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100507
Emad M. Abdallah
{"title":"Aromatherapy as an antimicrobial intervention: Anecdotal promise or evidence-based therapy? A call for rigorous scientific evaluation","authors":"Emad M. Abdallah","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100507","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100507"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144516979","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 : 2025-05-16DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100500
S. Abinaya , A. Vijay , L. Nivethitha , A. Mooventhan , N. Manavalan
Background
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary physiological processes including blood pressure. Hydrotherapy uses water to treat various conditions and research on effect of different hydrotherapy modalities at varying temperatures on the heart rate variability (HRV) is increasing for the past few years. However, there is no systematic review of on it. Hence, this systematic review was performed to provide evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on HRV.
Materials and methods
We have searched PubMed/Medline and google scholar electronic databases to find relevant articles using following keywords: hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, cryotherapy, sauna bath, immersion bath, foot bath, spinal bath, hip bath, arm and foot bath, ice massage and heart rate variability. Out of 121 articles found, 24 potentially eligible articles were reported in this review.
Results
In this systematic review 24 articles (including 6 RCTs) with 961 participants with various condition, underwent various hydrotherapy modalities with different temperatures were reported. The finding showed that majority of the hydrotherapy modalities produces improvements in parasympathetic activity and regulation of autonomic nervous system. However, only one study showed increased sympathetic activity during the session and transitioned into parasympathetic activity after 15–120 min of session.
Conclusion
Literature suggests that hydrotherapy is effective in reducing blood pressure and improving HRV as an adjuvant in healthy volunteers, sportspeople, and in patients with hypertension, heart failure, migraines, allergic rhinitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, the quality of the studies included in this review low. Hence, we recommend high quality long-term RCTs to determine the efficacy and safety of hydrotherapy.
{"title":"Effects of various hydrotherapeutic procedures on heart rate variability and blood pressure: A systematic review","authors":"S. Abinaya , A. Vijay , L. Nivethitha , A. Mooventhan , N. Manavalan","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100500","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100500","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary physiological processes including blood pressure. Hydrotherapy uses water to treat various conditions and research on effect of different hydrotherapy modalities at varying temperatures on the heart rate variability (HRV) is increasing for the past few years. However, there is no systematic review of on it. Hence, this systematic review was performed to provide evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on HRV.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>We have searched PubMed/Medline and google scholar electronic databases to find relevant articles using following keywords: hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, cryotherapy, sauna bath, immersion bath, foot bath, spinal bath, hip bath, arm and foot bath, ice massage and heart rate variability. Out of 121 articles found, 24 potentially eligible articles were reported in this review.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In this systematic review 24 articles (including 6 RCTs) with 961 participants with various condition, underwent various hydrotherapy modalities with different temperatures were reported. The finding showed that majority of the hydrotherapy modalities produces improvements in parasympathetic activity and regulation of autonomic nervous system. However, only one study showed increased sympathetic activity during the session and transitioned into parasympathetic activity after 15–120 min of session.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Literature suggests that hydrotherapy is effective in reducing blood pressure and improving HRV as an adjuvant in healthy volunteers, sportspeople, and in patients with hypertension, heart failure, migraines, allergic rhinitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, the quality of the studies included in this review low. Hence, we recommend high quality long-term RCTs to determine the efficacy and safety of hydrotherapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 3","pages":"Article 100500"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144471465","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}
Low molecular weight heparin is a drug with anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects. This drug is frequently administered subcutaneously to patients by nurses. Complications such as pain, ecchymosis and hematoma may commonly occur at the injection site. This study investigated the effect of Hypericum perforatum oil in preventing pain and ecchymosis after subcutaneous injection low molecular weight heparin.
Methods
This quasi-experimental and single blinded study was conducted with 160 patients in a coronary intensive care unit. The researcher nurse applied 5–6 drops of Hypericum perforatum oil to one arm of the patients 2 h before the injection. The other arm of the patient was considered as the control arm. A total of 320 injections were administered. The evaluation of the injection sites was performed by two other researchers at 48th hours. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon and McNemar test.
Results
In the arm which was applied Hypericum perforatum oil the mean pain score was 0.08 ± 0.55 and the mean ecchymosis size was 2.49 ± 10.32 mm. In the control arm, the mean pain score was 1.28 ± 1.97 and the mean ecchymosis size was 13.29 ± 18.99 mm according to the measurements made at 48th h after injection. The difference between the measurements in both arms was statistically significant (p = .000).
Conclusions
It showed that Hypericum perforatum oil is effective in preventing pain and ecchymosis after low molecular weight heparin injection. However, the research needs to be repeated.
{"title":"Effect of Hypericum perforatum oil on prevention ecchymosis and pain associated with subcutaneous heparin injection: A self-controlled single-blind study","authors":"Hatice Demi̇rdağ , Nurcan Uysal , Fatma Zehra Kamber","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100504","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100504","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Low molecular weight heparin is a drug with anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects. This drug is frequently administered subcutaneously to patients by nurses. Complications such as pain, ecchymosis and hematoma may commonly occur at the injection site. This study investigated the effect of Hypericum perforatum oil in preventing pain and ecchymosis after subcutaneous injection low molecular weight heparin.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This quasi-experimental and single blinded study was conducted with 160 patients in a coronary intensive care unit. The researcher nurse applied 5–6 drops of Hypericum perforatum oil to one arm of the patients 2 h before the injection. The other arm of the patient was considered as the control arm. A total of 320 injections were administered. The evaluation of the injection sites was performed by two other researchers at 48th hours. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon and McNemar test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the arm which was applied Hypericum perforatum oil the mean pain score was 0.08 ± 0.55 and the mean ecchymosis size was 2.49 ± 10.32 mm. In the control arm, the mean pain score was 1.28 ± 1.97 and the mean ecchymosis size was 13.29 ± 18.99 mm according to the measurements made at 48th h after injection. The difference between the measurements in both arms was statistically significant (p = .000).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>It showed that Hypericum perforatum oil is effective in preventing pain and ecchymosis after low molecular weight heparin injection. However, the research needs to be repeated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100504"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501062","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 : 2025-05-14DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100502
Govindarajan Sankaran , Anil Khurana , Leena Shah , Kishor Khillare , Debadatta Nayak , Navin Pawaskar
Background
COVID-19 challenged medical fraternity with high transmission rates, lack of prior sensitization of the immune system, high mortality, and emotional stress due to fear of death and social isolation.
Objective
The objective of this trial was to test the effectiveness of individualized homoeopathic treatment as an adjuvant to modern medicine.
Design
setting, participants, and interventions
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Two hundred and sixty-nine participants who tested positive for COVID-19 infection (N Gene, ORF 1-ab-Gene, and the S Gene of the SARS COV-2 virus) were randomized into two parallel groups. A total of 133 participants (49 %) were randomized to the homeopathic group. The remaining 136 (51 %) patients in the control group received a placebo intervention in addition to standard care of modern medicine.
Main outcome measures
The endpoints of the trial were measuring the impact on patient symptoms, mortality rate, need for mechanical ventilation, inflammatory markers, and length of hospital stay. Statistical analysis was performed using a multivariate random effects model for symptoms and inflammatory markers. Logistic regression models were used to assess clinical outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) requirement, ventilator support, and deaths.
Results
Of the 269 participants, 133 (49 %) were in the homoeopathic group and 136 (51 %) were in the control group. There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics, comorbidities, or allopathic treatment administered within the groups at baseline. The median scores for shortness of breath, cough, weakness, and fatigue significantly reduced on days five and ten. There were no significant differences in the median values of inflammatory markers. The ICU requirement (p = 0.01), ventilator requirement (p = 0.01), and mortality (p = 0.003) were significantly lower in the homoeopathic group.
Conclusion
Homoeopathy as an adjuvant to standard care in the management of COVID-19 resulted in lowering of clinical symptoms, and a significantly lower ICU requirement, requirement of ventilation, and mortality rate compared to standard care alone.
{"title":"A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial using Homoeopathy as an adjuvant to standard care in the management of COVID-19","authors":"Govindarajan Sankaran , Anil Khurana , Leena Shah , Kishor Khillare , Debadatta Nayak , Navin Pawaskar","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100502","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100502","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>COVID-19 challenged medical fraternity with high transmission rates, lack of prior sensitization of the immune system, high mortality, and emotional stress due to fear of death and social isolation.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objective of this trial was to test the effectiveness of individualized homoeopathic treatment as an adjuvant to modern medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>setting, participants, and interventions</div><div>This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Two hundred and sixty-nine participants who tested positive for COVID-19 infection (N Gene, ORF 1-ab-Gene, and the S Gene of the SARS COV-2 virus) were randomized into two parallel groups. A total of 133 participants (49 %) were randomized to the homeopathic group. The remaining 136 (51 %) patients in the control group received a placebo intervention in addition to standard care of modern medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>The endpoints of the trial were measuring the impact on patient symptoms, mortality rate, need for mechanical ventilation, inflammatory markers, and length of hospital stay. Statistical analysis was performed using a multivariate random effects model for symptoms and inflammatory markers. Logistic regression models were used to assess clinical outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) requirement, ventilator support, and deaths.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 269 participants, 133 (49 %) were in the homoeopathic group and 136 (51 %) were in the control group. There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics, comorbidities, or allopathic treatment administered within the groups at baseline. The median scores for shortness of breath, cough, weakness, and fatigue significantly reduced on days five and ten. There were no significant differences in the median values of inflammatory markers. The ICU requirement (p = 0.01), ventilator requirement (p = 0.01), and mortality (p = 0.003) were significantly lower in the homoeopathic group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Homoeopathy as an adjuvant to standard care in the management of COVID-19 resulted in lowering of clinical symptoms, and a significantly lower ICU requirement, requirement of ventilation, and mortality rate compared to standard care alone.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 3","pages":"Article 100502"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144491944","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 : 2025-05-11DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100503
Narges Tajik , Syed Mohd Abbas Zaidi , Seyedeh Mahnaz Karimi
Introduction
Looking at the medical texts of the past, the fight against aging has been discussed since the beginning of history. Hakim Shafai was one of the Iranian physicians of the Safavid period who claimed to have found the medicine for longevity. The purpose of this study is to introduce and review the Hakim Shafai anti-aging prescription mentioned in his Pharmacopoeia. We also review the evidence for the use of these herbs as potential anti-aging agents.
Methods
The present library-documentary research relied on the parts of the book, Shifai’s Pharmacopoeia, as the primary information source, along with other traditional Persian and Unani medicine text. All relevant databases of these plants were also searched for the terms “anti-aging”, “longevity”, “stress oxidative” and “D-galactose”, “Caenorhabditis elegans”, “Drosophila melanogaster” up to 30th January 2024.
Results
Hakim's longevity prescription consist of some medicinal herbs including: Myristica fragrans, Syzygium aromaticum, Elettaria cardamomum, Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum tamala, Piper nigrum, Piper longum, Zingiber officinale, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, Trachyspermum ammi, Carum carvi and Nigella sativa. Included studies showed significant improvement in brain function (memory, cognition and anxiety), skin wrinkle and sexual disorders via targeting different pathways including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and hormonal regulation.
Conclusions
Medicinal herbs derived from this ancient prescription seem to have beneficial anti-aging effects by affecting various targets. Considering the safe and long-term history of using medicinal plants, it can be a promising option to prevent aging. However, more rigorous research is needed in the future to successfully validate these experience-based traditional herbal formulas.
{"title":"Anti-aging herbal prescriptions in Hakim Shafai’s Pharmacopoeia: A review of evidence","authors":"Narges Tajik , Syed Mohd Abbas Zaidi , Seyedeh Mahnaz Karimi","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100503","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100503","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Looking at the medical texts of the past, the fight against aging has been discussed since the beginning of history. Hakim Shafai was one of the Iranian physicians of the Safavid period who claimed to have found the medicine for longevity. The purpose of this study is to introduce and review the Hakim Shafai anti-aging prescription mentioned in his Pharmacopoeia. We also review the evidence for the use of these herbs as potential anti-aging agents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The present library-documentary research relied on the parts of the book, Shifai’s Pharmacopoeia, as the primary information source, along with other traditional Persian and Unani medicine text. All relevant databases of these plants were also searched for the terms “anti-aging”, “longevity”, “stress oxidative” and “D-galactose”, “<em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em>”, “<em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>” up to 30th January 2024.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Hakim's longevity prescription consist of some medicinal herbs including: <em>Myristica fragrans, Syzygium aromaticum, Elettaria cardamomum, Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum tamala, Piper nigrum, Piper longum, Zingiber officinale, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, Trachyspermum ammi, Carum carvi and Nigella sativa</em>. Included studies showed significant improvement in brain function (memory, cognition and anxiety), skin wrinkle and sexual disorders via targeting different pathways including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and hormonal regulation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Medicinal herbs derived from this ancient prescription seem to have beneficial anti-aging effects by affecting various targets. Considering the safe and long-term history of using medicinal plants, it can be a promising option to prevent aging. However, more rigorous research is needed in the future to successfully validate these experience-based traditional herbal formulas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100503"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501058","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 : 2025-05-05DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100501
G. Sathiyavathi , S. Venkatalakshmi , L. Nivethitha , A. Mooventhan , N. Manavalan
Background
Impaired pulmonary function is an indicator of cardiopulmonary and all-cause mortality. Hydrotherapy is employed to manage various respiratory diseases through its potential mechanisms (i.e., temperature-induced vasodilation, bronchodilation, and muscle relaxation). There is a paucity of systematic reviews examining its impact on pulmonary function and the existence of various clinical trials exhibiting the potential role of hydrotherapy in improving respiratory health, which demands to explore the effectiveness of hydrotherapy on pulmonary function. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of various hydrotherapeutic modalities (i.e., balneotherapy, aquatic exercise, baths, and packs) on pulmonary function along with its mechanistic pathways.
Methods
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were used for this review. An extensive literature search was conducted across the PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Library databases from their inception until August 2023, using keywords related to hydrotherapy and pulmonary function. This search identified 439 articles. Upon screening, 10 studies were finalized that met the eligibility criteria including experimental studies such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), crossover or self-as-control trials, single group pre-post trials reporting the hydrotherapy’s effect on pulmonary function test, excluding observational studies, case reports, case series, review articles, surveys, and health news.
Results
This review included 10 studies (3 RCTs, 1 randomized cross-over trial, 1 non-RCT, 1 quasi-experimental study, 3 single group pre and post-test, and, 1 cross-sectional study) with 394 participants and assessed the effects of various hydrotherapy (hot chest pack, steam bath, immersion bath, balneotherapy, aquatic therapy) on pulmonary function. Results imply that the application of water at different temperatures has beneficial effects in improving various spirometric outcomes (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR) in healthy individuals, COPD, scoliosis, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Conclusion
This systematic review suggests that hydrotherapy has potential benefits in improving pulmonary function either as a solitary or adjuvant therapy in healthy individuals and patients with COPD, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorders, scoliosis, and musculoskeletal disorders. However, the lack of RCTs, small sample size, and the heterogeneity in the included participants and interventions are limiting the scope of this review. Future studies can aim at conducting long-term RCTs with a larger sample size and standardized interventions.
{"title":"Evidence-based effects of various hydrotherapy on pulmonary function: A systematic review","authors":"G. Sathiyavathi , S. Venkatalakshmi , L. Nivethitha , A. Mooventhan , N. Manavalan","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100501","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100501","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Impaired pulmonary function is an indicator of cardiopulmonary and all-cause mortality. Hydrotherapy is employed to manage various respiratory diseases through its potential mechanisms (i.e., temperature-induced vasodilation, bronchodilation, and muscle relaxation). There is a paucity of systematic reviews examining its impact on pulmonary function and the existence of various clinical trials exhibiting the potential role of hydrotherapy in improving respiratory health, which demands to explore the effectiveness of hydrotherapy on pulmonary function. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of various hydrotherapeutic modalities (i.e., balneotherapy, aquatic exercise, baths, and packs) on pulmonary function along with its mechanistic pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were used for this review. An extensive literature search was conducted across the PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Library databases from their inception until August 2023, using keywords related to hydrotherapy and pulmonary function. This search identified 439 articles. Upon screening, 10 studies were finalized that met the eligibility criteria including experimental studies such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), crossover or self-as-control trials, single group pre-post trials reporting the hydrotherapy’s effect on pulmonary function test, excluding observational studies, case reports, case series, review articles, surveys, and health news.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This review included 10 studies (3 RCTs, 1 randomized cross-over trial, 1 non-RCT, 1 quasi-experimental study, 3 single group pre and post-test, and, 1 cross-sectional study) with 394 participants and assessed the effects of various hydrotherapy (hot chest pack, steam bath, immersion bath, balneotherapy, aquatic therapy) on pulmonary function. Results imply that the application of water at different temperatures has beneficial effects in improving various spirometric outcomes (FEV<sub>1</sub>, FVC, FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC, PEFR) in healthy individuals, COPD, scoliosis, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This systematic review suggests that hydrotherapy has potential benefits in improving pulmonary function either as a solitary or adjuvant therapy in healthy individuals and patients with COPD, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorders, scoliosis, and musculoskeletal disorders. However, the lack of RCTs, small sample size, and the heterogeneity in the included participants and interventions are limiting the scope of this review. Future studies can aim at conducting long-term RCTs with a larger sample size and standardized interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 3","pages":"Article 100501"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144471466","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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