Alternative therapies in health and medicine最新文献

Background: Cognitive inhibition refers to the active suppression of irrelevant cognitive information or processes in working memory, enhancing task performance by maintaining focus on the relevant task at hand. It is a fundamental cognitive function that is crucial for efficient cognitive processing and memory retention. Combination yoga practices are known to shorten cognitive inhibition and improve memory. Pranchakra meditation (PCM) is a new protocol, and this study aims to explore its immediate effect on cognitive inhibition under the Stop Signal Test (SST) paradigm.

Objective: The pilot study examines the immediate effect of PCM on inhibitory control using the widely accepted Stop Signal Test (SST) paradigm for furthering research.

Method: In a self-as-control study design, eight healthy Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yoga (BNYS) students aged between 19 and 30 years (22.38 ± 3.4 years) were recruited from a medical university in Uttarakhand, India. They received training in PCM. Pre- and post-data in the SST paradigm were collected using the INQUISIT software. Stop‑signal reaction time (SSRT), mean Go trial reaction time (GoRT), and the probability of responding to stop-signal trials [p (r/s)] were analyzed at a significance level of .05.

Result: A significant difference was observed between pre- and post-SSRT results.

Conclusion: In this pilot study, PCM effectively reduced the SSRT time. Therefore, further studies with a larger sample size are recommended for generalization.

Keywords: Pranchakra meditation, cognitive inhibition, SSRT, yoga, BNYS.

Background: Chronic non-healing ulcers (CNUs), particularly those complicated by neuropathy and multi-morbidity, represent a profound therapeutic challenge with limited effective interventions. This case study investigates the novel application of topical anhydrous aluminum potassium sulfate (AAPS), a traditional astringent agent, for a refractory postsurgical ulcer with concomitant saphenous neuropathy.

Case presentation: A 65-year-old male with poorly-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, schizophrenia, and severe alcohol use disorder, presented with a three-year-old, post-surgical CNU inferior to the right medial malleolus. The ulcer had failed multiple courses of targeted intravenous and oral antibiotics and was not amenable to a planned skin graft due to psychosocial constraints. Clinical and neurophysiological examination confirmed severe sensory mononeuropathy of the right saphenous nerve with Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS) score of 9/12.

Therapeutic intervention and outcome: After exhaustive conventional therapy failed, a protocol of once-daily topical AAPS dusting powder was initiated alongside phased mechanical debridement. The intervention resulted in complete ulcer closure within 60 days, with a 57% reduction in surface area observed by day 30. Critically, the patient reported the return of protective sensation (pain) at day 30, and the UENS score improved significantly to 3/12 post-treatment, indicating neurological recovery. No recurrence was noted during a six-month surveillance period.

Conclusion: This first-reported case demonstrates AAPS dusting as a highly effective intervention for complex CNUs, achieving both tissue repair and neurological recovery. The clinical outcomes align with recent evidence of AAPS-mediated ERK pathway inhibition, suggesting a potential molecular mechanism for its therapeutic action in chronic wounds. These dramatic results warrant controlled trials to validate efficacy and the mechanistic pathways.

Keywords: anhydrous aluminum potassium sulfate, chronic non-healing ulcer, ERK pathway, nerve regeneration, wound healing.

Introduction: Dermatophytosis, particularly tinea corporis and tinea cruris, is a frequent superficial fungal infection, especially in tropical and humid regions. Conventional antifungal treatments, including topical or oral antifungals, may cause side effects, especially with long-term use. Increasing cases of recurrent dermatophytosis and antifungal resistance have prompted the exploration of alternative, safer treatment options.

Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) for the treatment of tinea corporis and cruris.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted at four Homeopathy Outpatient Departments from August 2021 to March 2024. Patients with clinically diagnosed tinea corporis or cruris, confirmed by positive potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount test, were included. IHMs were prescribed based on symptom totality and repertorization. The primary outcome was assessed using a Clinical Cure Scale, which evaluates lesion's resolution, itching, and infection clearance. Mycological assessment was conducted to detect the presence or absence of fungus. The Skindex-16 questionnaire measured the impact of skin disease on quality of life (QoL). Assessments were performed at baseline and monthly, until resolution or for up to six months.

Results: A total of 147 patients (mean age of 38.92±12.09 years) were analyzed. Tinea corporis was most prevalent (47%), followed by mixed tinea corporis and cruris (30%) and tinea cruris (23%). After six months, statistically significant improvements were observed in Clinical Cure Scale scores (7.01±1.73 to 2.90±2.66, P < .001) and Skindex-16 scores (from 56.04±25.34 to 27.03±28.99, P < .001). 93 patients (63.3%) tested KOH-negative at the end of treatment. Commonly prescribed medicines included Sulphur (35%), Natrum muriaticum (24%), Sepia (13%), Arsenicum album (11%), Lycopodium clavatum (4%), and Graphites (3%).

Conclusion: The findings support the effectiveness of IHMs in managing dermatophytosis. Rigorous clinical and QoL assessments confirm therapeutic benefits. Future randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up are recommended to validate these results and assess recurrence.

Keywords: tinea corporis, tinea cruris, KOH mount, Skindex-16, homeopathy.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common lung cancer that has shown resistance to multiple treatments. This article aims to screen out reliable core genes and explore their underlying mechanisms in limited-stage NSCLC.

Material and methods: Three datasets (GSE19188, GSE27262, and GSE33532) were selected from the gene expression omnibus (GEO). Venn diagram software, omicshare tools, and gene ontology (GO) were used to screen identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and potential pathways. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was drawn using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STING), and Cytoscape was applied for module analysis. Prognostic information in NSCLC clinical samples was also reconfirmed by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and the Kaplan Meier-plotter program. The filtered core genes were analyzed through the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment.

Results: 235 common DEGs (Differentially Expressed Genes) were obtained. 32 genes were screened out through the PPI network and MCODE. 9 core genes (CCNB1, CCNB2, MAD2L1, BUB1, TTK, CDC20, AURKA, RRM2, GTSE1) were obtained through the KEGG pathway enrichment, which mainly enriched in 4 pathways, namely, Cell cycle, Oocyte meiosis, p53 signaling pathway, and Progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, respectively.

Conclusion: Nine critical dependable DEGs were identified in limited-stage NSCLC using integrated bioinformatical approaches, and these core genes show great potential as prospective biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the progression of limited-stage NSCLC.

Keywords: non-small cell lung cancer, biomarkers, therapeutic targets, p53 signaling pathway, bioinformatics analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the application effect of a multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment model in the perioperative period of elderly hip fractures.

Methods: The extraction period was from January 2021 to December 2022, and the clinical data of 120 elderly patients with hip fractures admitted to our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The control group (n=60) adopted the conventional diagnosis and treatment mode, while the experimental group (n=60) adopted the multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment mode. The relevant data of the two groups were included in the statistical software, and the differences between the groups were calculated, including the operation time, complications, total effective rate, satisfaction, SASE scores , and HHS scores.

Results: (1) The operation time: the time from admission to operation, fracture healing, postoperative leaving bed, pain relief, and length of stay in the experimental group were significantly shorter than those in the control group, with P < .05; (2) The incidence of complications: the experimental group was 6.67%, and the control group was 20.00%, with P < .05; (3) Total effective rate: it was 95.00% in the experimental group, 78.33% in the control group, with P < .05; (4) Satisfaction with treatment: it was 96.67% in the experimental group, 81.67% in the control group, with P < .05; (5) SASE scores: After operation, there was no significant difference in the scores of the two groups, with P > .05. After 3 months of intervention, the scores of each dimension in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, with P < .05; ( 6 ) HHS scores: After operation, there was no significant difference in the scores of the two groups, with P > .05. After 3 months of intervention, the scores of each dimension in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, with P < .05.

Conclusion: For elderly patients with hip fractures, in the construction of perioperative green channel, the multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment model can be integrated to ensure better diagnosis and treatment effects, improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment, reduce complications, and shorten the operation time after admission, which can also improve the function of the hip joint and promote the early recovery of the body after surgery.

Keywords: patient care team, hip fracture, perioperative period.

Background: In the early-subacute postpartum period, low-back pain is common due to frequent breastfeeding, suboptimal feeding postures, and increasing infant-carrying load, yet it often receives limited clinical attention.

Objective: To examine whether acupressure at postpartum weeks 1 and 4 reduces low-back pain after cesarean delivery.

Design: Prospective, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Participant/provider blinding was not feasible for a manual intervention; data analysis was blinded.

Participants: Post-cesarean women (n=70) attending routine visits at a family health center in northwest Türkiye were randomized 1:1 to acupressure (n=35) or control (n=35).

Intervention: A 10-minute standardized protocol per visit: LI4, HT2, LI11, and ST36 applied bilaterally in sequence (1 minute per side), and GB21 and UB43 applied bilaterally and simultaneously (1 minute per pair). Controls received usual care.

Primary outcome measures: Visual analog scale (VAS) low-back pain at each visit (pre/post within the acupressure arm; a single, visit-matched assessment in controls). Nonparametric analyses were prespecified.

Results: Immediately following the intervention, back pain in the acupressure group was less compared to the control group in the first and fourth weeks postpartum (P < .001). Across the postpartum window, the pattern was clear: in the control group, pre-session VAS increased from week 1 to week 4 (P < .001), reflecting the common trend of worsening back pain over time. In the acupressure group, VAS decreased immediately from pre- to post-session at both visits (P < .001 at week 1 and week 4), indicating consistent, session-linked relief.

Conclusion: A brief, standardized acupressure protocol delivered during routine postpartum care provides immediate relief to low-back pain after cesarean and appears feasible as a nonpharmacologic adjunct to usual care. Key limitations include the absence of a sham control, short follow-up without durability assessment, and no measurement of analgesic use; future trials should address these gaps.

Keywords: acupressure, back pain, cesarean section, postpartum period, women.

Background: Digital media has transformed health communication, with TikTok emerging as a key platform for disseminating herbalism-related content. Reliance on such content, particularly among young adults, necessitates a critical examination of the presentation and engagement of such information online.

Primary study objective: This study investigates the representation of herbal wellness on TikTok, examining the relationship between content typologies, influencer credibility, user engagement metrics, and their implications for public health communication.

Methods/design: A cross-sectional, descriptive analysis was conducted using the first 120 videos under the #herbalism hashtag, captured on January 30, 2025. Two independent reviewers employed a coding scheme adapted from established methodologies to classify content into themes (e.g., personal experiences, spiritual health, and educational). Statistical analyses, including Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman's correlation, were performed to evaluate differences and associations in engagement metrics.

Setting: The study was performed on TikTok, a social media platform characterized by short-form videos and use among young adults.

Sample: 120 videos were analyzed. Although detailed demographic data of viewers was unavailable, the content primarily targeted a young adult audience.

Intervention: This observational study involved no direct intervention; instead, it systematically categorized and analyzed naturally occurring digital content.

Primary outcome measures: Engagement was quantified using metrics such as likes, comments, views, saves, and shares. These were correlated with specific content themes and influencer attributes.

Results and discussion: Videos referencing spiritual health exhibited higher engagement across multiple metrics, while those featuring personal experiences witnessed lower user interaction. The correlation analyses corroborated these trends, highlighting the influential role of thematic content in shaping audience responses.

Conclusion: Findings underscore the dominance of influencer-driven, spiritually resonant herbalism content on TikTok, and raise concerns about frequent uncredentialed expert input. These insights suggest opportunities for integrating evidence-based messaging into digital health communications to mitigate misinformation and enhance public engagement.

Keywords: herbalism, TikTok, content analysis, social media, digital health communication, public health.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects memory, cognition, and behavior, often leading to severe functional decline. A 55-year-old male patient came with complaints of confusion in daily activities, forgetting names, misplacing objects, frequent episodes of crying, and loss of communication skills for the past 1 year. He was clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. The patient was treated with an Ayurvedic treatment protocol, involving internal administration of Brahmi ghrit, Saraswatarishta with gold, Ashwagandha powder, and Rasona Ksheerpaka, along with Panchakarma therapies including Nasya with Panchendriya taila, Shirobasti, and Abhyanga with Balashwagandha taila. After the treatment, the patient showed marked improvements in memory retention, orientation, and mood stability. This case showed that Ayurvedic interventions aid in slowing cognitive decline and improving daily functioning in Alzheimer's patients, highlighting the need for integrative and individualized treatment approaches in neurodegenerative disorders.

Keywords: neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Ayurvedic medicines, Brahmi ghrit, case report.

Background: Yoga-based interventions (YBI) are recognized for their therapeutic benefits, but individual belief in yoga's efficacy may influence outcomes.

Objective: To explore the relationship between belief in YBI and subjective satisfaction in participants undergoing a structured yoga program.

Methods: A total of 41 glaucoma patients recruited from the Glaucoma Clinic of RPC Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi, aged 18 to 70 years, were divided into two groups: control group A and intervention group B using the "blind envelope technique". Group A received standard care, while Group B received YBI in addition to standard care. The intervention lasted for four weeks, after which participants completed a feedback form assessing belief in yoga, satisfaction, overall experience, and willingness to continue visiting the site for yoga practice.

Results: A strong belief in YBI correlated with higher satisfaction scores, indicating that belief significantly enhances perceived benefits. No significant association was found between belief and overall experience or willingness to revisit.

Conclusion: Belief in YBI enhances satisfaction, but other factors, such as environment and quality of care, are crucial for the overall experience.

Keywords: belief in yoga, satisfaction, overall experience, likelihood to revisit, efficacy of yoga holistic approach.

Background: Chronic, non-healing ulcers, referred to as dushtavrana in Ayurveda present a challenge in medical care since ancient times. Ayurvedic literature, notably Acharya Susrutha Chikithsa Sthana, dedicated a chapter to the treatment of dushtavrana, encompassing sixty procedures (shashti upakramas). Chronic ulcers, influenced by diverse factors, resist a singular therapeutic approach. The inflammatory stage is critical, and disruptions in the order of stages of healing can lead to chronicity. Despite conventional treatments, many ulcers remain resistant, causing physical, financial, and emotional distress to patients. In the context of wound healing in Ayurveda, Jalaukavcharan or leech application emerges as a unique and effective method, especially in challenging cases involving elderly or frail individuals. In addition, Panchvalkal ointment is also an evidence based ayurvedic formulation, showing notable results in wound healing.

Case study: This case study involves a 78 years old male patient having a chronic non-healing ulcer with maggots on the planter surface of foot since last 3 years with foul smell, pain, and difficulty in walking.

Objective: The integration of leech therapy and Panchvalkal ointment as a holistic and potentially transformative approach to address the complexities of chronic non-healing wound.

Material and method: Leech therapy once a day for 7 days and dressing with Panchvalkal ointment twice a day for 3 months over wound site after wound debridement. Antibiotic and analgesics were given for 7 seven days to prevent infection and pain management.

Result: Wound healing was achieved, along with improved physical and emotional status of patient. Result was assessed using Bates-Jensen wound assessment tool with initial score of 49 which reduced to 14 after 90 days of treatment.

Conclusion: Leech therapy and Panchvalkal ointment offers a promising, holistic solution for chronic non-healing wounds. However, further research is warranted to validate its efficacy.

Keywords: chronic non-healing ulcer, leech therapy, panchvalkal ointment, wound debridement, integrative medicine, case report.