The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
-
J Altern Complement Med · May 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Effects of Dextrose Prolotherapy in Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Objective: To investigate the effects of dextrose prolotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Design: A prospective, randomized-controlled interventional trial. Setting: An outpatient pain medicine clinic. ⋯ The WOMAC physical functioning scores were improved in the PG compared to the CG at 18 weeks (p < 0.001). The physical component scores of the HRQoL were significantly improved in the PG compared to the CG at 18 weeks (p = 0.016), but the mental component scores of the HRQoL showed no significant differences. Conclusions: These findings suggest that dextrose prolotherapy is effective at reducing pain and improving the functional status and quality of life in patients with KOA.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Apr 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of Short Wave Diathermy Added on Dextrose Prolotherapy Injections in Osteoarthritis of the Knee.
Objective: To show the effects of short wave diathermy (SWD) added on prolotherapy injections in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee on pain, physical functioning, and quality of life. Design: This is a single-blinded randomized controlled study. Setting: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of a university hospital. ⋯ Conclusions: This study shows that prolotherapy is effective for pain, functionality, and quality of life in patients with OA of the knee. The effects of additional SWD require more evidence. More studies of higher quality are required to make a statement.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Apr 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialPreliminary Efficacy of a Brief Mindfulness Intervention for Procedural Stress in Medical Intern Simulated Performance: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.
Objectives: Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) programs have been shown to be beneficial to improve procedural skill acquisition. However, simulated procedure performance can be affected by a host of factors, including stress. This investigation examined the preliminary efficacy of bolstering an established SBML program for medical residents with a brief mindfulness intervention (called a PITSTOP) to reduce procedural stress and improve simulator performance. Design: The study employed a partially blinded, parallel-group, randomized, repeated-measures intention-to-treat design. ⋯ PGY 1 participants were randomly assigned to the PITSTOP intervention (12-min PITSTOP mindfulness training video) or control group (12-min control video on ways to increase physical activity) before the SBML pretest. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was a comparison of each group's simulator performance during pre- and post-tests. Secondary outcomes were changes in groups' procedural stress during these tests (assessed using self-reported, instructor-rated, and physiologic indicators), and self-reported self-regulation outcomes. Results: Residents who watched the PITSTOP video before their SBML training made fewer procedural errors relative to controls during their pretest for intrajugular CVC insertion (p = 0.03). PITSTOP participants also had lower heart rate (p = 0.03) and less visible trembling (p = 0.003) relative to controls at the post-test. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that a brief, mindfulness intervention may reduce stress during SBML training.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Mar 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialThalamic Gamma Aminobutyric Acid Level Changes in Major Depressive Disorder After a 12-Week Iyengar Yoga and Coherent Breathing Intervention.
Objective: To determine if a 12-week yoga intervention (YI) was associated with increased gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and decreased depressive symptoms in participants with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods : Subjects were randomized to a high-dose group (HDG) of three YIs a week and a low-dose group (LDG) of two YIs a week. Thalamic GABA levels were obtained using magnetic resonance spectroscopy at Scan-1 before randomization. After the assigned 12-week intervention, Scan-2 was obtained, immediately followed by a YI and Scan-3. ⋯ Post hoc, participants were divided into two groups based on having an increase in GABA levels at Scan-2. Increases in Scan-2 GABA levels were observed in participants whose mean time between their last YI and Scan-2 was 3.93 ± 2.92 standard deviation (SD) days, but not in those whose mean time between their last YI and Scan-2 was 7.83 ± 6.88 SD. Conclusions: This study tentatively supports the hypothesis that one of the mechanisms through which yoga improves mood is by increasing the activity of the GABA system. The observed increase in GABA levels following a YI that was no longer observed 8 days after a YI suggests that the associated increase in GABA after a YI is time limited such that at least one YI a week may be necessary to maintain the elevated GABA levels.
-
J Altern Complement Med · Sep 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffectiveness of Hatha Yoga Versus Conventional Therapeutic Exercises for Chronic Nonspecific Low-Back Pain.
Objective: To determine whether the effectiveness of Hatha yoga therapy is comparable to conventional therapeutic exercises (CTEs) for reducing back pain intensity and back-related dysfunction in patients with chronic nonspecific low-back pain (CNLBP). Design: The study was a prospective randomized comparative trial, divided into two phases: an initial 6-weekly supervised intervention period followed by a 6-week follow-up period. Settings: This study was conducted at Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research of a tertiary care hospital. Subjects: Patients between 18 and 55 years of age with complaint of CNLBP persisting ≥12 weeks with pain rating ≥4 on a numerical rating scale (0-10). Intervention: A total of six standardized 35-min weekly Hatha yoga sessions (yoga group) and similarly 35-min weekly sessions of CTEs (CTE group), designed for people with CNLBP unaccustomed to structured yoga or CTE program. Participants were asked to practice on nonclass days at home. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measures were Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) (0-10) and 24-point Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ). Secondary outcomes were pain medication usage per week and a postintervention Perceived recovery (Likert seven-point scale) of back-related dysfunction. ⋯ Both yoga and the CTE group have shown significant improvement in back pain intensity and back-related dysfunction within both the groups at 6- and 12-week follow-ups compared to baseline. No statistically significant differences in the pain intensity (DVPRS; at 6 weeks: n = 35, difference of medians 1.0, 95% confidence interval [-5.3 to 3.0], p = 0.5; at 12 weeks: n = 35, 0.0 [-4.2 to 5.0], 0.7) and back-related dysfunction (RDQ; at 6 weeks: n = 35, 1.0 [-9.6 to 10.6], 0.4; at 12 weeks: n = 35, 0.0 [-8.8 to 10.6], 0.3) were noted between two groups. Improvements in pill consumption and perceived recovery were also comparable between the groups. Conclusion: Yoga provided similar improvement compared with CTEs, in patients with CNLBP.