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Fifteen minutes of chair-based yoga postures or guided meditation performed in the office can elicit a relaxation response.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:501986

Authors: Melville GW, Chang D, Colagiuri B, Marshall PW, Cheema BS

Abstract
This study compared acute (15 min) yoga posture and guided meditation practice, performed seated in a typical office workspace, on physiological and psychological markers of stress. Twenty participants (39.6 ± 9.5 yr) completed three conditions: yoga, meditation, and control (i.e., usual work) separated by ≥24 hrs. Yoga and meditation significantly reduced perceived stress versus control, and this effect was maintained postintervention. Yoga increased heart rate while meditation reduced heart rate versus control (P < 0.05). Respiration rate was reduced during yoga and meditation versus control (P < 0.05). Domains of heart rate variability (e.g., SDNN and Total Power) were significantly reduced during control versus yoga and meditation. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced secondary to meditation versus control only (P < 0.05). Physiological adaptations generally regressed toward baseline postintervention. In conclusion, yoga postures or meditation performed in the office can acutely improve several physiological and psychological markers of stress. These effects may be at least partially mediated by reduced respiration rate.

PMID: 22291847 [PubMed - in process]

[Obesity and colorectal cancer].

Korean J Gastroenterol. 2012 Jan 25;59(1):16-26

Authors: Na SY, Myung SJ

Abstract
Obesity worldwide is constantly increasing. Obesity acts as an independent significant risk factor for malignant tumors of various organs including colorectal cancer. Visceral adipose tissue is physiologically more important than subcutaneous adipose tissue. The relative risk of colorectal cancer of obese patients is about 1.5 times higher than the normal-weight individuals, and obesity is also associated with premalignant colorectal adenoma. The colorectal cancer incidence of obese patients has gender-specific and site-specific characteristics that it is higher in men than women and in the colon than rectum. Obesity acts as a risk factor of colorectal carcinogenesis by several mechanisms. Isulin, insulin-like growth factor, leptin, adiponectin, microbiome, and cytokines of chronic inflammation etc. have been understood as its potential mechanisms. In addition, obesity in patients with colorectal cancer negatively affects the disease progression and response of chemotherapy. Although the evidence is not clear yet, there are some reports that weight loss as well as life-modification such as dietary change and physical activity can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. It is very important knowledge in the point that obesity is a potentially modifiable risk factor that can alter the incidence and outcome of the colorectal cancer. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2012;59: 3-26).

PMID: 22289950 [PubMed - in process]

Impact of Tai Chi exercise on multiple fracture-related risk factors in post-menopausal osteopenic women: a pilot pragmatic, randomized trial.

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Jan 30;12(1):7

Authors: Wayne PM, Kiel DP, Buring JE, Connors EM, Bonato P, Yeh GY, Cohen CJ, Mancinelli C, Davis RB

Abstract
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Tai Chi (TC) is a mind-body exercise that shows potential as an effective and safe intervention for preventing fall-related fractures in the elderly. Few randomized trials have simultaneously evaluated TC's potential to reduce bone loss and improve fall-predictive balance parameters in osteopenic women. METHODS: In a pragmatic randomized trial, 86 post-menopausal osteopenic women, aged 45-70, were recruited from community clinics. Women were assigned to either nine months of TC training plus usual care (UC) vs. UC alone. Primary outcomes were changes between baseline and nine months of bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur and lumbar spine (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and serum markers of bone resorption and formation. Secondary outcomes included quality of life. In a subsample (n=16), quiet standing fall-predictive sway parameters and clinical balance tests was also assessed. Both intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses employed. RESULTS: For BMD, no intent-to-treat analyses were statistically significant; however, per protocol analyses (i.e., only including TC participants who completed [greater than or equal to] 75% training requirements) of femoral neck BMD changes were significantly different between TC and UC (+0.04 vs. -0.98%; P=0.05). Changes in bone formation markers and physical domains of quality of life were also more favorable in per protocol TC vs. UC (P=0.05). Changes in sway parameters were significantly improved by TC vs. UC (average sway velocity, P=0.027; anterior-posterior sway range, P=0.014). Clinical measures of balance and function showed statistically non-significant trends in favor of TC. CONCLUSIONS: TC training offered through existing community-based programs is a safe, feasible, and promising intervention for reducing multiple fracture risks. Our results affirm the value of a more definitive, longer-term trial of TC for osteopenic women, adequately powered to detect clinically relevant effects of TC on attenuation of BMD loss and reduction of fall risk in this population. Trail registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01039012.

PMID: 22289280 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Influence of meditation on anti-correlated networks in the brain.

Front Hum Neurosci. 2011;5:183

Authors: Josipovic Z, Dinstein I, Weber J, Heeger DJ

Abstract
Human experiences can be broadly divided into those that are external and related to interaction with the environment, and experiences that are internal and self-related. The cerebral cortex appears to be divided into two corresponding systems: an "extrinsic" system composed of brain areas that respond more to external stimuli and tasks and an "intrinsic" system composed of brain areas that respond less to external stimuli and tasks. These two broad brain systems seem to compete with each other, such that their activity levels over time is usually anti-correlated, even when subjects are "at rest" and not performing any task. This study used meditation as an experimental manipulation to test whether this competition (anti-correlation) can be modulated by cognitive strategy. Participants either fixated without meditation (fixation), or engaged in non-dual awareness (NDA) or focused attention (FA) meditations. We computed inter-area correlations ("functional connectivity") between pairs of brain regions within each system, and between the entire extrinsic and intrinsic systems. Anti-correlation between extrinsic vs. intrinsic systems was stronger during FA meditation and weaker during NDA meditation in comparison to fixation (without mediation). However, correlation between areas within each system did not change across conditions. These results suggest that the anti-correlation found between extrinsic and intrinsic systems is not an immutable property of brain organization and that practicing different forms of meditation can modulate this gross functional organization in profoundly different ways.

PMID: 22287947 [PubMed - in process]

Mind-Body Interventions for Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain in Persons with Amputation.

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 Jan 26;

Authors: Moura VL, Faurot KR, Gaylord SA, Mann JD, Sill M, Lynch C, Lee MY

Abstract
ABSTRACT: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a significant source of chronic pain in most persons with amputation at some time in their clinical course. Pharmacologic therapies for this condition are often only moderately effective and may produce unwanted adverse effects. There is growing empirical evidence of the therapeutic effectiveness of mind-body therapies for the relief of chronic pain; therefore, an exploration of their role in relieving amputation-related chronic pain is warranted. We undertook a focused literature review on mind-body interventions for patients with amputation who experience PLP. Because of study heterogeneity, only descriptive presentations of the studies are presented. Only studies of hypnosis, imagery, and biofeedback, including visual mirror feedback, were found; studies on meditation, yoga, and tai chi/qigong were missing from the literature. Few studies of specific mind-body therapies were dedicated to management of PLP, with the exception of mirror visual therapy. Overall, studies were largely exploratory and reflect considerable variability in the application of mind-body techniques, making definitive conclusions inadvisable. Nevertheless, the weight of existing findings indicates that a mind-body approach to PLP pain management is promising and that specific methods may offer either temporary or long-term relief, either alone or in combination with conventional therapies. The authors discuss the potential for usefulness of specific mind-body therapies and the relevance of their mechanisms of action to those of PLP, including targeting cortical reorganization, autonomic nervous system deregulation, stress management, coping ability, and quality-of-life. The authors recommend more and better quality research exploring the efficacy and mechanisms of action.

PMID: 22286895 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Sahaja yoga: a unique adjunctive approach for the management of cardiac arrhythmias?

Int J Cardiol. 2011 Oct 6;152(1):99-100

Authors: Yalta K, Sivri N, Yetkin E

PMID: 21807424 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Energy healing and the placebo effect. An anthropological perspective on the placebo effect.

Anthropol Med. 2012 Jan 31;

Authors: Ostenfeld-Rosenthal AM

Abstract
The paper deals with a classical anthropological issue, the working mechanisms of rituals and the relation between healing rituals and the placebo effect. The point of departure of the paper is MUS (medically unexplained symptoms) patients' experiences of Danish healing rituals. The aim of the paper is to develop an understanding of how bodily experienced images of body and self work to transform the patient during a healing ritual. It is argued that a bodily founded symbolic re-editing of body- and self-image is an essential skill in healing rituals. In conclusion, it is argued that the placebo is nothing but the effectiveness of bodily experienced symbols.

PMID: 22292568 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Poisoning and suicide by cyanide jewelry cleaner in the US Hmong community: A case series.

Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2012 Jan 31;

Authors: Garlich FM, Alsop JA, Anderson DL, Geller RJ, Kalugdan TT, Roberts DJ, Thomas LC

Abstract
Over 200 000 persons of Hmong ethnicity live in the United States. The majority of this Southeast Asian ethnic group live in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Tradition plays a strong role in the Hmong population, and difficulty in assimilation into "Western ways" has been reported to result in depression and suicide attempts. Some products sold at Southeast Asian ethnic markets are well-known within the Hmong community to be lethal but are essentially unknown to the outside community. We describe eight cases in which cyanide-containing products were ingested by Hmong patients. Seven cases were suicide attempts involving the ingestion of a locally-purchased substance intended for cleaning metal, coins, or jewelry. One case involved the fatal ingestion of a cyanide-containing "herbal" cure. In the majority of the cases, cyanide was not initially suspected, and treatment was delayed due to lack of information regarding the product ingested. In the two patients who survived, the cyanide antidote kit (sodium nitrite, amyl nitrite, and sodium thiosulfate) was administered early. Clinicians should be aware that unusual and potentially lethal products are easily available at ethnic markets. Cyanide toxicity should be suspected, and empiric antidote therapy initiated early, in patients of Hmong or Southeast Asian descent who present with sudden and unexplained cardiovascular collapse and metabolic acidosis, especially in the setting of a suspected suicidal ingestion.

PMID: 22292976 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Concomitant herbal medicine and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) use among HIV patients in Western Uganda: A cross-sectional analysis of magnitude and patterns of use, associated factors and impact on ART adherence.

AIDS Care. 2012 Jan 31;

Authors: Lubinga SJ, Kintu A, Atuhaire J, Asiimwe S

Abstract
Abstract Use of herbal medicines among patients receiving Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) remains by far an uncharacterised phenomenon in Africa and Uganda specifically. We evaluated the use of herbal medicines among patients on ART at the HIV clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), examined factors associated with their concomitant use and their impact on ART adherence. This was a cross-sectional study among 334 systematically sampled patients receiving ART at the HIV clinic of MRRH from February to April 2010. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical characteristics, perceptions of quality of care received, self-perceived health status, information on ART received, herbal medicines use and ART adherence. Study outcomes were concomitant herbal medicine and ART use, and ART adherence. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were conducted using Stata10.0. Close to half, 155 (46.4%) reported concomitant herbal medicines and ART use, with 133 (39.8%) using herbal medicines at least once daily. Most (71.6%) used herbal medicines to treat HIV-related symptoms. A majority (92.3%) reported that the doctors were unaware of their use of herbal medicines, 68.5% citing its minimal importance to the attending physician. Most frequently used herbs were Aloe vera (25%) and Vernonia amygdalina (21%). Time since start of ART (OR 1.14 95% CI: 1.01-1.28, for each one year increase), number of ART side effects reported (≥3 vs.≤1, OR 2.20 95% CI 1.13-4.26) and self-perceived health status (Good vs. Poor, OR 0.31 95% CI 0.12-0.79) were independently associated with concomitant herbal medicine and ART use. Concomitant herbal medicine and ART use was not associated with poor ART adherence (OR 0.85 95% CI 0.47-1.53). There is widespread concomitant herbal medicines and ART use among our patients, with no association to poor ART adherence. Patients appear to use these therapies to complement as opposed to substituting ART.

PMID: 22292937 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Metabolite profiling and characterization for medicinal herbal remedies.

Curr Drug Metab. 2012 Jan 18;

Authors: Yang M, Cheng C, Yang J, Guo DA

Abstract
Metabolisms of herbal remedies and their natural components, which play a critical role in support of medicine development, and clinical medication, are drastically different from those of designed drugs. The separation, isolation and identification of drug metabolites from complex endogenous matrices like urine, plasma and tissue extracts are extremely challenging. For herbal medicine studies, it is even more difficult due to the complex chemical composition. Usually, a combination of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) is proven to be a powerful analytical tool for screening and identifying drug metabolites. For suitable instruments, the quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF), hybrid ion trap time-of-flight (IT-TOF), and orbitrap mass spectrometry could clearly enhance the efficiency in metabolite profiling compared to general triquadrupole (QQQ) and ion trap (IT) mass spectrometry technique. Due to the ability for unambiguous structure determination, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is also coupled to HPLC for on-line analysis of metabolites. Capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography are also optional methods. These techniques could provide abundant information from a wide variety of samples. However, in many cases, preparations of metabolites are critical for further pharmacokinetics, pharmacologic, and toxic evaluation of the remedy. Therefore, accumulations of metabolites from the in vivo biological samples are essential. Biotransformation models are considered to be important complementary sources for preparation of drug metabolites. Fungi, plant cells, and a variety of enzymes were used to provide information for further in vivo testing. This review focuses on the screening and identification of drug metabolites from herbal medicines.

PMID: 22292788 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

A novel naturally-occurring salicylic acid analogue acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB activity in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Mol Pharm. 2012 Jan 31;

Authors: Zhang T, Sun L, Liu R, Zhang D, Lan X, Huang C, Xin W, Wang C, Zhang DM, Du G

Abstract
Methyl salicylate 2-O-b-D-lactoside (DL0309), is a molecule chemically related to salicylic acid that is isolated from Gaultheria yunnanensis (FRANCH.) REHDER (G. yunnanensis). G. yunnanensis is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and is widely used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, swelling, pain, trauma, and chronic tracheitis. In the present study, we explored the mechanism whereby DL0309 exerts the anti-inflammatory effect, using the model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells. We examined the effects of DL0309 on LPS-induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) activity by western blot analysis, cell imaging analysis and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was also measured. Our observations indicate that DL0309 suppressed production of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), in a concentration-dependent manner. The phosphorylation of IKK-β and degradation of IκB-α by LPS were both inhibited by DL0309 in the cytoplasm. The increased protein level of NF-κB and by LPS in the nucleus and cytoplasm was also reduced by DL0309. Consistent with these results, we also found that DL0309 may prevents the nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of NF-κB. Finally, our results demonstrate that DL0309 exerts anti-inflammatory effects, by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressing of the activation of NF-kB signaling pathway in LPS-treated macrophage cells. Therefore, DL0309 may have therapeutic potential for treating inflammatory diseases by regulating NF-κB pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

PMID: 22292506 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

A systematic review on use of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for treatment of obesity.

Obes Rev. 2012 Feb 1;

Authors: Sui Y, Zhao HL, Wong VC, Brown N, Li XL, Kwan AK, Hui HL, Ziea ET, Chan JC

Abstract
Obesity is a major health hazard and despite lifestyle modification, many patients frequently regain any lost body weight. The use of western anti-obesity drugs has been limited by side effects including mood changes, suicidal thoughts, and gastrointestinal or cardiovascular complications. The effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine including Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and acupuncture provide an alternative established therapy for this medical challenge. In this systematic review, we used standard methodologies to search, review, analyse and synthesize published data on the efficacy, safety and relapse of weight regain associated with use of CHM and acupuncture. We also examined the rationale, mechanisms and potential utility of these therapies. A total of 12 electronic databases, including Chinese, English, Korean and Japanese, were searched up to 28 February 2010. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for CHM and/or acupuncture with comparative controls were considered. We used the Jadad scale to assess methodological qualities, the random effect model in the pooled analysis of therapeutic efficacy to adjust for heterogeneity and funnel plots to explore publication bias. After screening 2,545 potential articles from the electronic databases, we identified 96 RCTs; comprising of 49 trials on CHM treatment, 44 trials on acupuncture treatment and 3 trials on combined therapy for appraisal. There were 4,861 subjects in the treatment groups and 3,821 in the control groups, with treatment duration ranging from 2 weeks to 4 months. Of the 77 publications written in Chinese, 75 had a Jadad score <3, while 16 of the 19 English publications had a Jadad score of >3. Efficacy was defined as body weight reduction ≥2 kg or body mass index (BMI) reduction ≥0.5 kg/m(2) . Compared with placebo or lifestyle modification, CHM and acupuncture exhibited respective 'risk ratio' (RR) of 1.84 (95% CI: 1.37-2.46) and 2.14 (95% CI: 1.58-2.90) in favour of body weight reduction, with a mean difference in body weight reduction of 4.03 kg (95% CI: 2.22-5.85) and 2.76 kg (95% CI: 1.61-3.83) and a mean difference in BMI reduction of 1.32 kg m(-2) (95% CI: 0.78-1.85) and 2.02 kg m(-2) (95% CI: 0.94-3.10), respectively. Compared with the pharmacological treatments of sibutramine, fenfluramine or orlistat, CHM and acupuncture exhibited an RR of 1.11 (95% CI: 0.96-1.28) and 1.14 (95% CI: 1.03-1.25) in body weight reduction, mean difference in body weight reduction of 0.08 kg (95% CI: -0.58 to 0.74) and 0.65 kg (95% CI: -0.61 to 1.91), and mean difference in BMI reduction of 0.18 kg m(-2) (95% CI: -0.39 to 0.75) and 0.83 kg m(-2) (95% CI: 0.29-1.37), respectively. There were fewer reports of adverse effects and relapses of weight regain in CHM intervention studies conducted in China than studies conducted outside China. CHM and acupuncture were more effective than placebo or lifestyle modification in reducing body weight. They had a similar efficacy as the Western anti-obesity drugs but with fewer reported adverse effects. However, these conclusions were limited by small sample size and low quality of methodologies.

PMID: 22292480 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Study on method on post-marketing traditonal Chinese medicine safety assessment].

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2011 Oct;36(20):2771-5

Authors: Kou Q, Zhao S, Feng G, Xie Y

Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) safety assessment is an important content of post-marketing Chinese herbal medicine assessment and the primary question. It includes safety monitoring and safety evaluation. China has established the elementary system for the TCM safety monitoring, but did few things on safety evaluation. People have knew that the methods of pharmacoepidemiology have good practicability on drug safety assessment in recent years. This article analyzed three methods of pharmacoepidemiology used in post-marketing Chinese herbal medicine safety assessment. There are three examples that may give some suggestions to fellow doctors working for safety monitoring and evaluation of TCM.

PMID: 22292361 [PubMed - in process]

Lifestyle alterations for the amelioration of hot flashes.

Maturitas. 2012 Jan 27;

Authors: Fisher TE, Chervenak JL

Abstract
Hot flashes are a common complaint among women as they transition through menopause. This article reviews the evidence of lifestyle alterations for the amelioration of hot flashes including obesity, exercise, smoking, relaxation techniques, and acupuncture. Further randomized controlled trials regarding these lifestyle alterations are needed to determine their full potential benefits regarding hot flashes.

PMID: 22285470 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Scientific tools, fake treatments, or triggers for psychological healing: How clinical trial participants conceptualise placebos.

Soc Sci Med. 2012 Jan 18;

Authors: Bishop FL, Jacobson EE, Shaw JR, Kaptchuk TJ

Abstract
Placebos are an essential tool in randomised clinical trials, where they are used to control for bias and contextual healing effects. Placebos and their effects are also studied from multiple diverse perspectives, but the perspectives of placebo recipients are seldom considered. Research shows that people form cognitive and affective representations of active treatments such as medicines, and that they use these representations to guide their behaviour; it seems reasonable to suggest that people might also think about and develop representations of placebos. We adopted a qualitative approach to examine in detail how participants in one RCT, conducted in the USA, conceptualised placebos. 12 people were interviewed 3 times each, at the start, middle, and end of a trial of placebo effects and acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The interview data were analysed inductively and we identified four ways in which the participants conceptualised placebos: placebos are necessary for research; placebo effects are fake; placebo acupuncture is not real acupuncture; placebos have real effects mediated by psychological mechanisms. Participants' conceptualisations of placebos were dynamic and situated in a broader psychological and socio-cultural context. Seeing placebo effects as legitimate seemed to be facilitated by having more holistic models of healing, viewing IBS as psychological, and seeing treatment as multifactorial. However, some participants maintained a negative view of placebo effects (e.g. as illusions) that was apparently inconsistent with their other beliefs (e.g. in mind-body healing mechanisms). This may indicate a dominance of negative discourses around placebos at a socio-cultural level. Negative views of placebos are inconsistent with evidence that placebo treatments can have positive effects on symptoms. RCT participants should be informed about potential benefits of placebo treatments to avoid misunderstandings and unease. Future work should improve methods of providing participants with full accurate information about placebos and their effects.

PMID: 22285289 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Sham-controlled, randomised, feasibility trial of acupuncture for prevention of radiation-induced xerostomia among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Eur J Cancer. 2012 Jan 27;

Authors: Meng Z, Kay Garcia M, Hu C, Chiang J, Chambers M, Rosenthal DI, Peng H, Wu C, Zhao Q, Zhao G, Liu L, Spelman A, Lynn Palmer J, Wei Q, Cohen L

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Xerostomia (dry mouth) after head/neck radiation is a common problem among cancer patients. Quality of life (QOL) is impaired, and available treatments are of little benefit. This trial determined the feasibility of conducting a sham-controlled trial of acupuncture and whether acupuncture could prevent xerostomia among head/neck patients undergoing radiotherapy. METHODS: A sham controlled, feasibility trial was conducted at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy. To determine feasibility of a sham procedure, 23 patients were randomised to real acupuncture (N=11) or to sham acupuncture (N=12). Patients were treated three times/week during the course of radiotherapy. Subjective measures were the Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ) and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for Head and Neck Cancer (MDASI-HN). Objective measures were unstimulated whole salivary flow rates (UWSFR) and stimulated salivary flow rates (SSFR). Patients were followed for 1 month after radiotherapy. RESULTS: XQ scores for acupuncture were significantly lower than sham controls starting in week 3 and lasted through the 1-month follow-up (all P's <0.001 except for week 3, which was 0.006), with clinically significant differences as follows: week 6 - RR 0.28 [95% confidence interval, 0.10, 0.79]; week 11 - RR 0.17 [95%CI, 0.03, 1.07]. Similar findings were seen for MDASI-HN scores and MDASI-Intrusion scores. Group differences for UWSFR and SSFR were not found. CONCLUSIONS: In this small pilot study, true acupuncture given concurrently with radiotherapy significantly reduced xerostomia symptoms and improved QOL when compared with sham acupuncture. Large-scale, multi-centre, randomised and placebo-controlled trials are now needed.

PMID: 22285177 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Acute infantile diarrhea treated with infantile Tuina: a multicentre randomized controlled trial].

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2011 Dec;31(12):1116-20

Authors: Peng Y, Leng L, Chen Z, Zhang J, Wang DH, Ge YF, Wang HY

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To generalize the application of Tuina in treating infantile diseases and evaluate the validity and safety of Tuina.
METHODS: By a multicentre randomized controlled study, 240 patients were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 180) and a control group (n = 60). The observation group was treated by tonifying Pijing and clarifying Dachangjing, and Tuina on Lanmen, Qi, Fu Shangqijiegu, Guiwei and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Banmen and Sanguan were used as the supplementary point according to the syndrome differentiation. The control group was treated by oral administration of Smecta. After 5 day treatments, Chinese syndrome score and the clinical effect were evaluated.
RESULTS: After the third and fifth treatment, the Chinese syndrome score of both groups descended obviously. The decline of the observation group was superior to that of the control group (all P < 0.01). The cured rate of 75.6% (136/180) in the observation group was better than 21.7% (13/60) in the control group (P < 0.001). The clinical cured rate of 95.0% (171/180) according to Chinese syndrome score in the observation group was better than 58.3% (35/60) in the control group (P < 0.001). There was no adverse reaction in both groups.
CONCLUSION: Infantile Tuina has a better therapeutic effect in the treatment of acute infantile diarrhea than oral administration of Smecta.

PMID: 22256652 [PubMed - in process]

The Culture of Wellbeing: Jill Miller and the Great Yoga Controversy
Huffington Post (blog)
Her own background is one of modern dance, Pilates, Shiatsu and Bodywork, but also one where she admittedly felt that within her tissues "there were gaps of critical information missing from so many techniques." She studied with the newly controversial ...

Trusting my meat — and well-being — to alternative treatment: Mintz
Toronto Star
When I finally arrived at an acupuncturist's clinic, it was by cab, my body bent to nearly 90 degrees, clutching a cane. An hour later, I walked out, whistling. If it weren't for that, I would have the same healthy skepticism for acupuncture that I ...

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