Ayurveda
and Alternative Systems of Medicine
(Acupuncture,
Alternative medicine, Ayurveda, Complementary medicine,
Herbal medicine, Homeopathy, Siddha and
Traditional medicine)
Abstract
1959.
Abuharfeil NM. Maraqa A. Von Kleist S. Augmentation of natural killer cell activity
in vitro against tumor cells by wild plants from Jordan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 71(1-2):55-63, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
Thirteen aqueous extracts prepared from Jordanian plants, that are
currently used in traditional medicine to treat various types of cancer, were
tested in mice for their ability to augment natural killer (NK) cell function
in vitro in generating cytotoxicity against YAC tumor targets. Lymphoid cells
at a concentration of 5x10(6)/ml were incubated in medium alone or in medium
containing different dilutions of either plant extract or purified interferon
alpha for 20 h and tested for NK activity. Maximum NK activity (62. 3%) was
obtained at 1:50 dilution of Nigella sativum fresh aqueous extract, 48.5% at
1:100 dilution for Allium sativum (and 38.3% at 1:50 dilution for Onopordum
acanthium. Fresh aqueous plant extracts appeared to be more potent than old
dried aqueous extract or ethanolic extracts. NK augmentation by plant extracts
using nylon wool non-adherent spleen cells was slightly higher than the whole
spleen cells.
1960. No abstract.
1961.Andrade C.
Sudha S. Venkataraman BV. Herbal treatments for ECS-induced memory deficits:
a review of research and a discussion on animal models.Journal of Ect. 16(2):144-56, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
During the last decade the use of herbal medicinal substances in
the attenuation of anterograde and retrograde amnesia induced by
electroconvulsive shock (ECS) has been studied using animal research. We will
discuss the background of herbal medicine in India, review the research
findings on herbal medicines for ECS-induced amnestic deficits, and examine the
applications and limitations of animal models in this context. We will focus on
our own research and insights, with particular emphasis on practical issues.
1962.
Arai H.
Suzuki T. Sasaki H. Hanawa T.
Toriizuka K. Yamada H. [A
new interventional strategy for Alzheimer's disease by Japanese herbal. Nippon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi - Japanese
Journal of Geriatrics. 37(3):212-5, 2000 Mar.
Abstract
A Japanese herbal medicine termed "Kami-Umtan-To (KUT)"
was first described in Japanese literature in 1626, KUT consists of 13
different herbs, and it has been used for a long time in the treatment of a
variety of neuropsychiatric problems including neurosis and insomnia. Recently,
Yabe et al. have demonstrated that KUT increased both choline acetyltransferase
(ChAT) and nerve growth factor at the protein and mRNA levels in cultured rat
brain cells. Moreover, the same research group has reported that KUT improved
mean latency on passive avoidance test in both basal for brain lesioned and
aged rats. KUT significantly improved the survival rate, and increased the
number of ChAT-positive neurons in aged rats. Here, we report a 12-month open
clinical trial of KUT and combination of estrogen, vitamin E and NSAID to aim
at slowing down the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Twenty AD patients
(MMSE score:18.6 +/- 5.8) received extracts from original KUT herbs, and 7AD
patients (MMSE score: 21.3 +/- 2.8) were placed on the combination therapy.
Rate of cognitive decline as measured by change in MMSE score per year was
significantly slower (p = 0.04, ANOVA) in the KUT group (1.4 points) and the
combination group (0.4 points) as compared to 4.1 points in 32 control AD
patients (MMSE score: 20.8 +/- 5.6) who received no medicines for AD. Any of
CSF measures including tau. and A beta 1-42 did not differ significantly after
KUT therapy. The efficacy of the KUT therapy was most obvious at 3 months. Our
results suggest that traditional Japanese herbal medicine(s) may serve a new
interventional strategy for AD.
1963.
Avants SK.
Margolin A. Holford TR. Kosten TR. A randomized controlled trial of auricular
acupuncture for cocaine dependence.Archives of Internal Medicine. 160(15):2305-12, 2000 Aug 14-28.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Partly because of a lack of a conventional, effective
treatment for cocaine addiction, auricular acupuncture is used to treat this
disorder in numerous drug treatment facilities across the country for both
primary cocaine-dependent and opiate-dependent populations. OBJECTIVE: To
evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture for the treatment of
cocaine addiction. METHODS: Eighty-two cocaine-dependent, methadone-maintained
patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: auricular acupuncture, a
needle-insertion control condition, or a no-needle relaxation control.
Treatment sessions were provided 5 times weekly for 8 weeks. The primary
outcome was cocaine use assessed by 3-times-weekly urine toxicology screens.
RESULTS: Longitudinal analysis of the urine data for the intent-to-treat sample
showed that patients assigned to acupuncture were significantly more likely to
provide cocaine-negative urine samples relative to both the relaxation control
(odds ratio, 3.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-8.72; P =. 01) and the
needle-insertion control (odds ratio, 2.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-5.75;
P =.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the current study suggest that acupuncture
shows promise for the treatment of cocaine dependence. Further investigation of
this treatment modality appears to be warranted.
1964.Babichenko MA.
[Acupuncture reflexotherapy in the treatment
of hypertension patients].Likarska Sprava. (1):95-7, 2000 Jan-Feb.
Abstract
Acupuncture was used in a combination treatment of 110 patients
with stage I to III hypertensive disease (HD). As far as acupuncture points are
concerned we followed the lines laid down in the traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM), with results of Ryodoraku investigation and those of auriculodiagnosis
supplying a guide to the choice of points taking into account the type of
hemodynamics. In our experience, redundancy with the meridian of the liver,
unlike TCM notions about dominance under HD syndrome of fire and wind in the
liver, was found to be the case in 40 percent of the patients while redundancy
with meridians of the heart and pericardium was recordable in 97 and 84 percent
of the cases respectively. The use of acupuncture points in the neck collar
region and head and of antique points along the meridians of the heart and
liver were shown to be effective treatment having a beneficial effect on
cerebral circulation. Results of the clinical study suggest efficiency,
expediency, and pathogenic value of acupuncture in the treatment of HD
patients.
1965.Barzansky B. Jonas HS. Etzel SI.Educational programs in US medical schools,
1999-2000 [see comments]. JAMA.
284(9):1114-20, 2000 Sep 6.
Abstract
We used data from the 1999-2000 Liaison Committee on Medical
Education Annual Medical School Questionnaire, which had a 100% response rate,
and other sources to describe the status of medical education programs in the
United States. In 1999-2000, the number of full-time faculty members was
102,446, a 4.3% increase from 1998-1999. The number of basic science faculty
increased by less than 0.5%, while the number of clinical faculty increased by
about 5%. There were 38,529 medical school applicants in 1999, a 6% decrease
from 1998. Women constituted 45.8% and underrepresented minorities made up
12.1% of the 1999-2000 first-year class. New content, such as alternative
medicine and cultural competence, and new methods of instruction, such as computer-based
learning, are being incorporated by many schools. Seventy schools (56% of the
total) require students to pass both Step 1 and Step 2 of the US Medical
Licensing Examination for advancement or graduation, an increase from 62
schools (50%) in 1998-1999. The use of standardized methods of assessment, such
as objective structured clinical examinations, to evaluate students' clinical
performance was highly variable among schools. JAMA. 2000;284:1114-1120
1966.
Bates B.
LoRe F. Teaching complementary and alternative
medicine in residency programs [letter]. Archives of Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation. 81(9):1256-7, 2000 Sep.
1967.
Bauer BA.Herbal therapy: what a clinician needs to
know to counsel patients
effectively. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 75(8):835-41, 2000 Aug.
Abstract
The use of herbal medicine in the United States has been
increasing at a steady pace over the past decade. Most recent estimates suggest
that the US population spends $5 billion per year for herbal supplements alone.
Herbal supplements are receiving increasing exposure through national media, in
lay journals, and more recently in the scientific press. Interest in herbal
medicine has been facilitated by multiple factors, including the perception
that pharmaceutical medications are expensive, overprescribed, and often
dangerous. Alternatively, herbal medicine is often perceived as being
"natural" and is therefore considered safe. While the growth of the
herbal medicine industry in the United States can probably not continue at this
accelerated pace indefinitely, there is little indication of any major slowing.
Therefore, patients will continue to use herbal medications. Knowledge of these
preparations (including their potential benefits and risks as well as their
ability to interact with pharmaceutical medications) will enable physicians to
provide a balanced and objective view to patients seeking information on herbal
therapy. [References: 22]
1968.Beal MW.
Nield-Anderson L. Acupuncture for symptom relief in
HIV-positive adults: lessons learned from a pilot study [see comments]. Alternative Therapies in Health &
Medicine. 6(5):33-42, 2000 Sep.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Although acupuncture is used by many people with HIV
disease as a complementary treatment to Western medicine, there is a lack of
scientifically sound research on patient responses and outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To
explore the feasibility of conducting a larger study investigating the efficacy
of acupuncture on symptom distress, psychological distress, and quality of life
in HIV-infected individuals. DESIGN: This pilot study used a block
randomization, single-blinded design. SETTING: Yale University General Clinical
Research Center. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven HIV-positive participants. INTERVENTION:
Patients were grouped by CD4 cell counts and received acupuncture treatments
twice each week for 3 weeks. The experimental group received a protocol with 2
components: one tailored to the individual's symptoms and a second standardized
component treatment designed to promote health and immune function. The
control-needling group received a standardized treatment involving stimulation
of acupuncture points identified as "clinically irrelevant" in
treating the conditions under investigation (i.e., acupuncture points that have
consistently not been cited as helpful for symptoms of relevant conditions or
immune disorders). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The HIV-Symptom List was administered
to gather data on symptom distress, the Brief Symptom Inventory was used to
gather data on psychological distress, and the Functional Assessment of HIV
Infection was administered to collect data on quality of life. RESULTS:
Preliminary data from small numbers of participants showed trends toward
improvement in symptoms and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: A follow-up pilot
study will focus on the use of acupuncture to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms
in people with HIV.
1969.
Berman BM.
Hartnoll S. Bausell B. CAM evaluation comes into the mainstream:
NIH specialized Centers of research and the University of Maryland
Center for Alternative Medicine Research in Arthritis.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 8(2):119-22, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
In September of 1999 the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) announced the
funding of five Specialized Centers of
Research in complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM), bringing the
total number of centers being
supported to nine. The NIH center grant
model provides a tremendous boost
to the scientific investigation of CAM,
nurturing an emerging field
through the support of a step-wise research
program of clinical and
pre-clinical trials and developmental and
feasibility studies; the
building of infrastructure; and the training
of a new cadre of scientific
investigators in the field. This article
explains the overall objectives
of the NIH Specialized Centers program and
focuses on one of the oldest
CAM research centers in the USA, exploring
some of the challenges faced in
conducting CAM research while developing a
center, and some of the goals
and activities of the center.
1970.
Bhattacharya A. Kumar M. Ghosal S. Bhattacharya SK. Effect of bioactive tannoid principles of
Emblica officinalis on iron-induced hepatic toxicity in rats
[letter]. Phytomedicine. 7(2):173-5, 2000 Apr.
Abstract
The tannoid principles of the fruits of the
plant Emblica officinalis
Gaertn comprising of emblicanin A.
emblicanin B, punigluconin and
pedunculagin, have been reported to exhibit
antioxidant activity in vitro
and in vivo. In the present study, an
emblicanin A (37%) and B (33%)
enriched fraction of fresh juice of Emblica
fruits (EOT), administered
prophylactically (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.)
for 10 consecutive day, was
found to inhibit acute iron overload (30
mg/kg, i.p.) hepatic lipid
peroxidation and the increase of serum
levels of alanine aminotransferase,
aspartate aminotransferase and lactate
dehydrogenase, used as markers of
the induced hepatic dysfunction. A similar
effect was produced by
silymarin (20 mg/kg, p.o.), an antioxidant
hepatoprotective agent. The
results support the use of Emblica fruits
for hepatoprotection in
Ayurveda.
1971.Boon H.
Brown J. Gavin A. What are the experiences of women with
breast cancer as they decide whether to use complementary/alternative
medicine?. Western Journal of Medicine. 173(1):39, 2000 Jul.
1972.
Borchers AT. Keen CL. Stern JS. Gershwin ME.Inflammation and Native American medicine:
the role of botanicals. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 72(2):339-47, 2000 Aug.
Abstract
There is a growing interest in medicinal
botanicals as part of
complementary medicine in the United States.
In particular, both
physicians and consumers are becoming aware
of the use of herbals by
Native American societies; many botanicals
sold today as dietary
supplements in the United States were used
by Native Americans for similar
purposes. Yet, these supplements represent
only a small number of the
>2500 different plant species from
vascular taxa, and >2800 species from
all taxa, known to have been prized for
their medicinal properties by the
indigenous inhabitants of the North American
continent. We review some of
the studies of the immunomodulatory
activities of botanicals used by
native peoples of North America, the
bioactive constituents responsible
for those activities, and the mechanisms by
which these constituents might
modulate the immune system. We focus
particularly on 3 species of purple
coneflower (ECHINACEA:) because of the
widespread use of purple coneflower
in the United States to boost immunity and
prevent upper respiratory
infections. Seven of the 10 most common
botanicals sold in the United
States were used extensively by Native
Americans. However, there are very
few data to support such use and even less
information about drug toxicity
or interactions. [References: 88]
1973.No.
Abstract
1974.
Chang ZG. Kennedy DT. Holdford
DA. Small RE. Pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes toward
herbal medicine. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 34(6):710-5, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The use and sales of herbal
medications have increased
dramatically over the past several years.
Pharmacists are in an ideal
position to educate patients about herbal
medicines. This study was
intended to determine the knowledge and
attitudes of pharmacists regarding
herbal medications. METHODS: A survey was
distributed to pharmacists at
several state and regional meetings in
Virginia and North Carolina between
August and October 1998. The survey
evaluated demographic data,
attitudinal scales, and a 15-item herbal
medicine knowledge test.
Pharmacists immediately returned the surveys
to the distributor on
completion. RESULTS: Of the 217 surveys
distributed, 164 met the inclusion
criteria for further evaluation. Of the
pharmacists surveyed, 68.0%
practiced in a community pharmacy, 45.1% had
previous continuing education
on herbal medications, and 73.6% sold herbal
medications in their practice
settings. The average score on the herbal
knowledge test was 6.3 (maximum
score of 15). Pharmacists with previous
continuing education scored
significantly higher than those without
prior continuing education (p <
0.001). Of the 15 questions, the five that
pharmacists were most likely to
answer correctly assessed the uses of herbal
medications. Additionally,
pharmacists with prior continuing education
or with access to herbal
medication information at their practice
site were more likely to agree
that providing information about herbal
medication is a pharmacist's
professional responsibility (p = 0.02 and p
= 0.01, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study
demonstrate that pharmacists
were more likely to answer correctly about
the uses of herbal medications
than about drug interactions, adverse drug
effects, and precautions of
herbal medications. Additionally,
pharmacists with previous continuing
education on herbal medications were more
knowledgeable about these
products. With the increasing use of herbal
medications, there is a
greater need for pharmacy training programs
in this area.
1975.
Chen C.
Guo SM. Liu B. A randomized controlled trial of kurorinone
versus interferon-alpha2a treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis
B. Journal of Viral Hepatitis. 7(3):225-9, 2000 May.
Abstract
It has recently been shown that a Chinese
traditional medicine,
kurorinone, extracted from Sophora
Flavescens Ait, possesses antiviral
properties. We evaluated the efficacy and
safety of kurorinone treatment
in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Ninety-four patients with abnormal
alanine transaminase (ALT) levels and
hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and/or
hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA-positivity were
randomly assigned to receive
either kurorinone 400 mg daily (45 patients)
or 3 million units (MU) of
interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) (49 patients,
daily for 1 month, every other
day for 2 months) for 3 months. Patients
were followed-up for 12 months.
At baseline, both groups were comparable
regarding age, gender and
serological parameters. At the end of
treatment, complete response
(defined as ALT normalization and HBeAg
and/or HBV DNA loss) occurred in
50% of the kurorinone group and in 61.3% of
the IFN-alpha-treated group (P
> NS). At the end of the 12-month
follow-up period, a complete response
(sustained response) occurred in 26.7-36.7% of
kurorinone-treated patients
with moderate or mild liver damage and in
44.4-46.7% of IFN-alpha-treated
patients with similar liver injury. In
kurorinone- as well as in
IFN-alpha-treated patients, there was no
statistical significant
difference with respect to complete response
rates between HBeAg-positive
and hepatitis B e antibody-positive
subgroups. Kurorinone had no untoward
side-effects except for local pain at
injection sites. The results of this
trial suggest that kurorinone is able to
inhibit HBV replication and
improve disease remission in patients with
chronic hepatitis B.
1976.
Chen J.
Chen M. Zhao B. Wang Y. Effects of acupuncture on the immunological
functions in hepatitis B virus carriers. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 19(4):268-72, 1999 Dec.
Abstract
A contrast study on the effects of manual
acupuncture and
electroacupuncture was conducted in 60 cases
of chronic hepatitis B
carriers. The results demonstrated that the
immunological functions, both
cellular and humoral, were markedly
regulated as evidenced by the negative
turnover rates of HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc and
HBcAg, as well as the
positive turnover rate of anti-HBe.
1977.No
Abstract.
1978. No Abstract.
1979.
Comerci GD. Threats to chronically ill adolescents.
Challenges for physicians as we approach the next millennium. Adolescent Medicine. 9(1):179-88, vii, 1998 Feb.
Abstract
The frequency of all forms of juvenile
arthritis, including juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis, other major connective
tissue diseases, and other
rheumatic diagnoses, is estimated to be
approximately 160,000-190,000 U.S.
children under 15 years of age. The author
suggests that the
legitimization of alternative medicine and
the corporatization of U.S.
health care are undermining the quality of
care that chronically ill
adolescents receive. [References: 40]
1980.
Cucherat M.
Haugh MC. Gooch M. Boissel JP. Evidence of clinical efficacy of homeopathy.
A meta-analysis of clinical trials. HMRAG. Homeopathic Medicines
Research Advisory Group. European Journal of Clinical
Pharmacology. 56(1):27-33, 2000 Apr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To establish, using a systematic
review and meta-analysis,
whether there is any evidence from
randomised controlled clinical trials
of the efficacy of homeopathic treatment in
patients with any disease.
DATA SOURCES: Published and unpublished
reports of controlled clinical
trials available up to June 1998, identified
by searching bibliographic
databases (Medline, Embase, Biosis,
PsychInfo, Cinahl, British Library
Stock Alert Service, SIGLE, Amed),
references lists of selected papers,
hand searching homeopathic journals and
conference abstracts, and
contacting pharmaceutical companies. TRIALS
SELECTION: Trials were
selected using an unblinded process by two
reviewers. The selection
criteria were randomised, controlled trials
in which the efficacy of
homeopathic treatment was assessed relative
to placebo in patients using
clinical or surrogate endpoints. Prevention
trials or those evaluating
only biological effects were excluded. One
hundred and eighteen randomised
trials were identified and evaluated for
inclusion. Sixteen trials,
representing 17 comparisons and including a
total of 2,617 evaluated
patients, fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
DATA EXTRACTION: Data were
extracted by two reviewers independently,
using a summary form.
Disagreements were resolved by a third
person. DATA SYNTHESIS: The
evidence was synthesised by combining the
significance levels (P values)
for the primary outcomes from the individual
trials. The combined P value
for the 17 comparisons was highly
significant P = 0.000036. However,
sensitivity analysis showed that the P value
tended towards a
non-significant value (P = 0.08) as trials
were excluded in a stepwise
manner based on their level of quality.
CONCLUSIONS: There is some
evidence that homeopathic treatments are
more effective than placebo;
however, the strength of this evidence is
low because of the low
methodological quality of the trials.
Studies of high methodological
quality were more likely to be negative than
the lower quality studies.
Further high quality studies are needed to
confirm these results.
1981.
Cunningham RS. Herbert V. Nutrition as a component of alternative
therapy. Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 16(2):163-9, 2000 May.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To discuss common
"alternative" nutritional strategies that
may be used by patients as a primary or
adjunctive means of cancer
treatment. DATA SOURCES: Government reports,
textbook chapters, published
articles, and research reports. CONCLUSIONS:
The use of diet and nutrition
to prevent and treat disease is one of six
fields of alternative medicine.
A number of dietary regimens have been
purported to be effective in the
treatment of cancer. Most have been
inadequately tested with regard to
safety and efficacy. IMPLICATIONS FOR
NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses
need to be knowledgeable of the use of
alternative methods so that they
may provide accurate information to patients
considering these approaches.
1982.
Delilkan AE.Pain management and the role of pain clinics
in Malaysia--is there a place for alternative medicine in pain clinics?
[editorial].Medical Journal of Malaysia. 53(3):201, 1998 Sep.
1983. No Abstract.
1984.
Eastwood HL.Complementary therapies: the appeal to
general practitioners. Medical Journal of Australia. 173(2):95-8, 2000 Jul 17.
Abstract
Pragmatism--among consumers seeking a cure
and among general practitioners
seeking clinical results and more
patients--is not a complete explanation
for the burgeoning of complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM) in
Western societies. Instead, this growth is
substantially a result of
pervasive and rapid social change,
alternatively termed 'globalisation'
and 'postmodernisation'. Globalisation and
postmodernisation are creating
a new social reality, of which a prominent
characteristic is the
proliferation of consumer choice. GPs are
enmeshed in this social change
and subject to the trend to greater
choice--both their patients' and their
own. On the one hand, GPs are reacting to
social change as "economic
pragmatists", responding to consumers'
increasing demand for CAM. On the
other hand, GPs themselves are acting as
agents of social change by
acknowledging the limitations of orthodox
biomedical treatments and
promoting CAM as part of their service
delivery. Lack of scientific
validation of CAM has not prevented GPs' use
of such therapies. The phrase
"clinical legitimacy" can be seen
as a trump card that overrides
"scientific legitimacy". It is the
shibboleth of a postmodern movement
among GPs towards healing and the
"art" of medicine, as opposed to the
"science" of medicine per se.
[References: 23]
1985.No
Abstract.
1986.
Fava GA.
Sonino N. Psychosomatic medicine: emerging trends and
perspectives [see comments]. Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics. 69(4):184-97, 2000 Jul-Aug.
Abstract
Developments have occurred in all aspects of
psychosomatic medicine. Among
factors affecting individual vulnerability
to all types of disease, the
following have been highlighted by recent
research: recent and early life
events, chronic stress and allostatic load,
personality, psychological
well-being, health attitudes and behavior.
As to the interaction between
psychological and biological factors in the
course and outcome of disease,
the presence of psychiatric (DSM-IV) as well
as subclinical (Diagnostic
Criteria for Psychosomatic Research)
symptoms, illness behavior and the
impact on quality of life all need to be
assessed. The prevention,
treatment and rehabilitation of physical
illness include the consideration
for psychosomatic prevention, the treatment
of psychiatric morbidity and
abnormal illness behavior and the use of
psychotropic drugs in the
medically ill. In the past 60 years,
psychosomatic medicine has addressed
some fundamental questions, contributing to
the growth of other related
disciplines, such as
psychoneuroendocrinology, psychoimmunology,
consultation-liaison psychiatry, behavioral
medicine, health psychology
and quality of life research. Psychosomatic
medicine may also provide a
comprehensive frame of reference for several
current issues of clinical
medicine (the phenomenon of somatization,
the increasing occurrence of
mysterious symptoms, the demand for
well-being and quality of life),
including its new dialogue with mind-body
and alternative medicine.
Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.
[References: 186]
1987. No Abstract.
1988.
Fries CJ.
Menzies KS. Gullible fools or desperate pragmatists? A
profile of people who use rejected alternative health care providers. Canadian Journal of Public Health. Revue
Canadienne de Sante Publique. 91(3):217-9, 2000 May-Jun.
Abstract
Much research on alternative medicine seeks
to discover why people use
practices which orthodox medicine rejects as
ineffective: rejected
alternative medicine. However, to obtain a
sample large enough for
statistical analysis, many studies include
as alternative health care,
practices such as chiropractic or
acupuncture which most doctors accept as
effective for limited purposes: accepted
alternative medicine. The 1994-95
National Population Health Survey shows
Canadians who consult rejected
alternative health care providers compared
with those who consult accepted
health care providers have similar incomes,
more education, slightly fewer
chronic diseases and slightly more good
health habits. For both groups,
alternative health care supplements orthodox
health care rather than being
an alternative to it. Two major differences
emerge: women outnumber men
more than two to one as opposed to being
only a slight majority, and usage
peaks in Quebec, not Western Canada.
1989.
Fukutake M.
Miura N. Yamamoto M. Fukuda K.
Iijima O. Ishikawa H. Kubo M.
Okada M. Komatsu Y. Sasaki H.
Wakabayashi K. Ishige A. Amagaya S. Suppressive effect of the herbal medicine
Oren-gedoku-to on cyclooxygenase-2 activity and
azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci development in rats. Cancer Letters. 157(1):9-14, 2000 Aug 31.
Abstract
The present study is part of a program to
obtain effective chemopreventive
agents with low toxicity from medicinal
herbs and traditional herbal
medicines. We previously reported that Oren
(Coptidis rhizoma) and Ogon
(Scutellariae radix) inhibit azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant
crypt
foci (ACF) formation. In the present
investigation, we found Sanshishi
(Gardeniae fructus) and the traditional
herbal medicine Oren-gedoku-to
(OGT), composed of Ogon, Oren, Sanshishi and
Obaku, also have preventive
potential. Sanshishi and OGT decreased the
numbers of ACF to 25.2 and
59.4% of the control value at 2% in the
diet, respectively. Adverse
effects, evidenced by body weight loss, were
weaker with OGT than
component herbs. To investigate their
mechanisms of action, the influence
on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and
cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activities was
studied. Both OGT and Sanshishi inhibited
COX-2 but not COX-1, this
presumably contributing to their suppressive
effects on ACF development.
The results suggest that OGT may be useful
for colon cancer
chemoprevention in terms of efficacy and
toxicity.
1990.
Furnham A. How the public classify complementary
medicine: a factor analytic study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 8(2):82-7, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To see how lay people group or
classify various CAM therapies.
DESIGN: Nearly 600 adults rated 39
relatively familiar branches of
complementary medicine on four dimensions:
whether they had heard of it,
whether they think they know how it works;
whether they had tried it; and
a rating of efficacy on a 10-point scale.
RESULTS: As predicted those most
heard of were acupuncture, aromatherapy,
herbal medicine, hypnosis,
massage and yoga while those with lowest
ratings were autogenic training,
ayurveda, biochemic tissue salts, chelation
cell therapy and ozone
therapy. A number of multivariate
statistical techniques were used to
attempt to investigate the perceived
dimensional structure of the
different therapies. Slightly different
structures emerged depending on
the question asked and the analysis
computed. CONCLUSION: The 'bottom-up'
empirically derived taxonomization of
therapies was interpretable and
showed 10 different factors. The issue of
classifying or taxonomizing
complementary medicines is discussed.
1991.
Garcia-Campayo J. Sanz-Carrillo C.The use of alternative medicines by
somatoform disorder patients in Spain. British Journal of General Practice. 50(455):487-8, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
Somatisation disorder patients show a high
rate of alternative medicine consultations but most of them do not
disclose this fact to the doctor owing to fear of reprisals. The reasons
given for using these medicines do not equate to sociodemographic
characteristics, psychiatric diagnosis or personality traits but instead to
dissatisfaction with medical care and with diagnosis. These patients appreciate
the longer and more frequent consultations as well as the better
doctor-patient relationship of alternative medicines.
1992. NO. Abstract.
1993.
Gellman H.Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: alternative
modalities for pain management.Instructional Course Lectures. 49:549-57, 2000.
Abstract
For the patient presenting with early
symptoms (< 6 months) I usually
start treatment with a dose pack of
methylprednisolone, analgesics, and
daily occupational/physical therapy for 2
weeks (Fig. 2). If they do not
respond within the first week, I add
stellate ganglion blocks and
acupuncture to the treatment regimen. For
patients presenting with
established chronic pain, I immediately
start them on a dose pack of
methylprednisolone for 1 to 2 weeks, a
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory such
as indomethacin, 50 mg 3 times a day for 10
days and then switch to 75 mg
twice daily until there is a response.
Amitriptyline is helpful for sleep
and depression and also has a beneficial
effect on blood flow. Calcium
channel blockers (nifedipine) may help
improve peripheral circulation by
its effect on vascular smooth muscle. In
this patient group, I almost
always start stellate ganglion blocks on the
first visit. I have the
patient try at least 2 blocks before
deciding whether or not blocks are
helpful. Many patients will not respond to
the first block, but will start
to respond after the second block. If the
blocks are helping, I recommend
3 blocks a week, every other day for 3
weeks. Patients get the most
benefit from their blocks if they have
occupational or physical therapy
immediately following the block. Surgical
sympathectomy may be helpful but
only in patients who have responded to
sympathetic blockade.
1994.
Geng J.Treatment of 50 cases of senile dementia by
acupuncture combined with
inhalation of herbal drugs and oxygen.Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 19(4):287-9, 1999 Dec.NO.
Abstract.
1995.Gilani AH.
Aziz N. Khan MA. Shaheen F.
Jabeen Q. Siddiqui BS. Herzig JW. Ethnopharmacological evaluation of the anticonvulsant,
sedative and antispasmodic activities of Lavandula
stoechas L.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 71(1-2):161-7, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
Lavandula stoechas L. (Lamiaceae) has been
used for a long time in
traditional medicine as an anticonvulsant
and antispasmodic. The
aqueous-methanolic extract of L. stoechas
flowers (LS) was studied for its
possible anticonvulsant and antispasmodic
activities. When tested in mice,
LS (600 mg/kg) significantly reduced the
severity and increased the
latency of convulsions induced by pentylene
tetrazole (PTZ). LS likewise
reduced PTZ's lethality. LS up to a dose of
600 mg/kg was found devoid of
any hypnotic effect in mice, however,
animals were found to be dull, calm
and relaxed. The sedative effect of the
plant extract was confirmed, as it
prolonged the pentobarbital sleeping time in
mice similar to that of
diazepam. In isolated rabbit jejunum
preparations, LS caused a
dose-dependent (0.1-1.0 mg/ml) relaxation of
spontaneous contractions. LS
also inhibited K(+)-induced contractions in
a similar dose range, thereby
suggesting calcium channel blockade. This
effect was confirmed when
pretreatment of the jejunum preparation with
LS produced a dose-dependent
shift of the Ca(2+) dose-response curve to
the right, similar to the
effect of verapamil, a standard calcium
channel blocker. These data
indicate that the plant extract exhibits
anticonvulsant and antispasmodic
activities. Its calcium channel blocking
property may be mechanistically
related to these activities. Its usefulness
in folk medicine appears thus
to be based on a sound mechanistic
background.
1996.
Gotay CC.
Dumitriu D. Health food store recommendations for breast
cancer patients. Archives of Family Medicine. 9(8):692-9, 2000 Aug.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Despite cancer patients' widespread
and growing use of
complementary and alternative medicine,
minimal attention has been paid to
the role of health food stores in the
"supply side" of this phenomenon.
OBJECTIVE: To gain a better understanding of
health food store personnel's
recommendations for breast cancer patient
care. DESIGN: Researcher posing
as the daughter of a breast cancer patient
and surveying health food store
personnel on their product recommendations
for cancer care. SETTING: Oahu,
Hawaii, summer 1998. PARTICIPANTS: All
health food stores (N = 40)
offering products for cancer patients. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: Recommended
products and services, proposed mechanism of
action, and costs. RESULTS:
Store personnel readily provided information
and product recommendations,
with shark cartilage being the most
frequent. Suggested mechanisms of
action drew on traditional healing,
scientific, and pseudoscientific
rationales. Costs for recommended dosages
varied multifold across stores
and brands. CONCLUSIONS: Retailers supplying
supplements can play an
important role in the network of
"authorities" for patients with breast
and other cancers, as they readily provide
advice and recommend products.
The reasons why patients seek health food
store remedies are useful in
developing approaches to patient education.
Physicians and other providers
are in a key position to assist cancer
patients in making informed choices
when considering health store products.
[References: 33]
1997. Hajhashemi V. Sadraei H. Ghannadi
AR. Mohseni M. Antispasmodic and anti-diarrhoeal effect of
Satureja hortensis L. essential oil. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 71(1-2):187-92, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
Satureja hortensis L. (Lamiaceae) is an
annual herb that is used in the
traditional medicine of Iran for treating
stomach and intestinal
disorders. The antispasmodic activity of S.
hortensis essential oil (SHEO)
was assessed on contractions of isolated
ileum, induced by KCl and
acetylcholine, and compared with the effect
of atropine and dicyclomine.
SHEO inhibited the response to 80 mM KCl in
a concentration-dependent
manner (pD(2)=1.55+/-0.09 microg/ml; this is
negative log concentration of
SHEO causing 50% of maximum inhibition) and
attenuating the maximum
inducible response of acetylcholine
concentration-response curve. Effect
of SHEO on KCl was similar to that of
dicyclomine. Dicyclomine (3.46 and
34.6 ng/ml) also reduced the response to
acetylcholine on rat isolated
ileum without altering the maximum response
and shifted the acetylcholine
concentration-response curve to the right by
16-fold at 34.6 ng/ml (100
nM) bath concentration, while atropine only
inhibited the response to
acetylcholine. This study shows that SHEO is
a relaxant of rat isolated
ileum. In addition to antispasmodic activity
in vitro, essential oil of
this plant at a dose of 0.1 ml/100 g inhibited
castor oil induced
diarrhoea in mice. As the inhibition of
contractile overactivity of the
ileum is the base of the treatment of some
gastrointestinal disorders such
as colic, SHEO may have clinical benefits
for treatment of these
conditions.
1998.
Harris P.
Rees R. The prevalence of complementary and
alternative medicine use among the general population: a systematic review of
the literature. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 8(2):88-96, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of
published research investigating the prevalence of
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in the general population. DESIGN:
A protocol was developed for a systematic review of survey literature
identified using two bibliographic databases and citation
tracking. The protocol specified criteria for: 1) database searches; 2)
selection of studies for review; and 3) description of methodological and
substantive aspects of the studies. RESULTS: Twelve studies were
reviewed. These estimated the prevalence of CAM use in Australia, Canada,
Finland, Israel, the UK, and the USA. The most rigorous studies,
conducted in Australia and the USA, showed that a high proportion of the
population was using CAM. There was evidence from the USA that CAM use increased
significantly among the general population during the 1990s.
CONCLUSION: CAM is used by substantial proportions of the general
population of a number of countries, but differences in study design
and methodological limitations make it difficult to compare prevalence
estimates both within and between countries.
1999.
Henderson L.The knowledge and use of alternative
therapeutic techniques by social work practitioners: a descriptive study. Social Work in Health Care. 30(3):55-71, 2000.
Abstract
A survey of use of alternative therapeutic
methods was distributed to
1,000 clinical/direct service social work
practitioners; a sample of 321
reported on their use of alternative
techniques. Approximately
three-quarters of the respondcnts used or
referred mind-body techniques or
community health alternatives. These two
techniques accounted for about
two-thirds of all alternative practices.
Manual healing was used or
referred by about one-third of all
practitioners and professionalized
alternative medicine was used by about 30%.
Other methods, including
botanical, pharmacological, and biological
alternatives, diet and
nutrition, and parapsychology were each used
by fewer than 10% of the
respondents. Social workers were most
knowledgeable about mind-body
techniques and community-based alternatives.
2000.
Hu J. Acupuncture treatment of
dysmenorrhea. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 19(4):313-6, 1999 Dec.
2001.NO.
Abstract.
2002.
Kamuhabwa A. Nshimo C. de Witte P. Cytotoxicity of some medicinal plant
extracts used in Tanzanian traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 70(2):143-9, 2000 May.
Abstract
Using the ethnomedical data approach, some
Tanzanian plants that are used
in Tanzanian traditional medicine for cancer
or non-cancer diseases were
collected and evaluated for cytotoxic
activity. The antiproliferative
effect of the methanolic extracts (10 and
100 microg/ml) of 47 plants was
evaluated in vitro on three human cell lines
(HeLa, cervical carcinoma;
HT29, colon adenocarcinoma; and A431, skin
carcinoma). From the nine
plants that are used to treat cancer, two
plants (22%) exhibited
pronounced cytotoxic effect (<25% cell
proliferation) at least in one of
the tested cell lines. For the 38 plants
that are used to treat non-cancer
diseases, 14 plants (37%) exhibited
pronounced cytotoxic effect (<25% cell
proliferation). Cell type cytotoxic
specificity was observed in some
extracts. Overall, the A431 cells were much
more sensitive to most of the
extracts than the other cell lines. For the
plants that are used as
anticancer herbal drugs, our results
indicate that there is no correlation
between the reported use of these plants and
their cytotoxic activity
obtained in this study. However, plants that
have shown pronounced
cytotoxic activity will be evaluated further
for the possible isolation of
active antitumor compounds.
2003.Kang TH.
Jeong SJ. Kim NY. Higuchi R.
Kim YC. Sedative activity of two flavonol glycosides
isolated from the flowers of Albizzia julibrissin Durazz. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology. 71(1-2):321-3, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
The flowers of Albizzia julibrissin are used
as a sedative in oriental
traditional medicine. The phytochemical
study of this plant allowed the
isolation of two flavonol glycosides,
quercitrin (1) and isoquercitrin
(2). The sedative activity of these
compounds was evaluated, and both
compounds 1 and 2 increased
pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in
dose-dependent manner in mice. These results
support the use of the
flowers of this plant as a sedative agent.
2004.
NO. Abstract.
2005.
Khrennikov A. Classical and quantum dynamics on p-adic
trees of ideas.
Source
Biosystems.
56(2-3):95-120, 2000 Apr-May.
Abstract
We propose mathematical models of
information processes of unconscious and
conscious thinking (based on p-adic number
representation of mental
spaces). Unconscious thinking is described
by classical cognitive
mechanics (which generalizes Newton's
mechanics). Conscious thinking is
described by quantum cognitive mechanics
(which generalizes the pilot wave
model of quantum mechanics). The information
state and motivation of a
conscious cognitive system evolve under the
action of classical
information forces and a new quantum
information force, namely, conscious
force. Our model might provide mathematical
foundations for some cognitive
and psychological phenomena: collective
conscious behavior, connection
between physiological and mental processes
in a biological organism,
Freud's psychoanalysis, hypnotism,
homeopathy. It may be used as the basis
of a model of conscious evolution of life.
2006.
Kim SY.
Kang SK. Lee DG. Park YG.
Lee YC. Chung JC. Kim CH. Effect of Jindangwon on streptozotocin-induced
diabetes. Life Sciences. 67(11):1251-63, 2000 Aug 4.
Abstract
The inhibitory effects of the traditional
herbal medicine Jindangwon (JDW)
on streptozotocin (ST)-induced diabetic
mellitus were studied using the
ST-treated diabetic model. Glucokinase
activity of pancreatic islets was
severely impaired by ST treatment. However,
when ST-treated islets were
treated with 1 mg/ml of JDW, the enzyme
activities of glucokinase and
hexokinase were protected,
glucose-6-phosphatase was not. When the effects
of JDW on ST-induced ATP/ADP ratio of islets
were assayed, JDW was
effective in restoring of ATP/ADP ratio. In
addition, ST decreased the
enzyme activities of PDH, while JDW had a
protective effect on the enzyme.
ST-induced cGMP accumulation was
significantly inhibited by JDW treatment.
Furthermore, ST-induced nitrite formation
was significantly inhibited by
JDW treatment. JDW also showed the
suppressed nitrite production in
ST-treated pancreatic islet cells. When the
islets (200/condition) were
treated with ST (5 mM for 30 min), and then
JDW was added to the
ST-treated cells, 1.0 mg/ml of JDW showed
the activated and recovered
aconitase activity in pancreatic islet
cells. When the effect of ST on the
gene expression of pancreatic GLUT2 and
glucokinase were examined, the
level of GLUT2 and glucokinase mRNA in
pancreatic islets was significantly
decreased. However, JDW protected and
improved the expression of protein
and genes, indicating that JDW is effective
on ST-induced inhibition of
gene expression of GLUT2, glucokinase and
proinsulin in islets. These
results suggested that JDW is effective in
this model to treat ST-induced
diabetes.
2007.
Li Y.
Peng C. Treatment of 86 cases of facial spasm by
acupuncture and pressure on otopoints. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 20(1):33-5, 2000 Mar.
Abstract
The combined method of acupuncture with
pressure on otopoints (the
combination group) was used to treat 86 patients
with facial spasm; and
simple acupuncture and simple pressure on
otopoints were respectively
applied in the other two groups of patients
as controls. The total
effective rates of the combination group,
the acupuncture group and the
pressure on otopoints group were 95.4%,
92.1% and 62.5% respectively; and
the cure rates were 38.4%, 15.8% and 5%
respectively. The differences in
results of the three groups show
statistically marked significance,
indicating that the therapeutic effectiveness
of the combined method of
acupuncture with pressure on otopoints is
better than the other two
therapeutic methods.
2008. NO. Abstract.
2009.
Liu EH.
Turner LM. Lin SX. Klaus L.
Choi LY. Whitworth J. Ting W. Oz MC.
Use of alternative medicine by patients
undergoing cardiac surgery. Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular
Surgery. 120(2):335-41, 2000 Aug.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Complementary and alternative
medicine may influence cardiac
surgical care by inducing coagulopathies and
interacting with
perioperative medications. We evaluated the
significance of complementary
and alternative medicine use in an acutely
ill cardiac surgical population
and assessed the willingness of patients to
reveal these activities to
their physicians and surgeons. METHODS: A
total of 376 consecutive
patients undergoing preoperative or
postoperative cardiothoracic surgical
evaluations at an urban academic medical
center were approached to
complete a survey regarding use and
attitudes toward complementary and
alternative medicine. All surveys were
administered and collected between
March and May 1998. RESULTS: Completion rate
was 70% (n = 263).
Respondents were predominantly male (72%),
white (76%), and well educated
(59%). The overall rate of complementary and
alternative medicine use was
75%, but excluding prayer and vitamins,
which are often not considered
complementary and alternative medicine
therapies, the rate was 44%. There
was no correlation between the use of
complementary and alternative
medicine and the parameters of gender, age,
race, or education level. Only
17% responded that they had discussed
complementary and alternative
medicine with their physicians, and 48%
responded that they did not want
to discuss the topic at all. CONCLUSIONS:
Complementary and alternative
medicine is used as frequently in patients
undergoing cardiac surgery, as
in the general population. Physicians and
surgeons should be aware that
patients have no inherent predisposition
toward or against using
complementary and alternative medicine, but
that they are unlikely to
volunteer their experience with it. The
unwillingness of patients to
discuss complementary and alternative
medicine with physicians has serious
implications for their safety, especially in
acute care situations.
2010.NO. Abstract.
2011. Liu SY.
Woo SO. Holmes MJ. Koh HL. LC and LC-MS-MS analyses of undeclared
codeine in antiasthmatic Chinese proprietary medicine. Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biomedical
Analysis. 22(3):481-6, 2000 Apr.
Abstract
This paper describes an accurate and
sensitive reversed phase
high-performance liquid chromatographic
(RP-HPLC) method for the detection
and quantification of undeclared codeine in
a Chinese Proprietary Medicine
(CPM) for asthma. A rapid and specific
liquid chromatography-mass
spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS)
method was applied to confirm
the presence of codeine by selected reaction
monitoring (SRM). Codeine was
extracted from the capsules by dissolving in
sodium dihydrogen phosphate
buffer (10 mM, pH = 2.2) and ethanol, then
made alkaline (pH = 9) and
extracted using chloroform. The amount of
codeine in AsthmaWan was found
to be 61.8 microg/capsule (R.S.D. = 7.9%, n
= 9). Excellent resolution was
obtained despite the complexity of the
product which claimed to contain at
least nine herbal ingredients, none of which
will give rise to codeine. As
a further confirmation method, LC-MS-MS is
accurate and specific. The LC
method has been validated for linearity,
limit of detection, limit of
quantification, accuracy and specificity.
Greater awareness of and control
over undeclared drugs in complementary
medicine are necessary to ensure
patients' safety.
2012.
Logani S.
Chen MC. Tran T. Le T.
Raffa RB. Actions of Ginkgo Biloba related to
potential utility for the treatment of conditions involving cerebral hypoxia. Life Sciences. 67(12):1389-96, 2000 Aug 11.
Abstract
Neuronal hypoxia results from a variety of
cerebrovascular accidents or
'normal' age-associated anatomic changes.
The consequences vary from mild
deficits in neurologic function to massive
neuropathology. Present
pharmacotherapeutic therapy is not ideal.
Two apparently disparate
approaches to the search for better
treatment or prevention-one involving
reassessment of herbal remedies as
'alternative' medicine and the other
one involving the desirability of increased
structural diversity in HTS
(high-throughput screening) libraries and as
combinatorial chemistry
templates-have converged in a rekindling of
interest and a reevaluation of
the pharmacologic properties of substances
such as extract from the leaves
of Ginkgo biloba Linne (form. Salisburia
adiantifolia Sm.). There are
reports of positive results from a small
number of controlled clinical
trials (albeit with small numbers of
patients) sufficient to suggest that
'Ginkgo' might have therapeutic benefit in
some situations or subset of
patients. The pharmacologic mechanism by
which Ginkgo might be able to
provide the observed effect is not clear.
However, it is believed that the
flavonoid and terpenoid components of Ginkgo
extract might produce
beneficial therapeutic effects through
mechanisms acting separately or in
concert, such as the antagonism of PAF
(platelet activating factor),
antioxidant and metabolic actions, and
effects on neurotransmitters. These
mechanisms are reviewed in this article.
2013. Malik IA.
Khan NA. Khan W. Use of unconventional methods of therapy by
cancer patients in Pakistan. European Journal of Epidemiology. 16(2):155-60, 2000 Feb.
Abstract
Most of the studies related to the use of
unconventional methods of
therapy by cancer patients have been carried
out in the developed
countries. This study was conducted to
ascertain the frequency, type, and
duration of use of unconventional methods of
therapy by cancer patients in
Pakistan. We also wanted to identify
individuals who are most likely to
use these methods and to compare the
findings with those reported from the
developed countries. Between 1 April and 30
May 1994, all patients with
histologically proven cancer who visited the
oncology unit were
interviewed. A printed questionnaire with
questions and options was used
as an interview guide. Informed consent was
obtained. One hundred and
ninety-one patients were interviewed, on
average, for 25 minutes each. Use
of unconventional methods of therapy by
cancer patients was widespread
(54.5% of all patients). The majority
(83.7%) were influenced by family
members to use these methods. Traditional
herbal medicines (70.2%) and
homeopathy (64.4%) were the most commonly
employed methods. Thirty-six
percent of the users employed these methods
before receiving any
conventional therapy. Only 15% used these
methods after conventional
therapeutic options had been exhausted.
Patients generally perceived these
methods as useful, non-toxic and
inexpensive. Age, marital status,
socio-economic background, education level
and status of underlying
neoplasm did not influence the frequency of
use of unconventional methods.
The use, however, was influenced by gender,
family size, and type of
underlying malignancy. Patients aware of
their diagnosis were less likely
to use these methods. This study suggests
that use of unconventional
methods by cancer patients in Pakistan is
widespread. Unlike western
countries, these methods are often employed
before receiving any
conventional therapy. This probably results
in a significant delay which
can be expected to adversely influence the
subsequent disease management
and survival. Public education, reduction of
cost and easy availability of
conventional therapy may be helpful in
reducing the use of methods which
otherwise may have no proven value.
2014.
Miller MJ.
MacNaughton WK. Zhang XJ. Thompson JH. Charbonnet RM. Bobrowski P. Lao J. Trentacosti
AM. Sandoval M. Treatment of gastric ulcers and diarrhea
with the Amazonian herbal medicine sangre de grado. American Journal of Physiology -
Gastrointestinal & Liver Physiology. 279(1):G192-200, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
Sangre de grado is an Amazonian herbal
medicine used to facilitate the
healing of gastric ulcers and to treat
gastritis, diarrhea, skin lesions,
and insect stings. This study was designed
to evaluate the
gastrointestinal applications. Gastric
ulcers were induced in rats by
brief serosal exposure of the fundus to
acetic acid (80%). Sangre de grado
was administered in drinking water at
1:1,000 and 1:10,000 dilutions from
the postoperative period to day 7. Guinea
pig ileum secretory responses to
capsaicin, electrical field stimulation, and
the neurokinin-1 (NK-1)
agonist [Sar(9),Met(O(2))(11)]substance P
were examined in Ussing
chambers. Sangre de grado facilitated the
healing of experimental gastric
ulcer, reducing myeloperoxidase activity,
ulcer size, and bacterial
content of the ulcer. The expression of
proinflammatory genes tumor
necrosis factor-alpha, inducible nitric
oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin
(IL)-1beta, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 was
upregulated by ulcer induction
but reduced by sangre de grado treatment,
particularly iNOS and IL-6. In
Ussing chambers, sangre de grado impaired
the secretory response to
capsaicin but not to electrical field
stimulation or the NK-1 agonist. We
conclude that sangre de grado is a potent,
cost-effective treatment for
gastrointestinal ulcers and distress via
antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,
and sensory afferent-dependent actions.
2015.
Montfort H. A new homeopathic approach to neoplastic
diseases: from cell destruction to carcinogen-induced apoptosis [see
comments]. British Homoeopathic Journal. 89(2):78-83, 2000 Apr.
Abstract
Neoplastic diseases are now among the most
commonly seen conditions.
Orthodox, non-surgical approaches, including
chemotherapy and
radiotherapy, have variable results, but
many adverse affects that limit
their use. These are sometimes the direct
cause of death. More patients
are choosing alternative treatments, mainly
the homeopathic and
herbal-nutrition approach. Homeopathy does
not have highly effective
remedies for cancer in its literature, and
has been limited to palliating
the adverse effects of chemo/radiotherapy.
Research into substances that
can produce neoplastic diseases
(carcinogens), may lead to them being used
to treat the cancer they cause, according to
the principle of similarity.
I have used ultra-low doses (1 x 10(-10) to
10(-12) molar) of chemical
carcinogens for 3-24 months, which have been
given to cancer patients,
usually in conjunction with conventional
treatment. Using this procedure,
complete remission or life extension has
been achieved for some cancer
cases. Three clinical cases are presented: a
man with undifferentiated
lung cancer; a child with an astrocytoma and
a woman with leiomyosarcoma.
[References: 43]
2016.
Motoo Y.
Su SB. Xie MJ. Taga H.
Sawabu N. Effect of herbal medicine Saiko-keishi-to
(TJ-10) on rat spontaneous chronic pancreatitis: comparison with other
herbal medicines. International Journal of Pancreatology. 27(2):123-9, 2000 Apr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In an attempt to obtain evidence
of the beneficial effects of
TJ-10, we investigated the gene expression
of PAP, an acute phase protein
specific for pancreatitis in rat spontaneous
chronic pancreatitis.
METHODS: Four-wk-old male WBN/Kob rats were
fed with MB-3 pellet diet
containing herbal medicine. There were two
administration groups for each
drug: the prophylactic group administered
from 4-12 wk, and the
therapeutic group administered from 12-20
wk. Untreated control rats were
fed with MB-3 alone. Histopathologic changes
and PAP gene expressions were
analyzed at 12 and 20 wk. RESULTS: In the
prophylactic group,
TJ-10-treated WBN/Kob rats showed no
evidence of pancreatitis, and there
was the amelioration of pancreatitis in the
pancreata of the rats treated
with other herbal medicines except TJ-24 at
12 wk. PAP mRNA was not
expressed in the TJ-10-treated rats, and PAP
gene expression was
suppressed in rats treated with other drugs
except TJ-107. In the
therapeutic group, the amelioration of
pancreatitis was seen only in
TJ-10-treated rats, but PAP gene expression
was significantly suppressed
in the rats treated with all herbal
medicines tested, compared with that
in untreated control rats. CONCLUSION: An
herbal medicine Saiko-keishi-to
(TJ-10) delayed the onset of chronic
pancreatitis in the WBN/Kob rat, and
suppressed the pancreatitis-associated
protein (PAP) gene expression more
significantly than other herbal medicines.
2017.
Nagashayana N. Sankarankutty P.
Nampoothiri MR. Mohan PK. Mohanakumar
KP. Association of L-DOPA with recovery
following Ayurveda medication in
Parkinson's disease. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 176(2):124-7, 2000 Jun 15.
Abstract
Ayurveda, the Indian system of traditional
medicine, uses a concoction of
several spices, herbs and minerals for the
treatment of diseases. In a
clinical prospective study we have evaluated
the efficacy of Ayurveda
treatment (a concoction in cow's milk of
powdered Mucuna pruriens and
Hyoscyamus reticulatus seeds and Withania
somnifera and Sida cordifolia
roots) in 18 clinically diagnosed (with a
mean Hoen and Yahr value of
2.22) parkinsonian patients. As per Ayurveda
principles, 13 patients
underwent both cleansing (for 28 days) and
palliative therapy (56 days), 5
patients underwent palliative therapy alone
(84 days). Only the former
group showed significant improvement in
activities of daily living (ADL)
and on motor examination as per UPDRS
rating. Symptomatically, they
exhibited better response in tremor,
bradykinesia, stiffness and cramps as
compared to the latter group. Excessive salivation
worsened in both the
groups. Analyses of powdered samples in
milk, as administered in patients,
revealed about 200 mg of L-DOPA per dose.
The study establishes the
necessity of cleansing therapy in Ayurveda
medication prior to palliative
therapy. It also reveals contribution of
L-DOPA in the recovery as
observed in Parkinson' disease following
Ayurveda medication.
2018.
Nasir L. Reconnoitering the antivaccination web
sites: news from the front. Journal of Family Practice. 49(8):731-3, 2000 Aug.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the United States, Western
Europe and other areas, groups
opposing universal childhood immunization
are reported to be gaining
political momentum. METHODS: A review was
done of Internet sites opposing
childhood immunization, with the goal of
describing the philosophies and
strategies used by the groups presenting
them. A random sample of
antivaccination Web sites was obtained using
standard Internet search
engines and the search terms "vaccination"
and "immunization." These sites
were analyzed for content, common themes,
philosophy, affiliation with
groups or organizations, and suggested
strategies for avoiding
vaccination. RESULTS: Twenty-six of the 51
sites found were randomly
selected for review. Fifteen of these were
associated with groups
promoting the use of alternative medicine
for preventing or treating
infectious disease. Groups concerned with
civil liberties were also
represented, as were conspiracy theorists.
CONCLUSIONS: Many groups have
an interest in opposing universal childhood
immunization, and some of them
have a prominent presence on the Internet.
Physicians and parents should
be aware of the existence of these groups
and their philosophies. Further
research and educational efforts to counter
their effects is necessary.
2019.
Nilsson R. Endocrine modulators in the food chain and
environment. Toxicologic Pathology. 28(3):420-31, 2000 May-Jun.
Abstract
Recently, considerable attention has been
focused on certain environmental
contaminants--"endocrine
disruptors"--of industrial origin that may mimic
the action of sex hormones. Natural
compounds and their effects on other
types of hormonal activity (eg, on adrenal
or thyroid function) have for
some reason not provoked similar attention.
As exemplified by tributyltin
and certain bioaccumulating chlorinated
compounds, available evidence
indicates that "endocrine
disruption" caused by xenobiotics is primarily
an ecotoxicologic problem. In mammals,
certain phenylmethyl-substituted
siloxanes have been found to be by far the
most potent endocrine
disrupters among various synthetic
xenobiotics. On the other hand, it has
not been possible to scientifically
substantiate either certain alarming
reports of powerful synergistic effects
between chlorinated pesticides or
the alleged adverse effects on the male
reproductive tract in rodents
(induced by alkylphenols and plasticizers at
extremely low exposures).
Whereas there is compelling evidence that
estrogens in certain foods and
herbal medicines can induce hormonal changes
in women as well as overt
toxicity in men, existing data are
insufficient to support a causal
relationship between exposure of the general
human population to
nonpharmaceutical industrial chemicals and
adverse effects operating via
the endocrine system. Moreover, in terms of
magnitude and extent, all such
exposures to so-called endocrine disruptors
are dwarfed by the extensive
use of oral contraceptives and estrogens for
treatment of menopausal and
postmenopausal disorders. Also, the exposure
to hormonally active
xenobiotics is virtually insignificant when
compared with the intake of
the phytoestrogens that are present in food
and beverages, and it is even
more insignificant when compared with
certain herbal potions used in
"alternative medicine."
Furthermore, while there has been much concern
about negligible exposures to xenobiotics
with weak hormonelike
activities, the potent endocrine disruptor
licorice is freely given to
children. Long-term exposure to this
substance induces severe toxic
symptoms of mineral corticoid hormone
imbalance. Although exposures to
xenobiotics and many natural compounds occur
by identical routes of
administration and may contribute to the
same toxicological end point,
they are, regrettably, judged by completely
different standards. As is the
case with all other chemicals, rational risk
assessment and risk
management of man-made and natural endocrine
modulators must be based on
the mode of action and dose-response
relationships. Such end points as the
induction of reproductive developmental
effects, cancer, etc, relating to
actual exposures must also be taken into
consideration. [References: 77]
2020.
Patil S.
Kanase A. Kulkarni PH. Antianaemic properties of ayurvedic drugs,
raktavardhak, punarnavasav and navayas louh in albino rats during
phenylhydrazine induced haemolytic anaemia.Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. 38(3):253-7, 2000 Mar.
Abstract
Single injection of phenylhydrazine[PH]
reduced the number of RBC and
haemoglobin content; decreased myeloid;
erythroid cell ratio in bone
marrow and increased Cathepsin D activity in
spleen of rats. Ayurvedic
drugs raktavardhak, punarnavasav and navayas
louh recovered the number of
RBC and haemoglobin content and raised
myeloid: erythroid cell ratio and
normalised cathepsin D activities by
counteracting the action phenyl
hydrazine. The results confirm the claims of
ayurveda that these drugs
possess the potency to cure anaemia through
protection of RBCs from
haemolysis and simultaneously lowering
cathepsin D activities from the
spleen.
2021. NO abstract.
2022.
Perry R.
Dowrick CF. Complementary medicine and general practice:
an urban perspective. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 8(2):71-5, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Complementary medicine appears
to be an increasingly popular
option amongst both doctors and patients.
General practitioners in more
affluent parts of Britain have showed
considerable interest in its use.
OBJECTIVES: To ascertain use of and
attitudes towards complementary
medicine, amongst general practitioners
working in a socioeconomically
deprived urban area. METHODS: A postal
questionnaire survey of all general
practice principles in Liverpool, using
freepost envelopes and one
reminder after 3 weeks. With respect to
eight common complementary
therapies, respondents were asked whether
they treat with, refer to or
endorse each therapy; for their views on NHS
funding, effectiveness,
adverse reactions, training needs, and
theoretical validity, for each
therapy. RESULTS: The response rate was
131/252 (52%), higher amongst
women and doctors aged under 40. During the
previous week 74 (56%) of
respondents had been involved in
complementary medical activity with their
patients: 13% had treated directly, 31% had
referred to and 38% had
endorsed one or more complementary
therapies. Acupuncture was most popular
as an NHS option, and along with osteopathy
and chiropractic was the
therapy most highly regarded by respondents
in terms of effectiveness.
Homeopathy and hypnotherapy received a mixed
reaction, while medical
herbalism, aromatherapy and reflexology were
viewed more sceptically.
Sixty-two per cent of respondents reported
successful outcomes of
complementary treatments, compared with 21%
reporting adverse reactions.
Knowledge and training desires were highest
for homeopathy and
acupuncture. Respondents were generally
uncertain about the theoretical
validity of these therapies: 50% though
acupuncture had a valid basis,
compared with only 23% for homeopathy and 8%
for reflexology. CONCLUSIONS:
The degree of support for complementary medicine
therapies amongst general
practitioners in this socioeconomically
deprived urban area was similar to
that found elsewhere in Britain. These
general practitioners appeared to
tolerate high levels of clinical
uncertainty, endorsing a wide range of
therapies, despite little knowledge of their
content or conviction of
their validity.
2023.
Petry JJ. Surgery and complementary therapies: a
review. Alternative Therapies in Health &
Medicine. 6(5):64-74, 2000 Sep.
Abstract
The incorporation of complementary therapies
into the surgical setting has
been slow compared to that of other areas of
conventional medicine. This
paper summarizes the available information
on complementary therapies in
surgery from a broad range of sources in the
medical literature. The
effects of psychological distress on the
surgical patient and potential
relief from that distress by such methods as
relaxation techniques,
hypnosis, suggestion, and imagery, as well as
the role of coping style and
locus of control on choice of therapy are
reviewed. The role of
acupuncture, music, massage therapy,
therapeutic touch, and Reiki, as well
as the use of herbs and supplements in
modifying surgical outcome, is
explored. [References: 111]
2024. No abstract.
2025. No abstract.
2026.
Rees RW.
Feigel I. Vickers A. Zollman C.
McGurk R. Smith C. Prevalence of complementary therapy use by
women with breast cancer. A population-based survey.European Journal of Cancer. 36(11):1359-64, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
The study measured the prevalence and costs
of complementary therapy use
by women diagnosed with breast cancer in the
South Thames NHS region. A
postal questionnaire was sent to a sample of
1023 women from the Thames
Cancer Registry who had been diagnosed with
breast cancer in the previous
7 years. Just over a fifth (22.4%) had
consulted a complementary
practitioner in the previous 12 months.
Almost one third (31.5%) had done
so since diagnosis. Almost pound17000 had
been spent on visits in the
previous year. The women using complementary
medicine after diagnosis were
slightly younger, more educated and more
likely to have used complementary
medicine before their diagnosis than
non-complementary medicine users. In
conclusion, significant numbers of women are
visiting complementary
therapists for health reasons following a
breast cancer diagnosis. The out
of pocket costs per user, with notable
exceptions, are modest. Use of
practitioners of complementary therapies
following diagnosis is a
significant and possibly growing phenomenon.
2027.
Saiki I.A Kampo medicine
"Juzen-taiho-to"--prevention of malignant progression and
metastasis of tumor cells and the mechanism
of action. Biological & Pharmaceutical
Bulletin. 23(6):677-88, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
Juzen-taiho-to is a Kampo (Japanese and
Chinese traditional) medicine, and
is a nourishing agent, a so-called
"Hozai" (in Japanese), that is used for
improving disturbances and imbalances in the
homeostatic condition of the
body. This drug is administered to patients
in various weakened
conditions, including post-surgery patients
and patients with chronic
illnesses, where it can alleviate general
symptoms such as extreme
fatigue, pale complexion, loss of appetite,
dry or scaly skin, night
sweating, and dryness of the mouth.
Currently, Juzen-taiho-to is often
administered to cancer patients, and has
been shown to possess various
biological activities, such as enhancement
of phagocytosis, cytokine
induction, antibody production, induction of
the mitogenic activity of
spleen cells, anti-tumor effects when
combined with surgical excision,
anti-tumor effects with or without other
drugs, and protection against the
deleterious effects of anti-cancer drugs as
well as radiation-induced
immunosuppression and bone marrow toxicity.
This article focuses on the
antitumor and antimetastatic properties of
Kampo formulations and
describes the effect of Juzen-taiho-to and
related formulations on tumor
development, progression and metastasis in
vivo. We also discuss the
mechanism of the inhibitory action and the
importance of the formulation
and the constituent drugs in determining the
efficacy. [References: 59]
2028.
Sakamoto S.
Sassa S. Kudo H. Suzuki S.
Mitamura T. Shinoda H. Preventive effects of a herbal medicine on
bone loss in rats treated with a GnRH agonist. European Journal of Endocrinology. 143(1):139-42, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
The study was designed to evaluate the
effects of a traditional Chinese
herbal medicine Hochu-ekki-to
(Bu-zong-yi-qi-tang), which was composed of
10 herbal medicines and had been used for
the treatment of oligospermia
and as a postoperative medication in Japan,
on bone loss in rats treated
with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
agonist. Female rats at 40
weeks of age were divided into 4 groups of 8
rats each. In the three
experimental groups, each animal received
subcutaneous injections of the
long-acting GnRH agonist, buserelin acetate,
once every four weeks
throughout the experiment. Beginning at 48
weeks of age, the experimental
groups were given diets containing
conjugated estrogens or Hochu-ekki-to
for 8 weeks. The administration of the GnRH
agonist reduced the bone
mineral density in the whole femur to 91.0%
of that in the control group.
However, administration of conjugated
estrogens and Hochu-ekki-to
increased the serum concentrations of
estradiol 16.8- and 5.3-fold
respectively compared with concentrations in
the GnRH agonist-treated
group, resulting in the augmentation of the
bone mineral density to 110.3%
and 106.2% respectively. These findings
indicate that Hochu-ekki-to
enhances the reduced bone mineral density
and causes a slight elevation of
the serum estradiol levels in the chemically
castrated rats.
2029.
Scartezzini P. Speroni E. Review on some plants of Indian traditional
medicine with antioxidant activity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 71(1-2):23-43, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
A lot of medicinal plants, traditionally
used for thousands of years, are
present in a group of herbal preparations of
the Indian traditional health
care system (Ayurveda) named Rasayana
proposed for their interesting
antioxidant activities. Among the medicinal
plants used in ayurvedic
Rasayana for their therapeutic action, some
of these have been throughly
investigated. In the present paper seven
plants (Emblica officinalis L.,
Curcuma longa L., Mangifera indica L.,
Momordica charantia L., Santalum
album L., Swertia chirata Buch-Ham, Withania
somnifera (L.) Dunal) are
viewed for their historical, etymological,
morphological, phytochemical
and pharmacological aspects. The plants
described contain antioxidant
principles, that can explain and justify
their use in traditional medicine
in the past as well as the present. In order
to identify the plants with
antioxidant activity in Ayurveda, a
formulation of some rasayanas with
well defined antioxidant properties has been
examinated. For this purpose,
we have considered Sharma's work on the
preparation MAK4, MAK5, MA631, MA
471, MA Raja's Cup, MA Student Rasayana, MA
Ladies Rasayana. [References:
140]
2030.
Schaffner KF. Medical informatics and the concept of
disease. Theoretical Medicine & Bioethics. 21(1):85-101, 2000 Jan.
Abstract
This paper attempts to address the general
question whether information
technologies, as applied in the area of
medicine and health care, have or
are likely to change fundamental concepts
regarding disease and health.
After a short excursion into the domain of
medical informatics I provide a
brief overview of some of the current
theories of what a disease is from a
more philosophical perspective, i.e. the
"value free" and "value laden"
view of disease. Next, I consider at some
length, whether health care
informatics is currently modifying
fundamental concepts of disease. To
this question I will answer largely in the
negative, and I will provide
the sketch of some arguments from current
research programs in medical
informatics why I think this is the case.
This argumentation is supported
by a detailed account of how the disease
profile for beriberi heart
disease, used in one of the major medical
informatics diagnostic programs,
QMR (and its ancestor INTERNIST-1), was
developed, and why at least this
program essentially follows received views
of traditional medicine. The
one main exception to the conformity of this
program to "received" views
of a disease occurs when the program's
designers need to fine-tune a
disease definition. This fine-tuning is to
comport with the expert's
perspective on the disease, including his or
her epistemic values, as well
as the program's other resources for
diagnosing components of a disease.
2031.
Shao Y.
Shan B. A survey on acupuncture treatment of
peripheral nerve injury. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 19(3):221-6, 1999 Sep.
2032.
Shen YC.
Chen CF. Chiou WF. Suppression of rat neutrophil reactive
oxygen species production and adhesion by the diterpenoid lactone
andrographolide. Planta Medica. 66(4):314-7, 2000 May.
Abstract
The present study was to examine whether
andrographolide, a diterpenoid
lactone isolated from the anti-inflammatory
herbal medicine Andrographis
paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees. (Acanthaceae),
has the ability to prevent
phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate
(PMA)-induced reactive oxygen species
(ROS) production, as well as
N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine
(fMLP)-induced adhesion by rat neutrophils.
Results demonstrated that PMA
(100 ng/ml) induced rapid accumulation of
H2O2 and O2. in neutrophils
within 30 minutes. Andrographolide (0.1 to
10 microM) pretreatment (10
min, 37 degrees C) significantly attenuated
the accumulation of these two
oxygen radical metabolites. Administration
of andrographolide also
significantly prevented fMLP-induced
neutrophil adhesion. These data
suggest that preventing ROS production and
neutrophils adhesion may confer
andrographolide the ability to be an
anti-inflammatory drug.
2033.
Sheu JR.
Kan YC. Hung WC. Lin CH.
Yen MH. The antiplatelet activity of tetramethylpyrazine is mediated through
activation of NO synthase. Life Sciences. 67(8):937-47, 2000 Jul 14.
Abstract
Tetramethylpyrazine (TMPZ) is an active
ingredient of a Chinese herbal
medicine (Ligusticum wallichii Franchat). In
this study, TMPZ (50-200
microM) significantly increased production
of nitrate and cyclic GMP in
human platelets within a 15-min incubation
period. TMPZ
concentration-dependently inhibited
intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in
human platelets stimulated by collagen (5
microg/ml). Furthermore, TMPZ
concentration (50 and 200 microM)- and time
(15 and 30 min)-dependently
triggered endothelial-type constitutive
nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS)
protein expression in human platelets. These
results indicated that TMPZ
at micromolar concentrations stimulated
nitric oxide production in human
platelets via a novel mechanism that
activated ecNOS protein expression.
2034.
Silvert M. Acupuncture wins BMA approval [news].
BMJ.
321(7252):11, 2000 Jul 1.
2035.
Sollner W.
Maislinger S. DeVries A. Steixner E.
Rumpold G. Lukas P. Use of complementary and alternative medicine
by cancer patients is not associated with perceived distress or poor
compliance with standard treatment but with active coping behavior: a
survey. Cancer.
89(4):873-80, 2000 Aug 15.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM) is often used by
cancer patients. Data on characteristics of
users, concomitant psychologic
disturbance, and compliance with standard
treatment continue to be
controversial. Use of and interest in CAM
and their correlation with
psychologic disturbance, ways of coping with
illness, and compliance with
standard treatment were examined in this
study. METHODS: The authors
conducted a survey in a consecutive sample
of 205 cancer patients
undergoing radiotherapy, using a structured
questionnaire to record use of
and interest in CAM, the Hospital Anxiety
and Depression Scale, the
Hornheide Questionnaire to assess patient
distress and social support, and
the Freiburg Questionnaire of Coping with
Illness. RESULTS: Of the 172
participants, 24.4% (response rate, 83.9%)
reported use of CAM, and 31.4%
reported not having used but being
interested in such methods. Logistic
regression analysis including clinical,
demographic, and psychologic
characteristics as independent variables yielded
3 predictors of use of or
interest in CAM: younger age (P = 0.004;
odds ratio (OR), 0.96),
progressive cancer (P = 0.064; OR, 1.47),
and active coping behavior (P =
0.016; OR, 1.65). Patients interested in or
using CAM did not show more
psychologic disturbance, poorer social
support, or less trust in medicine
or compliance with radiotherapy than
subjects without such interest.
CONCLUSIONS: Use of CAM by cancer patients
is not associated with
perceived distress or poor compliance with
medical treatment but with
active coping behavior. Patients seem to
consider CAM as supplementary to
standard medical methods and one way of
avoiding passivity and of coping
with feelings of hopelessness. Copyright
2000 American Cancer Society.
2037.
Sparber A.
Bauer L. Curt G. Eisenberg D. Levin T. Parks S. Steinberg
SM.
Wootton J. Use of complementary medicine by adult
patients participating in cancer clinical trials. Oncology Nursing Forum. 27(4):623-30, 2000 May.
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To document the
prevalence, demographic correlates,
patterns of use, and beliefs about
complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM) therapies of adult patients enrolled
in National Cancer Institute
(NCI) clinical trials. DESIGN: Prospective,
cross-sectional, descriptive
survey. SETTING: W.G. Magnuson Clinical
Center of the National Institutes
of Health in Bethesda, MD. SAMPLE:
Convenience sample of 100
English-speaking, adult patients with cancer
admitted to intramural
clinical trials. METHODS: A standardized,
99-item questionnaire assessing
use of CAM therapies pre- and postcancer
diagnosis was administered by
face-to-face interview. MAIN RESEARCH
VARIABLES: Use of CAM therapies,
beliefs, communication with physician.
FINDINGS: 63% used at least one CAM
therapy, with an average use of two
therapies per patient. Men were
significantly less likely to use a therapy
than women; women were more
likely to use numerous therapies. Cancer
diagnosis seems to have had no
influence overall on the frequency of use of
CAM therapies. The major
reasons stated for CAM use were for
treatment-related medical conditions
as well as depression, anxiety, and
insomnia. The most frequently reported
therapies were spiritual, relaxation,
imagery, exercise, lifestyle diet
(e.g., macrobiotic, vegetarian), and
nutritional supplementation. Patients
unanimously believed that these
complementary therapies helped to improve
their quality of life through more effective
coping with stress,
decreasing the discomforts of treatment and
illness, and giving them a
sense of control. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with
cancer use various
complementary therapies to cope with their
disease and the rigors of
clinical trials. Women and those with higher
educational backgrounds were
more frequent users. IMPLICATIONS FOR
NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses who provide
care to subjects of biomedical research have
an opportunity and
responsibility regarding their patients' use
of CAM therapies. Nurses may
use in-house resources to help evaluate
subjects' use of a CAM modality or
to provide quality-of-life therapies such as
relaxation, imagery, or
healing touch. Discussing these health
practices in a nonjudgmental manner
adds to the assessment of patients' coping
skills and ability to make
decisions about their health care.
2038.
Stone J. Government plans to regulate voluntary and
private healthcare. Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery. 5(6):155-8, 1999 Dec.
Abstract
A recent Government consultation document
has recommended proposals to
dramatically extend protection for patients
in the private sector. It has
invited comments on whether these proposals
should be extended to the
complementary medicine sector. The provision
include the creation of a new
regulatory body, quality assurance
mechanisms and a new complaints system.
The lack of coherence within complementary
medicine means that there has
been very little consultation with
therapists or their professional
bodies. This article outlines the main
proposals and calls for the
creation of a pan-professional organization
to assume trade union
functions to ensure that in future
complementary therapists gain a
political voice over matters which directly
affect their practice.
[References: 4]
2039.
Thompson E.
Kassab S. Homeopathy in cancer care [editorial;
comment]. British Homoeopathic Journal. 89(2):61-2, 2000 Apr.
2040.
Toda S.
Yase Y. Shirataki Y.Inhibitory effects of astragali radix, crude
drug in Oriental medicines on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative
modification of mouse brain homogenate by copper. Phytotherapy Research. 14(4):294-6, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
Astragali Radix, the root of Astragalus
membranaceus Bunge, is a crude
drug used widely in Oriental medicines. It
is a major component of
Ougi-Keishi-gomotsu-to, a traditional herbal
medicine, used for neurop
patients with abnormal sensations and
neuropathic pain of the legs. It was
shown to have inhibitory effects on lipid
peroxidation and protein
oxidative modification by copper. The
effects were similar to and stronger
than those of mannitol and superoxide
dismutase as free radical
scavengers. These results demonstrated that
Astragali Radix has inhibitory
effects on oxidative stress induced by
metal. Copyright 2000 John Wiley &
Sons, Ltd.
2041.
Toriizuka K. Hou P. Yabe T. Iijima K.
Hanawa T. Cyong JC. Effects of Kampo medicine,
Toki-shakuyaku-san (Tang-Kuei-Shao-Yao-San), on choline acetyltransferase activity and
norepinephrine contents in brain regions, and mitogenic activity of splenic
lymphocytes in ovariectomized mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 71(1-2):133-43, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
We investigated the effects of
Toki-shakuyaku-san (TSS,
Tang-Kuei-Shao-Yao-San in Chinese), Japanese
traditional herbal medicine,
on the nervous and immune systems in
ovariectomized mice as a climacteric
disorder model. Female C57BL/6 mice were
ovariectomized (OVX) and TSS was
given daily through the drinking water for
either 10 or 20 days from the
day after ovariectomy. After completion of
experimental sessions, animals
were sacrificed and specific brain regions
were assayed for choline
acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and
norepinephrine contents. The
mitogenic activities, alkaline phosphatase
activity and 3-(4,
5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H
terazolium bromide (MTT) activity,
in splenic lymphocytes has also measured.
Furthermore, the effects of TSS
on learning and memory ability were studied
by the step-through type
passive avoidance test. As the results, the
administration of TSS
significantly suppressed the decrease of
ChAT activity in the cerebral
cortex (CC) and the dorsal hippocampus (DH)
of ovariectomized mice at 10
days after ovariectomy, however no
significant effect was observed at 20
days after ovariectomy. Norepinephrine
contents in OVX group were
decreased at 10 and 20 days after
ovariectomy in the CC and the ventral
hippocampus (VH). The administration of TSS
significantly suppressed the
decrease of norepinephrine contents at 20
days after ovariectomy. The
mitogenic activities of lymphocyte in spleen
were increased at 10 days
after ovariectomy, and decreased at 20 days
after ovariectomy. However,
the suppression of these changes was
observed in the group given TSS. The
mean latent period was also shortened in the
passive avoidance test in the
OVX group, but TSS treated group improved
mean latency. From these
observations, it is inferred that
administration of TSS brings on the
synthesis of acetylcholine and
norepinephrine in the CC and hippocampus,
and may improve the memory related behavior
and the abnormalities in
lymphocytes in the models of the climacteric
disorder.
2042.
Tsen LC.
Segal S. Pothier M. Bader AM. Alternative medicine use in presurgical
patients. Anesthesiology. 93(1):148-51, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A dramatic increase in the use
of complementary and
alternative medicines has been observed. The
use of such remedies in the
presurgical population has implications for
the anesthesiologist because
of the potential for drug interactions, side
effects, and medical
liability. This study was undertaken to
quantify the use of herbal
remedies and vitamins in the presurgical
population of a large tertiary
care center. METHODS: A one-page
questionnaire was distributed to all
patients presenting for evaluation in the
preoperative clinic over an
11-week period. Patients answered questions
regarding use of prescription
and nonprescription medications, herbal
remedies, and vitamins. RESULTS:
Twenty-two percent of presurgical patients
reported the use of herbal
remedies, and 51% used vitamins. Women and
patients aged 40-60 yr were
more likely to use herbal medicines.
Over-the-counter medication use was
strongly associated with herbal preparation
use. The most commonly used
compounds, from highest to lowest, included
echinacea, gingko biloba, St.
John's wort, garlic, and ginseng.
CONCLUSIONS: Alternative medicine use is
common in the preoperative period.
2043.
van Haselen RA. Fisher PA. A randomized controlled trial comparing
topical piroxicam gel with a homeopathic gel in osteoarthritis of the
knee. Rheumatology (Oxford). 39(7):714-9, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE.: To evaluate the efficacy and
safety of a homeopathic gel vs an
NSAID (piroxicam) gel in the treatment of
osteoarthritis of the knee.
METHOD.: One hundred and eighty-four
out-patients with radiographically
confirmed symptomatic osteoarthritis of the
knee were entered into a
pragmatic, randomized, double-blind
controlled trial and treated with 1 g
of gel three times daily for 4 weeks. Main
outcome measures were pain on
walking as a Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and
a single-joint Ritchie index.
RESULTS.: One hundred and seventy-two of the
184 enrolled patients had
endpoints for the main outcome parameters.
The pain reduction was 16.5 mm
VAS in the homeopathy group (n = 86) and 8.1
mm in the piroxicam group (n
= 86); the difference between treatment
groups was 8.4 mm (95% confidence
interval 0.8-15.9), and after adjustment for
pain at baseline it was 6.8
mm (95% confidence interval -0.3 to 13.8).
There was no significant
difference between treatment groups in the
single-joint Ritchie index (P =
0.78). Adverse events occurred in 28
patients (12 homeopathy group, 5
withdrawn; 16 piroxicam group, 9 withdrawn);
18 of the events involved a
local reaction (7 homeopathy group, 2
withdrawn; 11 piroxicam group, 5
withdrawn). CONCLUSION.: The homeopathic gel
was at least as effective and
as well tolerated as the NSAID gel. The
presence of a clinically relevant
difference between treatment groups cannot
be excluded. The homeopathic
gel supplemented by simple analgesics if
required may provide a useful
treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis.
2044.
Veale DJ.
Oliver DW. Havlik I. The effects of herbal oxytocics on the
isolated "stripped" myometrium model.Life Sciences. 67(11):1381-8, 2000 Aug 4.
Abstract
Decoctions of Agapanthus africanus and
Clivia miniata are used as oxytocic
agents in South African traditional herbal
medicine. Aqueous extracts of
A. africanus and C. miniata leaves have been
shown to possess similar
uterotonic activities in the isolated whole
uterus preparation. The uterus
however, comprises a myometrial and an
endometrial layer and the activity
of both oxytocin and the prostaglandins
differs in these layers. The aim
of this study was to determine the
uterotonic activity of the herbal
remedies in an endometrium-free preparation
(i.e. "stripped" myometrium)
and, if active, whether this effect could be
related to prostaglandin
synthesis or to interaction with specific
receptors. The effects of the
herbal extracts were tested on the isolated
"stripped" rat myometrium
preparation. Both herbal extracts caused a
direct contractile response by
the isolated tissue. Pretreatment of the
myometrium with either plant
extract augmented the initial response to
acetylcholine. Preincubation
with atropine inhibited the response to
cumulative dosage of Agapanthus
extract but had no effect on the response to
Clivia. Indomethacin
administration did not affect the response
of the myometrium to cumulative
dosage of acetylcholine, oxytocin or Clivia
extract but inhibited the
response to Agapanthus extract. These
results clearly indicate that the
Agapanthus and Clivia herbal extracts
exhibited uterotonic activity in
this model. The study illustrates that the
"stripped" myometrium model has
successfully differentiated between the
mechanisms of action of two herbal
oxytocics compared to the whole uterus
preparation where their uterotonic
activity was thought to be similar.
2045.
Villena C.
Vivas JM. Villar AM. Suppression of croton oil-induced rabbit
corneal edema by sideritis javalambrensis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 71(1-2):301-5, 2000 Jul.
Abstract
This investigation was designed to evaluate
the anti-inflammatory activity
of the aqueous and hexane extracts of
Sideritis javalambrensis, to which
pharmacological properties have been
attributed in Spanish traditional
medicine. The extracts were applied as eye
drops in a croton oil-induced
corneal edema model in rabbits. Corneal
thickness was estimated before the
induction of inflammation and 3, 6, 8, 12,
48, 72 and 96 h after
induction. Significant inflammation
inhibition percentages were shown
during both the acute and chronic stages of
inflammation by both extracts
and by the reference drug dexamethasone,
with most therapeutic effect
shown during the chronic phase. However, the
hexane extract exhibited
potent anti-inflammatory activity from 6 to
24 h post-induction, achieving
greater percentage inhibition values during
this stage than those obtained
for dexamethasone.
2046.
Webster GJ.
Hallett R. Whalley SA. Meltzer M.
Balogun K. Brown D. Farrington CP. Sharma S. Hamilton
G. Farrow SC. Ramsay ME. Teo CG. Dusheiko GM. Molecular epidemiology of a large outbreak
of hepatitis B linked to autohaemotherapy. Lancet
356(9227):379-84, 2000 Jul 29.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Unregulated skin-piercing
procedures potentially facilitate
the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. In
February, 1998, a patient who
had recently received autohaemotherapy at an
alternative medicine clinic
in the UK was diagnosed with acute hepatitis
B. The autohaemotherapy
procedure involved the drawing of 1 mL of
the patient's blood, mixing with
saline, and reinjection of the autologous
blood mixture. We investigated
the extent of hepatitis B virus (HBV)
infection in patients and staff of
the clinic. METHODS: Patients who had
attended the clinic between January,
1997, and February, 1998, were tested for
serological markers of HBV, and
for HBV DNA by PCR. HBV DNA was sequenced to
assess the relatedness of the
virus identified in the cases. We analysed
the number and dates of visits
with regard to HBV status. FINDINGS: Serum
samples were received from 352
patients and four staff members. Serological
evidence of exposure to HBV
was found in 57 (16%). Of the 33 patients
and staff who were positive for
hepatitis B surface antigen, 30 (91%) showed
complete nucleotide identity
in the DNA segments derived from the surface
and core genes. Five patients
with linked infection had markers of chronic
hepatitis B, and one of these
was regarded as the likely source of the
outbreak. The attack rate was
associated with the number of visits
(p<0.0001) and the week of visit
(p=0.011). Contaminated saline in a
repeatedly used bottle was the
probable vehicle of transmission.
INTERPRETATION: We have described a
large community-based outbreak of hepatitis
B due to transmission by a
single HBV variant. Our findings emphasise
the continuing risk of
transmission of bloodborne viruses in all
health-care settings where
skin-piercing procedures are used.
2047.
White AR.
Ernst E.Economic analysis of complementary medicine:
a systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 8(2):111-8, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review systematically all
reports of economic analysis of
complementary and alternative medicine.
METHOD : Searches were performed
in Medline, Embase and AMED for reports of
cost description, cost
comparison, cost effectiveness, or cost
benefit studies. Prospective
studies that investigated comparative groups
were considered to be of
higher quality. RESULTS: A total of 34
reports was included. Retrospective
studies in which a range of therapies are
provided in primary care suggest
that these may reduce referral and treatment
costs, but prospective
studies suggest that complementary medicine
is an additional expense and
does not substitute for orthodox care. For
individual therapies, one
thorough but retrospective study suggests
that carefully targeted
acupuncture may reduce referral costs for
musculoskeletal problems. One
large pragmatic study of spinal manipulative
therapy suggests that this
treatment may reduce the societal costs of
back pain, but four controlled
trials found that manipulative therapy does
not reduce the costs incurred
by the back pain patients themselves or by
their health insurance
provider. CONCLUSION: Spinal manipulative
therapy for back pain may offer
cost savings to society, but it does not
save money for the purchaser.
There is a paucity of rigorous studies that
could provide conclusive
evidence of differences in costs and
outcomes between other complementary
therapies and orthodox medicine. The
evidence from methodologically flawed
studies is contradicted by more rigorous
studies, and there is a need for
high quality investigations of the costs and
benefits of complementary
medicine. [References: 46]
2048.Wu J.
Guo Z. Twenty-three cases of postherpetic neuralgia
treated by acupuncture. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 20(1):36-7, 2000 Mar.
2049.
Xu H. A summary of clinical treatment for 58 cases
of hemiplegia with electro-acupuncture and massage. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 20(1):48-50, 2000 Mar.
2050.
Yamey G. Can complementary medicine be
evidence-based? [editorial]. Western Journal of Medicine. 173(1):4-5, 2000 Jul.
2051.
Yi-Kai L.
Xueyan A. Fu-Gen W. Silver needle therapy for intractable
low-back pain at tender point after removal of nucleus pulposus. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological
Therapeutics. 23(5):320-3, 2000 Jun.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of a new
silver needle therapy for treating
tender points involved in intractable
low-back pain after removal of
nucleus pulposus. SUBJECTS: The study
involved 24 patients (17 men and 7
women) aged 26 to 67 years with a mean age
of 54.5 +/- 5 years. SETTINGS:
The Department of Orthopedics at the First
Military Medical University,
the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at
the General Hospital of PLA
in Beijing, and the Department of
Acupuncture, the First People's Hospital
in Kunming City, People's Republic of China,
were the settings for this
study. METHODS: The patients were treated
with traditional silver needle
therapy at tender points in the low back and
buttocks. Pain at each of the
tender points was measured before and after
treatment; the scores were
compared with a Student t test. RESULTS: The
therapeutic results suggest
that the total scores for each tender point
after treatment were
significantly lower than those taken before
treatment (P <.001).
CONCLUSION: Silver needle therapy shows
promise for treating low-back pain
after surgery for disc herniation. Further
clinical trials are needed to
confirm the effectiveness of this treatment.
2052.
Zhang Y.
Wu GC. He QZ. Cao XD. Effect of morphine and electro-acupuncture
(EA) on apoptosis of thymocytes. Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics
Research. 25(1):17-26, 2000.
Abstract
The influence of morphine and EA on the
apoptosis of thymocytes were
studied to investigate the posibility of its
involvement in the mechanism
of morphine-induced immunosuppression and
the regulatory effect of EA on
it. 1h after injecting 50 mg/kg morphine
subcutaneously into 3-wk old
Balb/c mice continually twice a day for 5
days, thymus was collected and
the apoptotic cell was detected by a method
of terminal deoxynucleotidyl
transferase-meditaed dUTP nick
end-labeling(TUNEL). The results showed
that morphine significantly enhanced the
percentage of TUNEL positive
cells inside thymus with an appearing of
apoptotic DNA ladder after 24 h
incubation. Treating mice with EA of
"Zusanli(St.36)" and "Lanwei(Ext.33)"
for 1h after morphine administration
decreased the percentage of TUNEL
positive cells. EA also showed an regulatory
effect on the increased the
expression of CPP32 and decreased the
expression of Bcl-2 by morphine. The
significant enhancement of hypothalamic CRF
and plasma ACTH level by
morphine and the antagonize effect of EA on
it suggested a possible role
of Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
played in the apoptosis of
thymocytes by morphine and the regulatory
effect of EA.
2053.
Zhao M.
Liu Z. Su J. The time-effect relationship of central
action in acupuncture treatment for weight reduction. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 20(1):26-9, 2000 Mar.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To study the time-effect
relationship of action of acupuncture on
the satiety center of ventromedial nucleus
of hypothalamus (VMH) in rats
with experimental obesity. METHODS:
Microelectrode recording method of
nerve cells and stereotaxic technique for
brain were adopted with
discharge frequency (Hz/s) of nerve impulse
in VMH as the index, and the
time-effect of acupuncture action in
different periods between groups were
observed. RESULTS: Electric activity in
acupuncture group was higher than
in the obesity model group (P < 0.001)
and the normal group (P < 0.01)
respectively, and the curve of acupuncture
action within 2 hours showed
irregular fluctuation. CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture can increase excitability
of the satiety center, with a better
long-term effect.
2484. Aabel S. Fossheim S. Rise F. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of homeopathic solutions. [see comments]. British Homoeopathic Journal. 90(1):14-20, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
The efficacy of homeopathy is controversial. Nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR) has been used to study homeopathic solutions, showing provocative
results. We examined the reproducibility of one of the allegedly positive
studies. 1H NMR spectra were recorded for Sulphur D4, diluted and
succussed up to D30 (called potentization) at two different frequencies
(300 and 500 MHz). The Sulphur solution had been potentiated according to
homeopathic principles with deionized water and alcohol. Water proton T1
relaxation measurements were performed also at 20 MHz for the different
potentiated Sulphur solutions. Furthermore, the homeopathic remedy Betula
alba 30c (birch pollen extract) and appropriate control solution
(deionized water, unsuccussed solutions and placebo globules) were
measured analogously, both with frequencies giving spectra and T1
relaxometry. The Sulphur remedies showed identical one dimensional proton
spectra (1H NMR) at 300 and 500 MHz, regardless of dilution/succussion
stage, from D4 to D30. Furthermore, Betula 30c as a potentiated solution
and its controls (ethanol dilutions and Betula diluted but not succussed)
showed identical spectra. Nor were there any statistically significant
differences in longitudinal (T1) relaxation times between deionized water
and Sulphur D10 to D30 preparations. The shorter T1 of the Sulphur D4
preparation could be ascribed to the higher microviscosity within the
sample matrix caused by the high concentration of dissolved material.
Also, the T1 values of the Betula alba 30c preparation (in globular form)
and control placebo globules were identical. In conclusion, published
results from NMR research on homeopathy indicating differences between
homeopathic solutions and control samples could not be reproduced.
2487. Anonymous. Incorporating new (mind/body, alternative, complementary, or integrative) medicine into everyday care. Quality Letter for Healthcare Leaders. 13(2):2-11, 1, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
Use of a variety of therapies and techniques--ranging from acupuncture to
yoga to herbal therapies--that are designed to relieve medical conditions
and illnesses and/or emphasize the mind, body, and spirit connections are
gaining popularity among patients in the United States. For years, many
hospitals, plans, clinicians, and insurers ignored these therapies when
using "conventional" therapies. But, times are changing: A movement is now
afoot to determine whether these therapies and techniques can be
successfully integrated with current health care treatments to provide
quality care to patients.
2489. Anonymous. Alternative medicine. What works...maybe. Harvard Health Letter. 26(3):1-2, 2001 Jan.
2492. Ascher W. More on BMA's approval of acupuncture. BMA replies to correspondence. BMJ. 322(7277):45, 2001 Jan 6.
2495. Bausell RB. Lee WL. Berman BM. Demographic and health-related correlates to visits to complementary and alternative medical providers. Medical Care. 39(2):190-6, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to ascertain the extent to
which demographic and health-related variables are related to visits to a
complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner. METHODS: This
study reports a secondary analysis of visits to CAM practitioners during
the year before the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (n = 16,038).
RESULTS: Overall visits to CAM providers (9%) were lower than reported in
widely cited surveys but quite consistent with a previous Robert Wood
Johnson study that used a similar sampling procedure. Gender, education,
age, geographic location, and race (Hispanics and African Americans proved
to be less likely to visit CAM providers than whites) were statistically
significant predictors of visits to CAM providers. Individuals in poorer
health and those suffering from mental, musculoskeletal, and metabolic
disorders also tended to be more likely to have visited a CAM provider.
CONCLUSIONS: Although the choice of alternative versus orthodox treatment
appears to be a complex phenomenon, these data suggest that the heaviest
users of CAM therapies tend to be individuals with comorbid,
non-life-threatening health problems. This finding may help to ameliorate
concerns that this type of care is being used in lieu of therapies with
more definitive efficacy evidence.
2498. Berman BM. Complementary medicine and medical education. [letter; comment]. BMJ. 322(7279):121-2, 2001 Jan 20.
2499. Beyerstein BL. Alternative medicine and common errors of reasoning. [Review] [60 refs] Academic Medicine. 76(3):230-7, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Why do so many otherwise intelligent patients and therapists pay
considerable sums for products and therapies of alternative medicine, even
though most of these either are known to be useless or dangerous or have
not been subjected to rigorous scientific testing? The author proposes a
number of reasons this occurs: (1) Social and cultural reasons (e.g., many
citizens' inability to make an informed choice about a health care
product; anti-scientific attitudes meshed with New Age mysticism; vigorous
marketing and extravagant claims; dislike of the delivery of scientific
biomedicine; belief in the superiority of "natural" products); (2)
psychological reasons (e.g., the will to believe; logical errors of
judgment; wishful thinking, and "demand characteristics"); (3) the
illusion that an ineffective therapy works, when actually other factors
were at work (e.g., the natural course or cyclic nature of the disease;
the placebo effect; spontaneous remission; misdiagnosis). The author
concludes by acknowledging that when people become sick, any promise of a
cure is beguiling. But he cautions potential clients of alternative
treatments to be suspicious if those treatments are not supported by
reliable scientific research (criteria are listed), if the "evidence" for
a treatment's worth consists of anecdotes, testimonials, or self-published
literature, and if the practitioner has a pseudoscientific or
conspiracy-laden approach, or promotes cures that sound "too good to be
true." [References: 60]
2500. Boutouyrie P. Corvisier R. Azizi M. Lemoine D. Laloux B. Hallouin M. Laurent S. Effects of acupuncture on radial artery hemodynamics: controlled trials in sensitized and naive subjects. American Journal of Physiology - Heart & Circulatory Physiology. 280(2):H628-33, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
Palpation of the radial pulses is an important technique in traditional
Chinese medicine. Two double-blind randomized trials of the effects of
real and sham acupuncture on radial artery hemodynamics were conducted in
19 patients regularly exposed to acupuncture (sensitized subjects) and in
8 healthy subjects devoid of previous exposure (naive subjects),
respectively. Radial artery diameter and pulse waveform were measured with
a high-resolution echotracking system and aplanation tonometry,
respectively, before and during a 20-min acupuncture period. In sensitized
patients, arterial diameter significantly increased during real
acupuncture, compared with the sham group (+7.5 +/- 2.8 vs. -2.9 +/- 2.7%,
respectively; P < 0.01). By contrast, in naive subjects, arterial diameter
did not change during real or sham acupuncture. In both populations, no
significant difference was observed between real and sham acupuncture,
concerning the time course of blood pressure, radial artery
distensibility, and pressure waveform. Our results demonstrate that real
acupuncture is associated with an objective vasodilatation of the radial
artery in patients regularly exposed to acupuncture, but not in naive
subjects.
2504. Caspi O. Integrated medicine: orthodox meets alternative. Bringing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into mainstream is not integration. BMJ. 322(7279):168, 2001 Jan 20.
2508. Cummings M. More on BMA's approval of acupuncture. Acupuncture techniques should be tested logically and methodically. BMJ. 322(7277):46, 2001 Jan 6.
2509. No Abstract
2510. Authors
Deivanayagam CN. Krishnarajasekhar OR. Ravichandran N.
Title
Evaluation of Siddha medicare in HIV disease.
Source
Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 49:390-1, 2001 Mar.
2511. No Abstract
2512. Authors
Dhar HL. Vasanti T.
Title
Endogenous depression, thyroid function and acupuncture.
Source
Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology. 45(1):125-6, 2001 Jan.
2513. No Abstract
2514. No Abstract
2515. No Abstract
2516. Authors
Ernst E.
Title
A primer of complementary and alternative medicine commonly used by cancer
patients. [Review] [54 refs]
Source
Medical Journal of Australia. 174(2):88-92, 2001 Jan 15.
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used by cancer
patients, and many oncologists have limited knowledge of CAM. This article
provides a brief, evidence-based introduction to several CAM treatments
relevant in the context of cancer. "Alternative" diets, chiropractic,
coffee enemas, ozone therapy, and shark cartilage seem to have little to
offer cancer patients. The evidence for or against homoeopathy and
spiritual healing is at present inconclusive. Acupuncture, aromatherapy,
and meditation may be useful for nausea/vomiting, for mild relaxation, and
for pain/anxiety, respectively. Herbal treatments offer no reasonable
prospect of a cure (mistletoe), but could be useful as palliative
treatments (eg, for depression [St John's wort] or anxiety [kava]). Our
knowledge regarding the potential benefit and harm of CAM is insufficient.
[References: 54]
2517. Ernst E.The Lords' report on complementary/alternative medicine: something for everyone. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 94(2):55-6, 2001 Feb.
2518 No Abstract
2519 No Abstract
2520. Frank E. Methodological issues in trials of acupuncture. JAMA. 285(8):1016, 2001 Feb 28.
2521. Frenkel M. Arye EB. The growing need to teach about complementary and alternative medicine: questions and challenges. Academic Medicine. 76(3):251-4, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
With the increased popularity of complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM), there is a growing interest in the topic among physicians,
residents, and medical students, who feel an increased need to have proper
instruction about CAM therapies. Medical schools and residency programs
are starting to respond to this demand, having realized that to provide
better care and foster an improved patient-doctor relationship, physicians
should become informed consultants, and be able to provide educated advice
about CAM to their patients and help them integrate any CAM therapies
shown to be safe and effective into their health care. The authors
acknowledge that opinions differ about the adequacy of research findings
to certify the safety and efficacy of specific therapies, and stress that
physicians' decisions about CAM use should be subject to the same exacting
criteria employed by researchers to evaluate any new therapies. The
authors report on CAM curriculum developments in Germany, Canada, and the
United States that illustrate various approaches to the question, "What
should be taught in a CAM course?" In most cases, the approach is to teach
about CAM therapies, although in others, therapies that the curriculum
planners considered useful and safe are being integrated into the medical
curriculum. [References: 20]
2522. Friedman Y. Navigating the world of alternative medicine. Worthwhile Web sites. American Journal of Nursing. 101(3):87-9, 2001 Mar.
2523. Gloth FM 3rd. Pain management in older adults: prevention and treatment.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 49(2):188-99, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
The release of guidelines in 1998 by the American Geriatrics Society on
"The Management of Chronic Pain in Older Persons" was a breakthrough in
helping to manage pain in this population. Already advances have fostered
a need to update recommendations. This article focuses on the treatment
strategies available for seniors that are likely to help to fulfill the
obligation to relieve pain and suffering in patients. A review was done of
the literature using Medline and other search techniques. New pain scales
have been developed with seniors in mind and greater testing of older
scales in elderly populations have helped to identify measures of pain
more suited to frail seniors. Advances in cyclooxygenase inhibition
selectivity, alternative medicine, and progress in the identification of
nonopioid pain receptors and the development of products to target them
are just a few of changes that have altered the way clinicians think about
treating pain. The use of hospice in end-of-life palliative care is a
valuable resource for clinicians managing pain at that phase in care as
well. Tools are available to prevent and treat pain successfully in
seniors. Educating clinicians about available assessment tools, techniques
and interventions may be the biggest challenge to comforting the older
adult in pain. [References: 93]
2524. No Abstract.
2525. Gordon JS.The future of complementary and alternative medicine.Quality Letter for Healthcare Leaders. 13(2):12-4, 2001 Feb.
2526. Gordon JS. The White House commission in Washington, DC, and Washington State. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 7(1):24-6, 28, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
The White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Policy was created March 8, 2000, by executive order. The 2-year
commission will ultimately report to the president on legislative and
administrative recommendations for ensuring that US public policy
maximizes the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine. In this
column, the chair of the commission will offer his thoughts about the
goals and work of this key advisory body.
2527. Grollman AP. Alternative medicine: the importance of evidence in medicine and in
medical education. Is there wheat among the chaff? Academic Medicine. 76(3):221-3, 2001 Mar.
2528. No Abstract.
2529. Haley RW. Fischer RP.Commercial tattooing as a potentially important source of hepatitis C infection. Clinical epidemiology of 626 consecutive patients unaware of their hepatitis C serologic status.Medicine. 80(2):134-51, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Tattooing in commercial tattoo parlors is known to transmit blood-borne
viral infections, including hepatitis C virus (HCV), in other countries,
but its contribution to the high population prevalence of HCV infection in
the United States has been incompletely evaluated. Risk factors for
blood-borne infection were assessed by physician's interview of 626
consecutive patients undergoing medical evaluation for spinal problems in
1991 and 1992 while unaware of their HCV status. Later all were screened
for HCV infection with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA-1 and
EIA-2), and positives were confirmed with second-generation recombinant
immunoblot assay (RIBA). Forty-three patients were seropositive for HCV
(sample prevalence 6.9%, population-standardized prevalence 2.8%).
Logistic regression analysis identified 4 independent risk factors for HCV
infection: injection-drug use (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [OR] = 23.0;
95% confidence intervals [CI] = 7.5-70.6), ancillary hospital jobs held by
men (OR = 9.6; 95% CI = 3.8-24.3), tattoos from commercial tattoo parlors
(OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 2.9-14.8), and drinking > or = 3 6-packs of beer per
month (OR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.8-8.7). If causal, these 4 risk factors
account for 91% of HCV infections, with tattooing explaining 41%, heavy
beer drinking 23%, injection-drug use 17%, and ancillary health care jobs
for men 8%. Transfusions, promiscuous sexual activity, bone grafts,
acupuncture, perinatal or intimate transmission in families, and other
modes were not independently associated with serologic evidence of HCV
infection. Unlikely to be explained by confounding or incomplete
disclosure of other risk factors, tattooing in commercial tattoo parlors
may have been responsible for more HCV infections than injection-drug use.
2530. Halstead LS. The John Stanley Coulter lecture. The power of compassion and caring in rehabilitation healing. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 82(2):149-54, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
Rehabilitation of persons with catastrophic illnesses or injuries is a
complex, labor-intensive interaction between patients and caregivers.
Experiences of overwhelming loss and suffering evoke strong emotions that
shape the behavior of both patients and staff during the rehabilitation
process. In response to each patient's unique experience, compassion,
caring, and other humanistic qualities of the effective caregiver help
create a healing environment. Although these qualities are universally
accepted as important, they have not been widely studied or critically
examined. In recent years, however, there has been a growing interest in
use of scientific methods to investigate the impact of "humanistic
elements" (ie, complementary and alternative medicine) as therapeutic
agents. A review of 7 articles from this literature provides examples of
research-based interventions with potential for enhancing outcomes in
traditional rehabilitation populations. In today's high-tech impersonal
health care system, the use of scientific methods to show that humanistic
treatments are effective may represent an important new frontier and
opportunity for rehabilitation research.
2531. Hardy ML. Research in Ayurveda: where do we go from here?. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 7(2):34-5, 2001 Mar.
2532. Harmsworth K. Lewith GT. Attitudes to traditional Chinese medicine amongst Western trained doctors in the People's Republic of China. Social Science & Medicine. 52(1):149-53, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
This study analyses the attitudes of Western trained doctors to
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Shenyang, Northern China. Research
methodology involved a series of structured interviews as well as
developing a questionnaire. Two hundred and fifty questionnaires were
distributed in four centres, 177 were returned. Ninety-eight percent of
respondents had some theoretical and practical TCM training; the older
doctors having significantly more than their recently qualified
colleagues. There was clear consensus that TCM (mainly herbal medicine)
was useful and safe in treating patients with chronic or intractable
illness. Doctors were influenced in their choice of treatment by their
training, clinical experience and the available published research. TCM
was not practiced in isolation, but in conjunction with Western medicine;
76% treating their patients with TCM, 90% treating their friends or family
and 82% referring patients to TCM specialists.
2533. No Abstract
2534. Jacobs FN. Complementary medicine: a case study. Healthcare Executive. 16(1):56-7, 2001 Jan-Feb.
2535. Johansson BB. Haker E. von Arbin M. Britton M. Langstrom G. Terent A.
Ursing D. Asplund K. Swedish Collaboration on Sensory Stimulation After
Stroke. Acupuncture and transcutaneous nerve stimulation in stroke rehabilitation:
a randomized, controlled trial. Stroke. 32(3):707-13, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In small trials with control groups that receive
no intervention, acupuncture has been reported to improve functional
outcome after stroke. We studied effects of acupuncture and transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation on functional outcome and quality of life
after stroke versus a control group that received subliminal
electrostimulation. METHODS: In a multicenter randomized controlled trial
involving 7 university and district hospitals in Sweden, 150 patients with
moderate or severe functional impairment were included. At days 5 to 10
after acute stroke, patients were randomized to 1 of 3 intervention
groups: (a) acupuncture, including electroacupuncture; (b) sensory
stimulation with high-intensity, low-frequency transcutaneous electrical
nerve stimulation that induces muscle contractions; and (c) low-intensity
(subliminal) high-frequency electrostimulation (control group). A total of
20 treatment sessions were performed over a 10-week period. Outcome
variables included motor function, activities of daily living function,
walking ability, social activities, and life satisfaction at 3-month and
1-year follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, patients in each group were
closely similar in all important prognostic variables. At 3-month and
1-year follow-ups, no clinically important or statistically significant
differences were observed between groups for any of the outcome variables.
The 3 treatment modalities were all conducted without major adverse
effects. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with a control group that received
subliminal electrostimulation, treatment during the subacute phase of
stroke with acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
with muscle contractions had no beneficial effects on functional outcome
or life satisfaction.
2536. No Abstract
2537. No Abstract
2538. No Abstract
2539. Kemper KJ. Complementary and alternative medicine for children: does it work?. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 84(1):6-9, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
Paediatric use of complementary and alternative medicine is common and
increasing, particularly for the sickest children. This review discusses
the various options available including dietary supplements, hypnosis,
massage,
chiropractic, and acupuncture.
2541. Knight B. Mudge C. Openshaw S. White A. Hart A. Effect of acupuncture on nausea of pregnancy: a randomized, controlled trial.
Source
Obstetrics & Gynecology. 97(2):184-8, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare acupuncture with sham (placebo) acupuncture for
treatment of nausea of pregnancy. METHODS: In a subject- and
observer-masked, randomized, controlled trial in the maternity unit at
Exeter Hospital, we gave 55 women between 6 and 10 weeks' gestation
genuine, traditional-style acupuncture or sham treatment with a cocktail
stick on three or four occasions over 3 weeks. The main outcome measure
was nausea score, as determined by subject report on a visual analogue
scale in a daily diary. Anxiety and depression also were assessed.
RESULTS: Nausea scores decreased from a median of 85.5 (interquartile
range 71.25-89.75) to 47.5 (interquartile range 29.25-69.5) in the
acupuncture group and from 87.0 (interquartile range 73.0-90.0) to 48.0
(interquartile range 14.0-80.0) in the sham treatment group. There was
strong evidence of a time effect (P <.001) but no evidence of a group
effect (P =.9) or a group-time interaction (P =.8). Similarly, there was
evidence of time effects in scores for anxiety and depression but no group
differences. The study had a power of 95% to detect significant
differences in nausea scores. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture was as effective in
treating nausea of pregnancy as a sham procedure.
2542. No Abstract.
2543. Lampert N.Complementary and alternative medicine.Lancet. 357(9258):802, 2001 Mar 10.
2544. No Abstract.
2545. No Abstract.
2546. No Abstract.
2547. No Abstract.
2548. No Abstract.
2549. No Abstract.
2550. Mahady GB.Global harmonization of herbal health claims.Journal of Nutrition. 131(3s):1120S-3S, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Over the past decade, herbal medicine has become a topic of increasing
global importance, with both medical and economic implications. In
developing countries, as much as 80% of the indigenous populations depends
on traditional systems of medicine and medicinal plants as their primary
source of healthcare. Within the European Community, herbal medicines
represent an important share of the pharmaceutical market, with annual
sales in the range of US$7 billion. In the United States, the sale of
herbal products has skyrocketed from $200 million in 1988 to >$3.3 billion
in 1997. Such widespread use of botanicals throughout the world has raised
serious questions concerning the quality, safety and efficacy of these
products. Thus, accurate scientific assessment of herbal medicine is a
prerequisite for global harmonization of herbal health claims. In 1995, as
part of its overall global strategy of "Health for All" and due to
numerous requests from the member states, the Traditional Medicine Program
of the WHO began the extensive task of reviewing the world's scientific
literature of commonly used herbal medicines and publishing this
information in monographs. The WHO monographs are technical reviews of the
quality, safety and efficacy of commonly used herbal medicines and are
intended primarily to harmonize the proper use of herbal medicines
throughout the world. [References: 15]
2551. No Abstract.
2552. Marcus DM.How should alternative medicine be taught to medical students and
physicians?. Academic Medicine. 76(3):224-9, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Advocates of alternative medicine are critical of current medical
curricula, and have proposed fundamental changes, including the
introduction of "integrative medicine" programs to teach alternative
medicine. Medical educators have not replied to these criticisms, and have
not developed basic curricula in alternative medicine. The author analyzes
the alleged deficiencies in medical education, which are based on
misrepresentations of medicine and medical training. (For example, critics
state that physicians ignore mind-body interactions; in response, several
examples are given to show that training physicians to consider the whole
person and to identify and address emotional and social problems-the
biopsycho-social model-are central tenets of medical education.) The
author also examines fundamental differences between traditional and
alternative medicine (e.g., their different attitudes toward the
importance of evidence; the vitalistic versus the biomedical models of
health and disease) that are central to the issue of how alternative
medicine should be taught. He concludes that physicians need additional
education in order to provide guidance to patients, but teaching about
alternative medicine should be evidence-based, not merely the transmission
of unproven practices. [References: 69]
2553. No Abstract.
2554. Meenan R. Developing appropriate measures of the benefits of complementary and
alternative medicine. Journal of Health Services & Research Policy. 6(1):38-43, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is growing in popularity and
consumes increasing amounts of resources. Economic evaluations such as
cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) are intended to inform decision-makers
about the relative efficiency of different interventions, including CAM.
To be generalizable, economic evaluations should use the same metric to
assess health benefits--e.g. quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). However,
the recurrent conditions for which CAM is typically used suggest that the
health benefits of CAM will manifest themselves primarily as
quality-of-life improvements that appear in CEA as 'utilities' attached to
health states. Therefore, appropriate utility measures will be critical to
the production of valid CEAs of CAM therapies. Some economists assert that
the process of health care, as well as its outcome, can contribute to
patient utility. This essay argues that process utility is especially
relevant to CAM; accurate assessment of process utility will be important
to valid economic evaluations of CAM; existing utility assessment methods
do not directly account for process utility; and, therefore, techniques
such as qualitative analysis that can inform more appropriate and complete
assessments of the benefits of CAM should be explored. The heterogeneity
of CAM modalities suggests that the arguments made in this essay will
apply with similar force to economic evaluation of conventional therapies
with which CAM is likely to be compared. [References: 32]
2555. No Abstract.
2556. No Abstract.
2557. No Abstract.
2558. Mills SY. Regulation in complementary and alternative medicine. BMJ. 322(7279):158-60, 2001 Jan 20.
2559. Mishra L. Singh BB. Dagenais S. Ayurveda: a historical perspective and principles of the traditional healthcare system in India. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 7(2):36-42, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Ayurveda, the science of life, is a comprehensive medical system that has
been the traditional system of healthcare in India for more than 5000
years. This medical system was well established around 2500 to 600 BC,
when it evolved into 2 schools: the School of Physicians and the School of
Surgeons, similar to allopathy. Charak Samhita, Susrut Samhita, and
Ashtang Hridaya Samhita are the Senior Triad texts, and Madhav Nidan
Samhita, Sarangdhar Samhita, and Bhavprakash Samhita are the Junior Triad
texts. Around 600 BC. Ayurveda was branched into internal medicine;
pediatrics; psychiatry; surgery; eye, ear, nose, and throat; toxicology;
geriatrics; and eugenics/aphrodisiacs. The body is composed of 3 body
doshas, 3 mental doshas, 7 dhatus, and malas. The harmony among the body
doshas of vata (nervous system), pitta (enzymes), and kapha (mucus) and
the gunas, or mental doshas (which are human attributes: satogun [godly],
rajas [kingly], and tamas [evil]), constitutes health, and their
disharmony constitutes disease. The management of illness requires
balancing the doshas back into a harmonious state through lifestyle
interventions, spiritual nurturing, and treatment with herbo-mineral
formulas based on one's mental and bodily constitution.
2560. Mishra L. Singh BB. Dagenais S. Healthcare and disease management in Ayurveda. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 7(2):44-50, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Because the disharmony of mental doshas (satogun, rajogun, and tamogun)
and body doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) are the major cause of illness,
the goal of illness management in Ayurveda is to bring back harmony among
the doshas. The management includes clinical examination, diagnosis, and
dietary and lifestyle interventions and treatment. The clinical
examination consists of Astha Sthana Pariksha (8-point diagnosis:
pulse-diagnosis, urine, stool, tongue, voice and body sound, eye, skin,
and total body appearance examinations) and examination of the digestive
system and the patient's physical strength. The treatment consists of
cleansing (Panchkarma), palliation (improve digestion, remove toxic waste,
fasting, observe thirst, exercise, sunbathing, and meditation), mental
nurturing, and spiritual healing depending on the disturbed doshas and the
patient's constitution. The preferred use of bhasms and herbal formulas
over the respective metallic salts or the single herbs is discussed. This
review suggests a great potential for integration of Ayurvedic therapies
into the healthcare system in the United States. [References: 28]
2561. No Abstract.
2562. No Abstract.
2563. Moss RW.Complementary and alternative medicine. Lancet. 357(9258):803, 2001 Mar 10.
2564. No Abstract.
2565. No Abstract.
2566. Nahin RL. Straus SE. Research into complementary and alternative medicine: problems and potential. BMJ. 322(7279):161-4, 2001 Jan 20.
2567. Owen D. Lewith GT. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the undergraduate medical curriculum: the Southampton experience. Medical Education. 35(1):73-7, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We describe the planning, development and evaluation of a
special study module (SSM) on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
as part of the Southampton Medical School undergraduate curriculum. AIM:
To address how the module was received by students, the themes that
emerged, the effect on student attitudes to CAM and how the teaching aims
developed into learning objectives. METHOD: Student feedback
questionnaires and regular teaching staff meetings over a period of 3
years. RESULTS: The course resulted in a significant change in student
attitudes to CAM and was well received by the students. It offered a
reflective insight into conventional medicine. We have developed and
validated core teaching objectives. CONCLUSIONS: We hope that our well
validated and well received core teaching objectives will provide a
broadly applicable base for those who wish to run similar courses.
2568. Owen DK. Lewith G. Stephens CR. Can doctors respond to patients' increasing interest in complementary and alternative medicine?. BMJ. 322(7279):154-8, 2001 Jan 20.
2569. Park J. White AR. Ernst E. New sham method in auricular acupuncture. Archives of Internal Medicine. 161(6):894; discussion 895, 2001 Mar 26.
2570. Phillips KD. Skelton WD. Effects of individualized acupuncture on sleep quality in HIV disease. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. 12(1):27-39, 2001
Jan-Feb.
Abstract
Although it may begin at any point, sleep disturbance often appears early
in HIV disease and contributes to decreased quality of life during the
course of the illness. Relatively few studies have explored the complex
nature of poor sleep quality in HIV disease or tested interventions to
improve sleep quality. The purpose of this study was threefold: explore
the nature of sleep quality in HIV disease, test the relationship between
pain and sleep quality, and test the effectiveness of acupuncture
delivered in a group setting for improving sleep quality in those who are
HIV infected. A pretest, posttest, preexperimental design was used to test
the effects of acupuncture on sleep quality. Participating in the study
were 21 HIV-infected men and women between the ages of 29 and 50 years who
reported sleep disturbance three or more times per week and who scored
greater than 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The Wrist Actigraph
was used to measure sleep activity, and the Current Sleep Quality Index
was used to measure sleep quality for 2 nights before and after a 5-week
acupuncture intervention (10 treatments). Acupuncture was individualized
to address insomnia and other symptoms reported by the participants. Sleep
activity and sleep quality significantly improved following 5 weeks of
individualized acupuncture delivered in a group setting.
2571. No Abstract.
2572. Rahman K.Historical perspective on garlic and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Nutrition. 131(3s):977S-9S, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is a complex and multifactorial disease
characterized by such factors as high cholesterol, hypertension, reduced
fibrinolysis, increase in blood-clotting time and increased platelet
aggregation. Dietary therapy is the first step in the treatment of
hyperlipidemia; garlic has been used medicinally for centuries and is
still included in the traditional medicine of many cultures. Historically,
there has been great interest in the role of garlic in reducing
cardiovascular risk factors. Evidence from numerous studies points to the
fact that garlic can bring about the normalization of plasma lipids,
enhancement of fibrinolytic activity, inhibition of platelet aggregation
and reduction of blood pressure and glucose. However, some contradictory
results have also emerged as a result of methodological shortcomings, the
use of different formulations/preparations of garlic and different time
scales of the studies. Accordingly, further clinical studies are required
in which standardized formulations of garlic with known compositions can
be used. Such formulations (e.g., Aged Garlic Extract) are now available
and are being investigated. Evidence obtained from these studies indicates
that garlic has potential in the prevention and control of cardiovascular
disorders and is beneficial when taken as a dietary supplement.
[References: 29]
2573. Rajbhandari M. Wegner U. Julich M. Schopke T. Mentel R. Screening of Nepalese medicinal plants for antiviral activity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 74(3):251-5, 2001 Mar 3.
Abstract
In an ethnopharmacological screening, plants used in Nepalese traditional
medicine were evaluated for antiviral activity. Methanolic and
methanolic-aqueous extracts derived of 23 species were assayed in two in
vitro viral systems, influenza virus/MDCK cells and herpes simplex
virus/Vero cells. Two species, Bergenia ligulata and Nerium indicum showed
the highest antiinfluenzaviral activity with 50% inhibitory dose of 10
microg/ml. Holoptelia integrifolia and N. indicum exhibited considerable
antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus. None of these extracts
showed cytotoxic effects. Additionally for B. ligulata and H. integrifolia
partial protease inhibitory activity was estimated.
2574. No Abstract.
2575. No Abstract.
2576. Sampson W. The need for educational reform in teaching about alternative therapies. Academic Medicine. 76(3):248-50, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Advocacy and non-critical assessment are the approaches currently taken by
most U.S. medical schools in their courses covering what is commonly
called "complementary and alternative medicine" (CAM). CAM therapies are
anomalous practices for which claims of efficacy are either unproved or
disproved. The author's research indicates that most medical schools do
not present CAM material in a form that encourages critiques and analyses
of these claims. He presents the reasons for the unwarranted acceptance of
CAM. These include the CAM movement's attempt to alter standards of
evaluating therapies. A survey of CAM curricula in U.S. medical schools in
1995-1997 showed that of 56 course offerings related to CAM, only four
were oriented to criticism. The author's course at Stanford University
School of Medicine approaches CAM with the skepticism and critical
thinking appropriate for unproven therapies. The author concludes by
calling on all medical schools to include in their curricula methods to
analyze and assess critically the content validity of CAM claims.
2577. No Abstract.
2578. No Abstract.
2579. No Abstract.
2580. No Abstract.
2581. No Abstract.
2582. No Abstract.
2583. No Abstract.
2584. No Abstract.
2585. No Abstract.
2586. Suarez-Almazor ME. Kendall CJ. Dorgan M. Surfing the Net--information on the World Wide Web for persons with arthritis: patient empowerment or patient deceit? Journal of Rheumatology. 28(1):185-91, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In the past few years access to the Internet has become readily
available. Patients are increasingly seeking and obtaining health
information through the Internet, most often the World Wide Web (WWW). We
assessed the content, authorship, and scope of the information available
on WWW in relation to rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: In an attempt to
replicate use by the average person, a broad search of the Internet was
conducted for the phrase "rheumatoid arthritis" using WebCrawler, a
commonly used search engine. All the "hits" were critically assessed after
visiting and collecting information from the respective Web sites in
relation to relevance, scope, authorship, type of publication, and
financial objectives. RESULTS: The search returned 537 hits. We evaluated
531-2 did not exist, 2 could not be contacted, one was not in English, and
one required a membership to access. The 531 hits originated from 388 Web
sites. Only 198 (51%) were considered to be relevant and 7 (2%) were of
doubtful relevance. Thirty-four (17%) were posted by an individual, 57
(28%) by a nonprofit organization, 104 (51%) by a profit industry, and 10
(5%) by universities. Ninety-one (44%) promoted alternative therapies, the
most common including cetyl-myristoleate, colloidal minerals, Pycnogenol,
shark cartilage, and Tahitian Noni. Of the 107 sites with financial
interests, 76 (71%) promoted alternative medicine. The first 100 hits only
identified about a third of the nonprofit organizations or university
owned Web pages. CONCLUSION: Many sites easily accessed by consumers
appear to be profit based companies advertising an alternative product
claimed to be effective for many conditions. These findings emphasize the
need for critical evaluation of Web site contents.
2587. Tagliaferri M. Cohen I. Tripathy D. Complementary and alternative medicine in early-stage breast cancer. Seminars in Oncology. 28(1):121-34, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are becoming increasingly
popular in many medical situations, particularly among patients with
cancer. CAM encompasses a range of modalities including dietary and
vitamin supplements, mind-body approaches, acupuncture, and herbal
medicines. In contrast to standard chemotherapeutic and hormonal regimens
used for the adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer, controlled
clinical trials have generated few data on the relationship between CAM
and the outcomes of recurrence or survival, or even overall quality of
life and safety. The objectives of CAM treatments are manifold: the
reduction of toxicities of therapy, improvement in cancer-related
symptoms, enhancement of the immune system, and even a direct anticancer
effect. The primary basis of CAM rests on empirical evidence and case
studies, as well as theoretic physiologic effects. In some cases,
laboratory or clinical data lend support to these modalities. Some types
of CAM are based on ancient Oriental forms of medicine founded on
centuries of experience documented through oral and written text.
Nevertheless, the paucity of evidence in the clinical setting limits firm
conclusions about the effectiveness or safety of most CAM approaches in
breast cancer. This review will summarize the basis for the application of
certain CAM modalities in the therapy of early-stage breast cancer and
will highlight some of the directions of investigative work that could
lead to a rational integration of CAM into conventional adjuvant therapy.
[References: 108]
2588. Talalay P. Talalay P. The importance of using scientific principles in the development of medicinal agents from plants. Academic Medicine. 76(3):238-47, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
The authors review the major scientific milestones and the legislative
framework that have made possible the spectacular successes of many modern
therapies that trace their origins to plants. They emphasize that drugs
used in mainstream medicine, in contrast to most of those used in
alternative medicine, are required to meet stringent federal requirements
for purity, safety, and efficacy before they can be distributed to the
public, and that the necessary testing requires much time and effort. Yet
alternative medicines based on plant substances are extremely popular,
even though their safety and efficacy have not been scientifically proven.
Reasons for this are reviewed and numerous examples and case histories are
cited illustrating both successes in the scientific development of drugs
from plants and the dangers of unregulated drugs. Such drugs are more
easily available because of the deregulating effect of the 1994 Dietary
Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which has substantially
weakened the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure the
safety of dietary supplements. The authors describe the rigorous
scientific investigations of curcumin, from the ginger family, and of
sulforaphane, from crucifers, to illustrate the long and demanding
scientific process that is required to establish the safety and
effectiveness of potential drugs from plants. They re-emphasize the
necessity for strict scientific review of all drugs. They also recommend
that all providers of care be required to question patients about their
intakes of dietary supplements. The authors close by saying that the DSHEA
is "a disaster waiting to happen," but warn that any attempts to
strengthen current legislation will be opposed by special interests.
[References: 41]
2589. No Abstract
2590. Wang SM. Kain ZN. Auricular acupuncture: a potential treatment for anxiety. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 92(2):548-53, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for chronic anxiety disorders.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture
in reducing anxiety in a volunteer population. If found effective, this
modality could be introduced as a treatment of anxiety before surgery.
Adult volunteers (n = 55), were randomized to three treatment groups: a)
Shenmen group--bilateral auricular acupuncture at the "shenmen" point; b)
Relaxation group-bilateral auricular acupuncture at a "relaxation" point;
and c) Sham group-bilateral auricular acupuncture at a "sham" point.
Press-acupuncture needles were inserted at the respective auricular areas
for 48 h. State anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, and electrodermal
activity were assessed at 30 min, 24 h, and 48 h after insertion.
Analyzing anxiety levels using repeated-measures analysis of variance has
demonstrated a significant difference [F (2,51) =8.8, P = 0.001] between
the three treatment groups. Post hoc analysis demonstrated that patients
in the Relaxation group were significantly less anxious at 30 min (P =
0.007) and 24 h (P = 0.035) as compared with patients in both the Shenmen
group and the Sham group, and less anxious at 48 h (P = 0.042) as compared
with patients in Shenmen group. Repeated-measures analysis of variance
performed for electrodermal activity, blood pressure, and heart rate
demonstrated no group differences (P = ns). We conclude that auricular
acupuncture at the "relaxation" point can decrease the anxiety level in a
population of healthy volunteers.
2591. Weiss SJ. Takakuwa KM. Ernst AA. Use, understanding, and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicines among emergency department patients. Academic Emergency Medicine. 8(1):41-7, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the extent of complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) use among emergency department (ED) patients, to evaluate
patients' understanding of CAMs, and to determine gender differences in
beliefs about CAMs. METHODS: This study was a convenience sampling of
patients seen in an urban ED. Patient demographics were recorded. A
questionnaire was administered that assessed patients' knowledge and use
of CAMs. Patients were also asked about their beliefs on safety,
medication interactions, and conveying information about these substances
to their physicians. RESULTS: A total of 350 ED patients were included in
the study; 87% had heard of at least one of the CAMs. There was no
difference between genders or races concerning knowledge about CAMs. The
most commonly known CAMs were ginseng (75%), ginkgo biloba (55%),
eucalyptus (58%), and St. John's wort (57%). Forty-three percent of the
responders had used CAMs at some time and 24% were presently using CAMs.
The most commonly used CAMs were ginseng (13%), St. John's wort (6%), and
ginkgo biloba (9%). All CAMs were considered to be safe by 16% of the
patients. Only 67% would tell their doctors they were using CAMs. Females
were more likely than males to believe that CAMs do not interact with
other medications (15% vs 7%, difference 8%, 95% CI = 2% to 15%).
CONCLUSIONS: Complementary and alternative medicines are familiar to most
patients and used by many of them. Despite this, a large percentage of
patients would not tell their physicians about their use of alternative
medications. Emergency medicine providers should be aware of the commonly
used CAMs, and questions about their use should be routinely included in
ED exams.
2592. No Abstract
2593. No Abstract
3010. Bertone JJ. More views
on complementary and alternative medicine.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 218(6):854-5, 2001 Mar 15.
3016.
Chen F. Dai
Q. Dr. Sheng Xiesun's experience in
acupuncture techniques. Journal of
Traditional Chinese Medicine.
21(1):39-42, 2001 Mar.
3019. Danielsson I. Sjoberg I.
Ostman C. Acupuncture for the treatment of vulvar vestibulitis: a pilot
study. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica
Scandinavica. 80(5):437-41, 2001 May.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to
obtain a preliminary indication of the effectiveness of acupuncture in the
treatment of vulvar vestibulitis but also to obtain information how well the
women tolerate the treatment. METHODS: Fourteen young women with vulvar
vestibulitis according to Friedrich's criteria were enrolled in the study and
13 fulfilled the acupuncture treatment a total of 10 times. For evaluation
quality of life (QOL) assessments were made before starting the treatment and
then at one week and at three months after it was completed. RESULTS: The
treatment was well tolerated and the QOL measurements were all significantly
higher after both the last acupuncture and three months later, compared to
before the treatment was started. CONCLUSION: The results seem promising, but a
larger controlled randomized study should be carried out before the treatment
can be recommended for use in clinical practice.
3022.
Du L. Pseudobulbar paralysis
treated by acupuncture--clinical observation in 36 cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 21(1):12-5, 2001 Mar.
3023.
Ernst E. Marketing studies and
scientific research must be distinct.BMJ.
322(7296):1249, 2001 May 19.
3024.
Ernst E. Intangible risks of complementary and alternative medicine. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 19(8):2365-6, 2001 Apr 15.
3030. Gurung RA. Mehta V. Relating ethnic identity,
acculturation, and attitudes toward treating minority clients. Cultural
Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology.
7(2):139-51, 2001 May.
3033.
Hu J.
Acupuncture treatment of herpes zoster. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. 21(1):78-80, 2001 Mar.
3037.
Karpman RR.
Musculoskeletal disease in the United States: who provides the care?.
Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research.
(385):52-6, 2001 Apr.
Abstract
Musculoskeletal care is a big business in
the United States. It is estimated that the cost of musculoskeletal care is in
excess of $215 billion per year. Although orthopaedic surgeons are responsible
for providing musculoskeletal care, a significant proportion of care is
rendered by other healthcare providers including primary care physicians,
neurosurgeons, physiatrists, podiatrists, physical therapists, and a cadre of
alternative care providers including chiropractors, acupuncture specialists,
and naturopaths. The purpose of the current study is to provide data regarding
the provision of musculoskeletal care by those other than orthopaedic surgeons
to determine what, if any, concerns exist among other providers regarding
manpower issues, and to suggest alternatives for orthopaedic surgeons to
maintain or perhaps increase their proportion of musculoskeletal care in the
United States.
3038. Kemper
KJ. Complementary and alternative medicine for children: does it work?.
[Review] [60 refs] Archives of Disease in Childhood. 84(1):6-9, 2001 Jan.
Abstract
Paediatric use
of complementary and alternative medicine is common and increasing,
particularly for the sickest children. This review discusses the various
options available including dietary supplements, hypnosis, massage, chiropractic,
and acupuncture. [References: 60]
3039. Kerr
DP. Walsh DM. Baxter GD. A study of the
use of acupuncture in physiotherapy.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
9(1):21-7, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This two-phase study was
designed to establish the current use of acupuncture within physiotherapy and
to determine the opinions of those who received acupuncture therapy. DESIGN:
Retrospective study and questionnaire survey. PATIENTS: Patients who attended
an outpatient physiotherapy department over a 2-year period (phase 1,
retrospective study of clinical records; n = 599). Patients who had received
acupuncture treatment from outpatient physiotherapy (phase 2, patient survey; n
= 200). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patient records and questionnaire. RESULTS: The
patients who attended for outpatient physiotherapy were categorized into three
main groups: low back pain, cervical/thoracic spine problems and soft-tissue
injuries of peripheral joints. Acupuncture appeared to be used as a secondary
form of treatment for these conditions, where other modalities failed rather
than being used for best effect. The response rate to the questionnaire was
78%, of whom 60% stated that they had experienced pain relief following their
acupuncture therapy, and 31% were still experiencing pain relief. The majority
had achieved sufficient relief to carry out daily activities at home (80%) and
at work (57%). Ninety-four per cent of respondents were either 'satisfied' or
'very satisfied' with their treatment. CONCLUSION: Further investigation is
required to adequately assess the efficacy of acupuncture as a pain-relieving
modality.
3040.
Kolasinski SL. Complementary and alternative therapies
for rheumatic disease. [Review] [17 refs] Hospital Practice (Office
Edition). 36(4):31-6, 39, 2001 Apr 15.
Abstract
Patients with
rheumatic disease are turning to complementary and alternative therapies in
growing numbers. Many of these therapies have a long history of apparent safety
and efficacy but have not been adequately tested in controlled trials. To aid
physicians in guiding patients' decisions, the most frequently used products
and practices are reviewed. [References: 17]
3044. Li J.
First Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou
510630, Guangdong Province. Forty-five cases of apoplexy treated by
electroacupuncture at the points of yin meridians. Journal of Traditional
Chinese Medicine. 21(1):20-2, 2001 Mar.
Abstract
Forty-five
cases of apoplexy were treated by electroacupuncture only at the points of Yin
Meridians (i.e. the Hand- and Foot-Taiyin Meridians), and the other 30 cases as
the controls were treated only at the points of Yang Meridians (i.e. the Hand-
and Foot-Yangming Meridians). The total effective rate was 91.1% in the former
and 86.7% in the latter, with no statistically significant difference between
the two groups, indicating that acupuncture only at the points of Yin-Meridians
is also an effective therapy for apoplexy.
3045.
Liao M. Twenty-eight cases of neuritis of lateral
cutaneous nerve of thigh treated by acupuncture and point-injection. Journal of
Traditional Chinese Medicine.
21(1):29-30, 2001 Mar.
3052.
Middlekauff HR. Yu JL. Hui K.
Acupuncture effects on reflex responses to mental stress in humans.
American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative & Comparative
Physiology. 280(5):R1462-8, 2001 May.
Abstract
In animal
studies, acupuncture has been shown to be sympathoinhibitory, but it is unknown
if acupuncture is sympathoinhibitory in humans. Nineteen healthy volunteers
underwent mental stress testing pre- and postacupuncture. Muscle sympathetic
nerve activity (MSNA), blood pressure, and heart rate during mental stress were
compared pre- and postacupuncture. Control acupuncture consisted of acupuncture
at nonacupoints and "no-needle" acupuncture. Acupuncture had no
effect on resting MSNA, blood pressure, or heart rate. After real acupuncture,
the increase in mean arterial pressure (pre- vs. postacupuncture 4.5 vs. 1.7
mmHg, P < 0.001), but not MSNA or heart rate, was blunted during mental
stress. Similarly, following nonacupoint acupuncture, the increase in mean
arterial pressure was blunted during mental stress (5.4 vs. 2.9 mmHg, P <
0.0003). No-needle acupuncture had no effect on these variables. In conclusion,
acupuncture at traditional acupoints, nonacupoints, and no-needle acupuncture
does not modulate baseline MSNA or MSNA responses to mental stress in normal
humans. Acupuncture significantly attenuates the increase in blood pressure
during mental stress. Needling nonacupoints, but not "no-needle"
acupuncture, have a similar effect on blood pressure.
3053. Milton D. Educating staff about CAM. Health Forum Journal. 44(3):45,
2001 May-Jun.
3056. Noble RE. Initiating a urinary stream. Western Journal of Medicine. 174(2):98, 2001 Feb.
3057.
Odsberg A.
Schill U. Haker E. Acupuncture treatment: side effects and
complications reported by Swedish physiotherapists. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 9(1):17-20, 2001 Mar.
3058. Padilla R. Gomez V.
Biggerstaff SL. Mehler PS. Use
of curanderismo in a public health care system. Archives of Internal Medicine.
161(10):1336-40, 2001 May 28.
3065. Shang C. Electrophysiology of growth control and
acupuncture. [Review] [90 refs] Life Sciences.
68(12):1333-42, 2001 Feb 9.
Abstract
Bioelectric
fields have been shown to interact with morphogens and guide growth control.
The morphogenetic singularity theory published a decade ago suggests that
organizing centers have high density of gap junctions and high electrical
conductance. They are the singular points in morphogen gradient and bioelectric
field. A growth control system originates from a network of organizing centers
containing under-differentiated cells and retains its regulatory functions
after embryogenesis. The formation and maintenance of all the physiological
systems are directly dependent on the activity of the growth control system.
The evolutionary origin of the growth control system is likely to have preceded
all the other physiological systems. Its genetic blueprint might have served as
a template from which the newer systems evolved. The growth control signal
transduction is embedded in the activity of the function-based physiological
systems. The regulation of most physiological processes is through growth
control mechanisms such as hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, and apoptosis.
Acupuncture points, which also have high electrical conductance and high
density of gap junctions, originate from organizing centers. This theory can
explain the distribution and non-specific activation of organizing centers and
many research results in acupuncture. In several 'prospective blind trials',
recent research results have supported its corollary on the role of singularity
and separatrix in morphogenesis, the predictions on the high electric
conductance and the high density of gap junctions at the organizing centers.
These advances have broad implications in biomedical sciences. [References: 90]
3066.
Shang C. Emerging paradigms in mind-body medicine.
[Review] [102 refs] Journal of
Alternative & Complementary Medicine.
7(1):83-91, 2001 Feb.
Abstract
The emerging paradigms in medicine can be seen through mind-body interactions. Observations in many meditative traditions suggest a series of objective indicators of health beyond absence of disease. Several of the physical signs have been confirmed by research or are consistent with modern science. Further correlation with long term health outcome is needed. Integration of meditation with conventional therapy has enriched psychotherapy with parallels drawn between the Nine Step Qigong and Freudian developmental psychology. A unified theory of the chakra system and the meridian system widely used in traditional mind-body interventions and acupuncture is presented in terms of modern science based on the morphogenetic singularity theory. Acupuncture points originate from the organizing centers in morphogenesis. Meridians and chakras are related to the underdifferentiated, interconnected cellular network that regulates growth and physiology. This theory explains the distribution and nonspecific activation of organizing centers and acupuncture points; the high electric conductance of the meridian system; the polarity effect of electroacupuncture; the side-effect profile of acupuncture; and the ontogeny, phylogeny, and physiologic function of the meridian system and chakra system. It also successfully predicted several findings in conventional biomedical science. These advances have implications in many disciplines of medicine.
3074
- 3090. No abstract