Alternative therapies in health and medicine最新文献

Background: There is a lack of studies investigating the effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on chronic low back pain, and the level of evidence is low.

Objective: This study aimed to examine and compare the time-dependent effects of two different instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization protocols in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Methods: This was a comparative study.

Setting: University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation department in Cyprus.

Participants: Seventy-four patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were randomized into two groups (Group 1 (n = 37) and Group 2 (n = 37)).

Intervention: 6 sessions were implemented with the participants, twice weekly for 3 weeks. The same instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization protocol (7-step) was applied to both groups, but in different positions (fixed prone vs. extended child pose and knee flexion-extension).

Outcome measures: Pain levels (visual analogue scale), spinal mobility (Modified Schober Test), flexibility (Sit and Reach Test, Maximal Hip Flexion Active Knee Extension Test, Active Knee Extension Test, Thoracolumbar Fascia Flexibility Test), muscle endurance of trunk extensors (The Biering-Sorenson Test), and disability (Oswestry Disability Index) were assessed.

Results: The pain and disability values of both groups decreased, and their spinal mobility, spinal flexibility, hamstring flexibility, thoracolumbar fascia flexibility, and endurance values increased after the 1st and 6th interventions (P < .05). Intra-group comparisons revealed a significant improvement only in pain levels at rest in the group in which instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization was applied during functional exercises (P < .05).

Conclusion: Both instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization methods instantly reduced levels of pain and disability and improved spinal mobility, flexibility, and trunk extensor endurance. Applying instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization with functional exercises to individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain is more effective in reducing pain levels at rest.

Keywords: Low back pain, fascia, spine, soft tissue therapy, comparative study.

Background: Unāni Medicine, a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), has been part of the healthcare system since antiquity and adopts a gentle and holistic approach to treating diseases. In Unāni Medicine, 'Irq al-Nasā (sciatica) falls under Waja'al-Mafāsil (arthritis), where the pain originates in the hip joint and radiates to the back of the thigh and occasionally to the knee, ankle, and toes.

Objective: This study aims to explore the interpretation of sciatica in Unāni classical literature, with a focus on its management.

Methodology: This study employed a comprehensive review approach, analysing Unāni classical texts to gather data on sciatica. Additionally, electronic databases, namely PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were explored for data collection.

Results: The findings of the literature search revealed that four different treatment modalities are detailed in the traditional textbook of Unāni medicine, namely, 'Ilāj bi'l Tadbīr (Regimenal therapy), 'Ilāj bi'l Taghdhiya (Dietotherapy), 'Ilāj bi'l Dawā' (Pharmacotherapy), and 'Ilāj bi'l Yad (Surgery). Sciatica is commonly caused by derangement in the quality and quantity of Akhlāt (humours). Unāni physicians recommend specific diets, regimenal therapies, and medications based on the patient's temperament, humour causing the ailment, the faculty of the implicated organ, and the severity of the condition to promote health, prevent illness, and treat existing conditions.

Conclusion: The review of literature indicates that ancient Unāni physicians had a thorough understanding of sciatica, including its history, risk factors, etiopathogenesis, and management. Further research is required to enhance the therapeutic approaches for sciatica across traditional medical domains.

Keywords: Unāni Medicine; 'Irq al-Nasā; Sciatica; 'Ilāj bi'l Tadbīr; Waja 'al-Mafāsil.

Background: Hot foot bath (HFB), a simple non-pharmacological intervention and a readily available hydrotherapy application, is often recommended in Naturopathy system of Medicine to improve sleep.

Primary study objectives: The current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to update and provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of HFB on sleep quality.

Method: Electronic databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched from inception until May 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of HFB as an intervention to improve sleep quality.

Intervention: Application of a hot foot bath (defined as immersion of both feet in water of temperature ≥40°C).

Primary outcome measures: The primary outcome measures include sleep onset latency (SOL), total sleep time (TST), wake after sleep onset latency (WASOL), and sleep efficiency (SE), measured objectively using polysomnography (PSG).

Results: Following appraisal for risk of bias, extracted data were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model for the sleep outcome parameters. The comprehensive literature search yielded six studies of low methodological quality, with 176 patients. The findings reveal that although HFB may improve sleep quality, the results were statistically insignificant. Subgroup analysis was performed with temperature, duration of HFB, and interval of time between HFB and bedtime (more than 1 hour vs less than 1 hour); however, the parameters showed no significant effects of HFB.

Conclusion: HFB may be a safe and cost-effective modality to enhance sleep quality. However, the number of studies available is limited, with a high risk of bias. More high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes are required before strongly suggesting HFB as an effective intervention for sleep-related problems.

Keywords: Sleep quality; warm water therapy; hydrotherapy; hot foot bath; sleep disturbance; naturopathy.

Background: Thymic carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy characterized by high invasiveness, poor prognosis, and limited treatment options post-chemotherapy failure. Anlotinib, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis, suggesting potential as an adjunctive therapy in this challenging clinical setting.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Anlotinib as a potential treatment option for thymic carcinoma post-chemotherapy failure, assessing its impact on tumor progression and patient survival outcomes.

Case presentation: A 46-year-old female presented with a left supraclavicular mass persisting for one month. Percutaneous needle biopsy of the left mediastinal mass confirmed thymic carcinoma, specifically lowly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

Management: The patient underwent sequential treatment modalities, including first-line therapy, comprising four cycles of cisplatin + paclitaxel, followed by subsequent radiotherapy to the chest and neck. It was followed by second-line therapy involving six cycles of cyclophosphamide + pirarubicin + nedaplatin and third-line therapy consisting of four cycles of gemcitabine and nedaplatin. Notably, fourth-line therapy with Anlotinib monotherapy resulted in a progression-free survival of 10 months.

Outcome: Anlotinib emerges as a potential therapeutic option for thymic carcinoma post-chemotherapy failure. However, further validation through preclinical investigations and clinical trials is warranted.

Conclusion: Despite its limited ability to rapidly reduce tumor size, Anlotinib demonstrates efficacy in inhibiting neovascularization and impeding tumor progression and metastasis, thereby maintaining long-term tumor stability. It highlights its potential as a valuable adjunctive therapy in the management of thymic carcinoma.

Keywords: thymic carcinoma, anti-angiogenic drugs, Anlotinib, progression-free survival, neovascularization inhibition, metastasis suppression.

Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of the Kuntai capsule in improving ovarian function in rats with transplantation of cryopreserved ovary.

Methods: Two mice ovary cell lines were cultured with Kuntai capsule decoction, and cell apoptosis was detected by MTT assay. A total of 90 SPF Sprague Dawley rats were included in this study. Thirty rats were used as the control group (group A), and not treated with any surgical operation. The remaining 60 rats were subjected to surgery to collect ovarian tissues and to construct a premature ovarian failure model. Ovarian tissues were cryopreserved, thawed, and transplanted back to ovaries. Sixty rats with ovary transplantation were randomly divided into group B and group C. Rats in group B were treated with Kuntai capsule at a dose of 0.1 capsule per day while rats in group C were fed with normal food. Serum levels of estradiol (E2) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected. Expressions of several cytokines, including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and apoptotic factors caspase-3 and p53, were also detected.

Results: Kuntai capsule decoction inhibited apoptosis of in vitro cultured mice ovary cells. Furthermore, the Kuntai capsule promoted the recovery of E2 and FSH to normal levels and regulated the abnormal expression of HGF, VEGF, and IGF-1 and apoptotic factors caspase-3 and p53 in rats with premature ovarian failure after homotopic transplantation of ovarian tissue.

Conclusion: The Kuntai capsule can improve ovarian functions by regulating sexual hormones and cell apoptosis in rats with premature ovarian failure after homotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovary tissue.

Keywords: premature ovarian failure, Kuntai capsule, apoptosis, sexual hormones, homotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovary tissue.

Introduction: Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder that often presents with significant discomfort and can negatively impact the quality of life. In some cases, it is associated with dyspareunia (painful intercourse). Pelvic floor dysfunction is a key contributing factor to both chronic constipation and dyspareunia.

Case: This case report explores the role of pelvic floor rehabilitation in managing chronic constipation with concomitant dyspareunia in a 33-year-old female patient. The patient presented with long-standing constipation, along with vaginal pain during intercourse, which had led to significant emotional and physical impairment. A comprehensive pelvic floor rehabilitation program, including pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback, and manual therapy, was implemented. The outcomes demonstrated improvement in both constipation symptoms and dyspareunia, highlighting the effectiveness of targeted pelvic floor therapy.

Conclusion: This case suggests the potential of pelvic floor rehabilitation as a non-invasive, integrated treatment approach for individuals experiencing chronic constipation and dyspareunia, particularly when pelvic floor dysfunction is identified as a contributing factor.

Keywords: Constipation, dyspareunia, pelvic floor, biofeedback, case report.

Background: As a mixed state of depressive and manic syndrome, the concept of bipolar disorder has remained unclear to date. Treatment of mixed states is difficult due to clinical recognition and poor therapeutic ideas. Based on expert consensus, it is important to establish a new definition of bipolar disorder, understand the concept of its mixed state within the field of clinical psychiatry, and explore its diagnosis and treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine.

Methods: The Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WANFANG Database, Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index, and PubMed were used to retrieve relevant studies according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The retrieved studies were analyzed through the lens of evidence-based medicine, and the primary conclusion was obtained after quality control of 11 items listed in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). An expert consultation, evaluation of conflict of interest, and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research < Evaluation II (AGREE II) assessment were completed one after another. The expert consensus was established.

Results: It was defined in expert consensus that bipolar disorder mixed state includes three aspects: mixed episode in ICD-10/11, mixed feature in DSM-5, and mixed unit in Tongde criteria. The syndrome and its therapeutic methods of bipolar disorder mixed state were classified and described in the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach, which was combined with Western medicine for diagnosis and therapeutics.

Conclusion: The expert consensus of integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine for diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder with mixed states has been established, to help clinical practice.

Keywords: integrative medicine, bipolar disorder, mixed state, mixed unit, Traditional Chinese Medicine, western medicine, expert consensus.

Abstract: A 60-year-old male with lifestyle factors including excessive cigarette smoking, high intake of sugared energy drinks, high processed Standard American Diet (SAD), moderate alcohol intake, and lack of exercise presented symptoms of fatigue, frequent urination, poor wound healing, lethargy, insomnia, excessive snoring, and dizziness. A diagnosis of sleep apnea, polyurea, metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia was made by the treating physician. The patient was advised a personalized high-quality supplement regimen and diet intervention for six months. The supplement regimen consisted of Designs for Health Red Yeast Rice, Arterosil® HP, Metabolic Synergy™, Berberine-Evail™, GlucoSupreme™ Herbal, and Mito-NR™. The protocol resulted in complete reversal of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipidemia, significant weight loss, and positive changes in hyperglycemia. This case report investigated the scientific basis of the intervention (nutraceuticals and their constituents and the dietary protocol), rationale, and outcome.

Keywords: case report, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, poses significant management challenges due to its persistent nature, recurrences, and side effects associated with conventional therapies. Ayurveda correlates psoriasis with Ekakushtha (a type of skin disorder), primarily involving Vata-Kapha dosha imbalance.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic therapies, including Shodhana (Vamana, Raktamokshana) and Shamana (pacification medications), in managing scalp psoriasis.

Methodology: A 35-year-old male with chronic scalp psoriasis underwent Panchakarma, including Vamana (therapeutic emesis). Post-Shodhana, conservative management included 777 oil, Psora soap, Panchatikta Ghrita Guggulu, and Sut Shekhar Ras, along with Leech therapy (Raktamokshana) weekly for one month. Lifestyle and dietary modifications were also advised.

Results: The patient experienced significant relief from itching, scaling, erythema, and lesion thickness. Follow-up revealed improved scalp texture, reduced scaling, and absence of flare-ups. No adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion: Ayurvedic interventions combining detoxification (Shodhana) and pacification (Shamana) therapies demonstrated a safe and effective approach for managing scalp psoriasis, addressing systemic pathology while minimizing side effects. Further clinical trials are warranted to validate these findings.

Keywords: Ayurvedic treatment, therapeutic emesis, Vaman, Panchatikta Ghrita, Leech Therapy, Psora soap, scalp psoriasis, case report.