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European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100

(Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Author Index

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100

(Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

The NADA-Protokoll-standardised groupacupunture for improvement of metal state in patients with different psychiatric diseases

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100

Acupuncture provided for a single person is time- and cost consuming and there is less experience with acupuncture in psychiatric diseases because of the common opinion that acupuncture is not useful in acute crisis or severe phases of psychiatric diseases.In the 1970 a standardized earacupunture (NADA-Protocol) for treatment of drug addiction provided for a group setting of patients was developed and showed positive clinical effects: relief of agitation and disturbance of sleep, reduction of stress and relaxing effect for patients with different mental problems. The method is used in a group setting on dressed patients without need of any detailed diagnostic steps. Therefore it is very time- and cost effective and works also well on severe sick patients.The goal of the study was to invest...

Uncontrolled therapeutic observations in complementary medicine—What is the benefit?

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100

Discussion: Vandenbroucke suggested differentiating between two hierarchies of study design: one for intended effects of therapy (cf., 〈http://www.cebm.net/index.aspx?o=1025〉) and another one for discovery and studying new explanations. In the latter hierarchy, the traditional ranking of the levels of evidence is reversed: uncontrolled interventions administered in the context of clinical practice (as well as findings in patient or laboratory data and in the literature) are given the greatest importance because they may serve as catalysts for follow-up research (using the traditional hierarchy), which in turn might lead to new knowledge regarding diagnosis, therapy, and/or prevention. This double strategy may open another door towards the concept of integrative medicine. (Source: Europ...

Health training—A health coaching developments with integrative medicine

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100

Far-reaching changes, developments and trends can currently be witnessed in the fields of health counselling and health training. New and innovative counselling/training forms come more and more into the limelight and try to establish themselves, besides well-known and proven professions such as nutrition, exercising, relaxation, etc., as new professions in the service sector. Coaching belongs to those counselling models which are currently most under discussion. It is marked by a highly ambilvalent reputation: on the one hand, it is very successful in practice as a sound panacea that promises, to people who are afflicted with crises, rapid and professional help for self-help. On the other hand, it is looked upon rather sceptically since the term has not been defined so far; coaching has n...

Antiviral activity of a composition of Gentiana lutea L., Primula veris L., Sambucus nigra L., Rumex spec. and Verbena officinalis L. (Sinupret®) against viruses causing respiratory infections

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100

Sinupret®, an aqueous-ethanolic extract from five plants, Gentiana lutea L., Primula veris L., Sambucus nigra L., Rumex spec. and Verbena officinalis L., is frequently used in the treatment of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis and respiratory viral infections such as common cold. To date little is known about basic mechanisms of its potential antiviral activity. Therefore experiments have been performed for the detection of its antiviral activity against a broad panel of human pathogenic enveloped and non-enveloped RNA and DNA viruses causing infections of the upper respiratory tract: influenza A virus, parainfluenza virus, human rhinovirus B, coxsackievirus, adenovirus C, and respiratory syncytial virus.Determination of virus production was performed after treatment of the infected cells ...

Dissimilarities in reception and development of TCM in Germany and the USA

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100

Chinese Medicine has been labeled traditional in its external communication since the 1950s. It is widely thought of as a coherent, orthodox medical system that has been handed down to us in pristine and unaltered teachings. However, as Chinese Medicine is going global it is unlike orthodox teachings simultaneously adapting swiftly to local patterns of perception and interpretation, thereby being shaped into hitherto unknown forms. The globalization of Chinese Medicine produces multiple localized visions of a healing system that is permeable to external ideas and influences and very open to individual interpretations.In Germany biomedical patterns of perception and adaptation and a tendency to physiologize prevail among patients and Chinese Medical therapists whereas in the US the psycholo...

Cost-effectiveness of Breech Version by Acumoxa for women with a breech fetus at 33 weeks gestation: A modelling approach

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:50 +0100

Conclusions: Our results suggest that offering Acumoxa to women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation reduces the number of breech presentations at term, thus reducing the number of caesarean sections, and is cost-effective compared with expectant management including associated events as External Cephalic Version. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Health-related quality of life in patients with musculoskeletal complaints in a general acupuncture practice: An observational study

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:50 +0100

Question: Aim of this study was to (i) compare the HRQoL of patients undergoing routine acupuncture treatment for musculoskeletal complaints with a Dutch population sample and (ii) to investigate changes in HRQoL during the course of acupuncture treatment.Methods: We performed an observational study of 26 patients between 18 and 65 years of age in a single acupuncture practice. HRQoL was measured on eight functional domains using a RAND-36 health survey at baseline and after six and twelve treatment sessions. Baseline RAND-36 scores were compared with data from a Dutch population sample (n=1063) using t-test, and longitudinal data were analyzed using repeated measurement analyses.Results: At baseline, patients had significantly lower RAND-36 scores compared with the Dutch population sample...

Water temperature affects heart rate and core body temperature during whole body immersion

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:50 +0100

Conclusion: WI with a water temperature of 39°C increased heart rate and core body temperature and decreased HRV. Hence, WI at this temperature induces moderate cardiovascular stress and moderate hyperthermia. Spectral components of HRV and more specific analysis of temperature regulation may reveal more subtle changes during WI at different water temperatures. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Impact of eurythmy therapy on stress coping strategies and health-related quality of life

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:50 +0100

Background: Eurythmy therapy (EYT, Greek: eurythmy=harmonious rhythm) is a mind–body therapy derived from anthroposophic medicine. EYT is an approach that allows patients to participate actively in the process of achieving balance and good health and can lead to long-term alleviation of chronic disease symptoms. However, there is a discrepancy between the prevalence of EYT use and its empirical data base regarding efficacy.The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of EYT on stress coping strategies (SCS) and health-related quality of life (hrQoL) in a controlled study with moderately stressed subjects (N=74).Participants/method: In total 55 healthy adults (age=42.2±8.2) performed 10h of EYT over 6 weeks in a group setting. Controls did not receive any intervention (n=19; age=4...

A gait analysis pilot study of back pain patients before and after a multimodal pain therapy

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Conclusion: The analysis of gait parameters confirms changes in gait patterns and indicates an increase in symmetrical gait and lower stride-to-stride variability as a result of the multimodal integrative pain therapy. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Water drinking cure for alleviating menopausal complaints—A randomised controlled trial

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Question: To investigate the efficacy of drinking St. Leonhard's Water in comparison to tap water on menopausal symptoms. St. Leonhard's Water is low mineralized water from a natural fountain in the German prealp region, which claims to be beneficial in menopausal complaints.Methods: We conducted a double-blinded, randomised controlled clinical trial in 60 out-patients with a minimum score of 15 on Menopause Rating Scale II (MRS II). Patients were randomised to either drinking 2L daily of St. Leonhard's Water (verum) or 2L of tap water (control) from identical looking bottles.Main outcome parameter was the group difference of MRS II changes after 12 weeks of intervention. MRS II was evaluated every 3 weeks during intervention and at follow-up after 9 months. Secondary outcomes include the ...

Case conference on integrative medicine—Results of an experiment and future perspectives of a new interdisciplinary approach

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Conclusion: The Case Conference on Integrative Medicine should serve as a model for testing similar activities in academic hospitals and establishing such approaches in routine care. This integrative strategy has the potential to improve patient care in medicine. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

The Dutch complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) protocol

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Conclusion: In this presentation the prejudices are negated and the CAM protocol is presented. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Treatment of severe insulin-resistance with a 2-day oat-diet in clinical routine

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Introduction: The estimated prevalence of Diabetes Type 2 (T2D) in Europe is 8% with increasing tendency. Key feature of T2D is the insulin resistance (IR) which is accompanied amongst others by raised inflammation markers and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and sleep apnoea. In Diabetes therapy, oat diet is being used since decades. Recently there has been a publication of data concerning the treatment of severe IR with oatmeal. The goal of this study is to verify feasibility within clinical routine.Methods: Retrospective assessment of data of 30 patients (13f, 17m, age 62.1, SD 15.9) with a daily insulin dose (DID) of 134 IU (SD 48.9) and HbA1c of 10.2% (SD 2.0) having been treated with a 2-day diet of 3×3 carbohydrate units of oatmeal. Mean blood glucose (MBG) and DID was me...

Speech therapy changes blood circulation and oxygenation in the brain and muscle

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Introduction: Anthroposophic speech therapy (ATS) affects heart rate variability . The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether ATS also affects important physiological parameters, i.e. hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation in the brain and skeletal muscle of the leg measured by near infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS).Material and methods: Seven subjects (professional speech therapists, 3 male, 4 female, age range 29–49 years) were measured during ATS. The measurement included 10min pre-baseline before reciting, 10min reciting a hexameter followed by 10min post-baseline. An ISS OxiplexTS NIRS instrument non-invasively measured oxy-, deoxy- and total hemoglobin (O2Hb, HHb, tHb) and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2). The last 5min of pre-baseline were compared with hexameter recitatio...

Influence of Traumeel on cultured chondrocytes and recombinant human matrix metalloproteinases: Implications for chronic joint diseases

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Conclusion: Our data suggest that Traumeel offers a potential therapeutic option for chronic joint diseases which needs to be further investigated. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

A systematic review of remedies and indications of the use of homeopathic Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) in dental practice

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Discussion: Although the identified case reports suggest a high therapeutic potential of Hypericum for neuropathic pain, this effect up to now was not proven in clinical studies. Based on our results, studies on Hypericum in dental care going beyond the indication of post-extraction pain are highly encouraged. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Attitudes towards remedies of Complementary Medicine of pharmacy customers and pharmacists

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0100

Discussion: The area of CAM will gain in importance in official pharmacies. Therefore reliable sources of information are necessary for the pharmacist to satisfy the increasing demand on CAM. As a consequence a cross-sectional area of education in complementary medicine should be part of curriculum in pharmaceutical studies. Additionally, independent and certified continuous pharmaceutical education programs for CAM should be developed. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Effectiveness and tolerability of Lymphomyosot N solution for injection in treating oedemas and swellings of thrombotic or inflammatory aetiology in general clinical practice

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:48 +0100

Conclusions: The results will show whether Lymphomyosot N can be considered an effective and well-tolerated treatment of oedemas and swellings of thrombotic or inflammatory aetiology under conditions of everyday clinical practice. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Strategies for increasing spontaneous Adverse Drug Reaction reporting rates among Portuguese pharmacists

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:48 +0100

Conclusions: Educational interventions are efficient in increasing the ADR spontaneous reporting rate, among Portuguese pharmacists. Among this professional group, workshops are as efficient as telephone interview to improve ADR spontaneous reporting. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Stiff-Man-Syndrome: Association of an autoimmune-encephalomyelitis with endocrinopathies and organ-specific antibodies

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:48 +0100

Stiff-Man-Syndrome (SMS) is a complex neuroimmunological disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) with endocrinological, motoric, vegetative symptoms and is associated with autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). SMS and its variants, stiff limb syndrome (SLS) and progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM), appear to occur more frequently than hitherto thought. The cause of SMS is unknown.In a retrospective assessment of 92 patients (1989–2005) we investigated the correlation between SMS/SLS/PERM, associated autoimmune disorders, organ-specific antibodies and immungenetic HLA-association to find out the immunological differences between SMS, its variants and GAD-Ab positive- and negative patients. In total 54 of 92 patients with SMS and its variants were...

Hospital-to-home®-mobility supported postoperative care management for surgical wards

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:48 +0100

Background: To reduce costs in the inpatient sector, hospitals are tending towards reducing the duration of hospitalisation. With respect to demand- and resource-based inpatient admissions and bed-occupancy planning, patient management systems have proven their value and are established on surgical wards. Nevertheless, as the final link in the process chain, patient-centred inpatient discharge procedures are not without problems. In many cases, in the absence of provision for competent aftercare in the patient's home, the situation becomes a crisis-management scenario, particularly for post-operative surgery patients.Methods: Solutions to this area of potential conflict have been developed by hospital-to-home® mobile health services. These prototypical solutions were monitored and evaluat...

Immune messengers in Neuralgia Inducing Cavitational Osteonecrosis (NICO) and systemic disease

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:48 +0100

Question: In the practice of the author astounding improvements of systemic complaints which accompanied apparently rheumatic, neuralgic and other chronically inflammatory systemic diseases are consistently observed after cleaning pain-free edentulous areas of the jaw. These are marked by fatty-degenerative osteonecrosis of the cancellous bone (NICO). Where is the connection between the local surgery of the jaw bone and the systemic results?Methods of research: In order to clarify systemic interrelations of NICO, samples of cancellous bone have been extracted from six subjects. The specimens were then analyzed by bead-based multiplex technology and tested for 27 immune messengers.Results: All six specimens concordantly showed highest concentration for IL 1-ra (Interleukin-1-receptor antago...

Integrative medicine—Answer for burn out patients

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:48 +0100

Introduction: The burnout syndrome is a highly complex constellation with emotional, mental, somatic and social deficits. A psychosomatically oriented module has been developed with the integrative medicine approach.Methodology and conclusions: In total 60 patients (36 female, 52±8.5J; 24 male, 49±5.8J.) were treated with the above therapeutical concept. Pre- and post-treatment situations were assessed on the basis of the stress management questionnaire, the Maslach inventory and a concept appraisal, which was developed specifically for this purpose. It was possible to show in a significant way that stress management and the degree of the burnout risk constellation were improved. According to the treated patients’ evaluation, the concept builds up synergistically and is profound. (Sour...

Classifying the questionnaire on self-reported autonomic regulation (aR)

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:47 +0100

Conclusion: The aR scale is a reliable questionnaire indicating probable loss of regulation below 34, suspected loss of aR from 39, unclear loss or lightly low constitutional aR from 40 to 47 and no constriction above 47. The possible qualitative differences between low constitutional aR and loss of aR demand further research. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Structure of S-3 medical guidelines—Implications for CAM researchers

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:47 +0100

Medical guidelines are intended to guide decisions and criteria regarding diagnosis, management, and treatment. Strategy is to review, summarize and evaluate the best evidence and most current data on prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Then the most important questions related to clinical practice are defined and all possible decision options and their outcomes are identified. There are currently about 800 German guidelines available, classified into 3 levels. Only 50 of them are of the highest, the so-called S-3 level, incorporating expert opinion on the basis of current evidence within the paradigm of evidence-based medicine.To date, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is not yet a well integrated part of existing medical guidelines. However, responding to patient req...

Biophoton emission in high-potency research on wheat seeds models

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:45 +0100

Conclusion: The results back the hypothesis, that the effects of homeopathic agents on biological systems may be recognized in very early stages by biophoton coherence measurings. The observations of the present data showed similarities with the growth length experiments, which had been done in the same time period. The wheat seed model which showed some fluctuations, has to be refined, and might thus be an interesting model for studying coherence interactions in relation to homeopathic agents. Further research is required to make the model more stable, to define his boundaries and to increase the amount of data. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Proposal for a comparison of relative differences in fundamental botanical homoeopathy research

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:45 +0100

Question: To standardise a statistical approach to comparing relative differences in homoeopathy research.Background: Betti et al. (1997) and Brizzi et al. (2005) reported a stimulation of the longitudinal growth of wheat stalks through treatment of the seeds with high potencies of arsenic. On replicating the experiment however, Binder et al. (2005) found a significant decrease in longitudinal growth. Hamann et al. (2003) described biphasic effects of seed germination under high dilutions of gibberellic acid.Several independent researchers working at the Interuniversity College found significantly reduced longitudinal growth of wheat stalks in groups treated with gibberellic acid 30× (stepwise diluted and succussed, 10e–30: G 30×) as compared with groups treated with water 30× (W 30×...

Inter-rater reliability in homoeopathic repertorisation and remedy selection

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:45 +0100

Conclusion: The experimental design presented here should be further investigated by experienced homeopaths. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Peoples integrated alliance: Supplementing Bangladeshi traditional medical practice with western technologies