Alternative therapies in health and medicine
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Altern Ther Health Med · Mar 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialDouble-blind placebo-controlled trial of static magnets for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: results of a pilot study.
Outpatient clinical studies of magnet therapy, a complementary therapy commonly used to treat osteoarthritis (OA), have been limited by the absence of a credible placebo control. ⋯ Despite our small sample size, magnets showed statistically significant efficacy compared to placebo after 4 hours under rigorously controlled conditions. The sustained efficacy of magnetic therapy for knee osteoarthritis could be assessed in an adequately powered trial utilizing an appropriate control such our new placebo-magnet device.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Jan 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effects of back massage before diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
Admission to the hospital for a diagnostic cardiac catheterization can be perceived as a threat to one's health status. Autonomic nervous system arousal, particularly the sympathetic division, can elicit negative physiological and psychological human responses as a reaction to this threat. ⋯ A 20-minute back massage appeared to reduce systolic blood pressure in patients awaiting a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, while preparatory time in the cardiac catheterization laboratory appeared to reduce diastolic blood pressure, respiration, perceived psychological distress, and pain.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Sep 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialGinger syrup as an antiemetic in early pregnancy.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used to ameliorate symptoms of nausea. A beverage containing ginger in a syrup may be easier to consume than a capsule or solid food. ⋯ The ingestion of 1 g of ginger in syrup in a divided dose daily may be useful in some patients experiencing nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Altern Ther Health Med · Jul 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAcustimulation wristbands for the relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Substantial evidence suggests that acupuncture-point stimulation may be effective in controlling side effects of chemotherapy. ⋯ Findings on the efficacy of an acustimulation band for the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea are positive but not conclusive. These findings provide ample justification for further study of acustimulation in clinical oncology.
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Altern Ther Health Med · May 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialMassage therapy for patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
Anxiety and its pharmacological treatment can interfere with cardiac catheterization. Massage therapy has been used primarily in nonmedical settings for relaxation and stress reduction, and some research demonstrates its efficacy in medical environments. ⋯ The results of the study suggest that a 10-minute massage before an invasive cardiac procedure is insufficient to decrease stress measurably.