The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
-
J Altern Complement Med · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialAcupuncture on Yintang point decreases preoperative anxiety.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ear-press needle acupuncture on Yintang point for preoperative anxiety. ⋯ Ear-press needle acupuncture on Yintang point reduces preoperative anxiety in adult surgical patients.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Apr 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialAuricular acupressure for pain relief in adolescents with dysmenorrhea: a placebo-controlled study.
Primary dysmenorrhea is a common problem among menstruating adolescents and young women. It may cause physical distress and result in school absenteeism and reduced physical activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure on menstrual pain and distress in adolescents with dysmenorrhea. ⋯ Auricular acupressure relieves menstrual pain and distress in high-school adolescents. The findings may serve as a basis for using auricular acupressure to treat dysmenorrhea in adolescents. There was pain reduction with sham as well as with true acupoint acupressure, but the latter was significantly greater. The sham acupoint may not be used as a control for auricular acupoint and qualitative evaluation of dysmenorrhea should be added to the evaluation by SF-MPQ in future studies.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Apr 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialNutmeg extracts for painful diabetic neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study.
Current treatment strategies for painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) include oral medications, which are costly and may have adverse effects. Topical therapies have been used for PDN with some benefit. Nutmeg has certain properties that may be effective in ameliorating neuropathic pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether topical nutmeg extracts can reduce pain or improve the quality of life in PDN sufferers. ⋯ In this trial topical, nutmeg extracts did not add to the improvements observed in PDN symptoms during 4 weeks treatment with preparations containing menthol and methyl salicylate. Further research designed to test the individual components of the topical therapies used in this study may clarify their benefit.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyDoes Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern affect acupoint specific effect? Analysis of data from a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial for primary dysmenorrhea.
This study assessed the importance of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pattern on an acupoint-specific effect. ⋯ It suggested that TCM pattern might affect acupoint specific effect on the immediate pain relief obtained for participants with PD.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialYoga Nidra relaxation increases heart rate variability and is unaffected by a prior bout of Hatha yoga.
The measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) is often applied as an index of autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance and, therefore, myocardial stability. Previous studies have suggested that relaxation or mind-body exercise can influence ANS balance positively as measured by HRV but may act via different mechanisms. No studies, to the authors' knowledge, have examined the acute response in HRV to interventions combining relaxation and mind-body exercise. The objective of this study was to compare the acute HRV responses to Yoga Nidra relaxation alone versus Yoga Nidra relaxation preceded by Hatha yoga. ⋯ These changes demonstrate a favorable shift in autonomic balance to the parasympathetic branch of the ANS for both conditions, and that Yoga Nidra relaxation produces favorable changes in measures of HRV whether alone or preceded by a bout of Hatha yoga.