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PubMed2006

Lifestyle, biomechanical, and bioenergetic complementary therapies in pediatric oncology.

After the diagnosis of cancer in a child is made, many families complement conventional medical care with lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, environment, and mind-body therapies. Biomechanical, bioenergetic, and other therapies are also sometimes sought. These include massage, chiropractic, acupuncture/acupressure, therapeutic touch, Reiki, homeopathy, and prayer. Some of these complementary therapies have well-established roles in cancer therapy for children, whereas others are controversial and require more research.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Complementary therapy and the midwife.

The UKCC recognises that midwives may become qualified in non-traditional therapies. One of the major difficulties for a practitioner advancing into a new field of practice is determining her/his competence. As new therapies develop, there is not initially the expertise to determine the accepted standards of care and practice. Vicarious liability depends on whether the midwife is acting in the course of her employment when she is carrying out the therapy. The midwife has a legal duty to respect the mother's wishes and choices. It is essential for the midwife to keep comprehensive, clear records on any agreement with the mother over the use of complementary therapies.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2005

Use of complementary therapies among breast and prostate cancer patients during treatment: a multisite study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the use of complementary therapies (CT) among breast and prostate cancer patients during active cancer treatment. The authors compared use and beliefs about the role of CT in cancer recovery. METHODS: A self-report survey was completed by 126 breast cancer patients and 82 prostate cancer patients as part of a multisite research project. The self-report questionnaire inquired about the use of various CTs, sources of information about CT, reasons for using CT, beliefs about the benefits and risks of CT, demographic characteristics, and cancer treatment history. RESULTS: Most of the respondents were older than 50 years, Caucasian, married, had attended or completed college, and were less than 1 year post-diagnosis. Prostate cancer patients were significantly older than the breast cancer patients (P < .001). Several differences emerged between the groups. Compared to the prostate cancer patients, significantly more of the breast cancer patients reported using CT because they wanted to reduce the risk of recurrence (P < .01), play a more active role in recovery (P < .01), help manage stress (P < .01), take a more holistic approach (P < .01), or boost the immune system (P < .01). More of the prostate cancer patients reported using CT to have more control of their recovery (P < .05). The 2 groups also differed significantly (P < .01) on several beliefs about the potential benefits and risks of using CT. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients in this study had used some form of CT since the time of their diagnosis. Differences among breast and prostate cancer patients with regard to their use of CT during cancer treatment should be considered by oncology professionals who are discussing this topic with their patients.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complementary therapies as adjuncts in the treatment of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression affects an estimated 13% of women who have recently given birth. This article discusses several alternative or complementary therapies that may serve as adjuncts in the treatment of postpartum depression. The intent is to help practitioners better understand the treatments that are available that their clients may be using. Complementary modalities discussed include herbal medicine, dietary supplements, massage, aromatherapy, and acupuncture. Evidence supporting the use of these modalities is reviewed where available, and a list of resources is given in the appendix.

Acupuncture↗
PubMed1999

Complementary therapies and traditional Judaism.

In Jewish tradition, physicians are obligated to heal the sick and patients are obligated to seek healing from physicians. Judaism also sanctions certain complementary therapies such as prayers, faith healing, and amulets, when used as supplements to traditional medical therapy. Confidence in the healing powers of God through prayer and contrition is encouraged, provided that the patient uses prayer alongside traditional scientific medicine, not as a substitute for it.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2000

Considering the alternatives: a special study module in complementary therapy.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to describe the motivation, experience and attitude change of 21 undergraduate medical students who chose a special study module in complementary therapy (CT). DESIGN: Survey; self-administered questionnaire before and after the module. SETTING: Second year medical students' course special study module in CT concentrating on homeopathy at The University of Birmingham Medical School, UK. RESULTS: Twenty questionnaires were completed at each time point with 19 sets of paired data. Students saw the module as offering a rare opportunity to examine and evaluate non-orthodox therapies. Eleven students had personal experience of a CT prior to the module, but there was a wide range of student attitudes from 'scepticism' to 'acceptance'. Students tended to rate the efficacy of CT as a whole, and homeopathy in isolation, similarly (P = 0.005). This trend was less marked at the end (P = 0.077). On both occasions CT was rated higher. Individual student's ratings moved in both directions. Twelve students considered learning and practising a CT, most commonly acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of UK undergraduate medical curricula has begun to incorporate non-core components through special study modules. The Birmingham CT module was popular and attracted students with a range of initial attitudes. We have demonstrated that it allowed a process of discernment about the value and role of CT within the established medical system whilst maintaining heterogeneity of opinion.

Attitude↗
PubMed1998

Usage of complementary therapies in rheumatology: a systematic review.

Complementary medicine (CM) is more popular than ever before. Rheumatology patients seem particularly keen to try CM. In this paper, surveys on rheumatology patients' use of CM are reviewed. The issues of perceived effectiveness, safety and costs are also addressed. In addition surveys of doctors' attitudes towards CM in rheumatology are summarised. Fourteen surveys on patients' use of CM and three on patients' attitudes towards CM were found and analysed. The results imply that the prevalence of CM varies between 30% and nearly 100%. Overall, patients perceive CM as being moderately effective. The survey contains only few data on adverse events of CM as perceived by these patients; collectively they suggest that adverse events are uncommon. Data on costs are similarly sparse; they imply that expenditure for CM is rarely high. Physicians seem to be more sceptical about CM than are their patients. It is concluded that, on average, CM is frequently used by rheumatology patients. The patients' level of satisfaction with CM is often considerable and few adverse effects are being reported. On the basis of these findings, a rigorous investigation of the effectiveness, safety and costs of CM in rheumatology seems desirable.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1997

Complementary therapies in Iceland.

In general, complementary health is blossoming in Iceland, although, as in other countries, many people do not realize the full potential of the different therapies in terms of the range of ailments that can be treated. Reflexology and other types of massage are probably the most popular therapies, but there is a general awareness of herbal medicine and the use of vitamin and mineral supplements.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed1997

Alternative & complementary therapies: focus on epilepsy.

Many patients continue to search for ways to gain better control of their seizures and improve the quality of their lives. While nontraditional therapies are used by many, a clearer understanding of the benefits and risks of each therapeutic option is needed. Appropriately utilized, complementary therapies can play an integral part in patient-centered comprehensive epilepsy care.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2000

The effects of massage therapy alone and in combination with other complementary therapies on immune system measures and quality of life in human immunodeficiency virus.

OBJECTIVES: Determine effects of massage therapy alone and in combination with exercise or stress management-biofeedback treatment on enumerative immune measures, and quality of life in moderately immunocompromised human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) subjects. DESIGN: Randomized prospective controlled trial with 42 subjects randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups or a control group receiving standard care and intervention over a 12-week period. SETTING: Academic medical center. SUBJECTS: Forty-two (42) subjects with HIV infection (40 males; 2 females; aged 27-50 years) met eligibility requirements of CD4+ lymphocyte cell count greater than 200 cells per microliter; no present or recent signs or symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and were not hospitalized. INTERVENTIONS: A 45-minute overall body massage once per week; similar massage and supervised aerobic exercise 2 other days per week; similar massage and biofeedback stress management once per week; control receiving standard treatment. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in peripheral blood levels of CD4+ lymphocytes, CD8+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio and natural killer cells; six dimension quality-of-life assessment. RESULTS: No significant changes (p > 0.05) were found in any enumerative immune measure. Significant (p < 0.05) differences for quality-of-life assessment were in health care utilization and health perceptions, favoring massage and stress management compared to massage only and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Massage administered once per week to HIV-infected persons does not enhance immune measures. Massage combined with stress management favorably alters health perceptions and leads to less utilization of health care resources. This suggests that HIV-infected persons receiving massage and stress management would tend to not overutilize health care services, thus possibly reducing health care costs.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Complementary therapy practice: defining the role of advanced nurse practitioners.

The purpose of the study was to identify the current and perceived clinical role functions of advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) within the complementary health paradigm and their learning needs. Participants were asked to identify their referral practices to complementary practitioners, current and perceived clinical activities with respect to six most popular complementary therapies, learning needs and concerns regarding their use. A random sample of 389 ANPs registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario participated in a mailed survey using a modified Dillman approach, an established method for improving response rate through repeated mailings. An overall response rate of 55.3% (215 out of 389 eligible participants) was achieved. The results show that ANPs are currently engaged in clinical activities involving these therapies, with a trend towards more participation in assessing the need for them and counselling on the risks and benefits. ANPs are interested in validating the use of these therapies and acquiring more knowledge on the scientific principles, evidence of efficacy, pharmacology and potential interactions with conventional medicine.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A program on complementary therapies for long-term care nursing assistants.

Nursing assistants (NAs) receive insufficient support in the face of heavy workloads and challenging job demands. This article describes a course on complementary therapies (CTs) intended to improve NAs' quality of life by helping them plan, develop, implement, and evaluate CTs. Future studies may examine the impact, if any, such courses have on recruitment and retention.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Complementary therapies and nursing research: issues and practicalities.

This paper explores the issues which nurses face in attempting to use research-based literature and when conducting research in the field of complementary therapies. Despite the significant interest amongst nurses in using such therapies, there can be difficulties in gaining access to such literature and using it to inform practice. Rising standards of accountability create expectations for nurses to draw on sources of information which inform safe and effective practice. The issue is examined and illustrated by looking at the example of nurses use of essential oils. Strategies are explored to help nurses to practice in an informed way and to engage in research activity in this area. This article is based on a paper given at the Research Council for Complementary Medicine Conference 'Research from Concept to Publication', at the Royal Society of Medicine, London 1993.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2005

Complementary therapies for peripheral arterial disease: systematic review.

While peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects a considerable proportion of patients in the primary care setting, there is a high level of use of complementary treatment options. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of any type of complementary therapy for peripheral arterial disease. A systematic review was performed. Literature searches were conducted on Medline, Embase, Amed, and the Cochrane Library until December 2004. Hand-searches of medical journals and bibliographies were conducted. There were no restrictions regarding the language of publication. The screening of studies, selection, data extraction, the assessment of methodologic quality and validation were performed independently by the two reviewers. Data from randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which based their findings on the results of randomized controlled trials were included. Seven systematic reviews and meta-analyses and three additional randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The evidence relates to acupuncture, biofeedback, chelation therapy, CO(2)-applications and the dietary supplements Allium sativum (garlic), Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo), omega-3 fatty acids, padma 28 and Vitamin E. Most studies included only patients with peripheral arterial disease in Fontaine stage II (intermittent claudication). The reviewed RCTs, systematic reviews and meta-analyses which based their findings on the results of RCTs suggest that G. biloba is effective compared with placebo for patients with intermittent claudication. Evidence also suggests that padma 28 is effective for intermittent claudication, although more data are required to confirm these findings. For all other complementary treatment options there is no evidence beyond reasonable doubt to suggest effectiveness for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Arteries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Parents' decision-making preferences in pediatric oncology: the relationship to health care involvement and complementary therapy use.

This study investigated how parents' preferred level of control in treatment decision-making is related to their personal health care involvement and to their decision to use complementary therapies (CTs) for their child. One hundred-eighteen parents of pediatric oncology patients completed an anonymous CT survey. The Krantz Health Opinion Survey (KHOS) was used to determine parents' preferred involvement in personal health care, and the Control Preferences Scale for Pediatrics (CPS-P) measured preferred role in pediatric treatment decision-making. Unlike previous studies of adult cancer patients, most parents preferred active or collaborative decision-making. The KHOS and CPS-P were significantly correlated, indicating that parents' preferred role in children's treatment decisions was related to their own personal health care involvement. Forty-six percent of parents used CTs for their child, and 33% began using a new CT after diagnosis. The hypothesized relationship between CT use and parents' own health care involvement was partially supported. Preference for control in decision-making was not associated with CT use. These findings provide validation for the newly developed CPS-P and indicate that parents' decisions to use CT for their child are related in part to individual health care preferences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Ligustrazine and Salvia miltiorrhiza injection solution in complementary therapy of pregnancy-induced hypertension: clinical analysis of 60 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of ligustrazine and Salvia miltiorrhiza injection solutions in the complementary therapy of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS: Sixty patients with PIH were equally divided into 2 groups to receive intravenous infusion of 80 mg ligustrazine and 16 ml Salvia miltiorrhiza injection solution respectively, in addition to the conventional therapies. The effects of the two complementary treatments were compared. RESULTS: After a treatment course of 10 days, ligustrazine produced obvious effect in inhibiting fibrinolysis and promoting microcirculation of the patients. Salvia miltiorrhiza injection resulted in obvious reduction of blood viscosity, cholesterol and lipoprotein. CONCLUSION: Ligustrazine and Salvia miltiorrhiza injections produce obvious therapeutic effects on PIH, but they are used for different clinical purposes as their in pharmacological action difference.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between research and service development: an illustrative example of a pilot study introducing complementary therapies into primary care.

In this paper the commissioners of an evaluation and the researchers jointly review the relationship between research and service development at a local level in an evaluated health authority pilot project to introduce complementary therapies into primary care. The article discusses the importance of organisational arrangements between the research and the service development, focusing on the close working relationship between researchers and stakeholders in the research and corresponding service development. The relationship between the research and service development was not linear and the benefits were not based solely on outcomes of the treatment but also on the ways the evaluation gave insight into how the pilot service was delivered. Factors such as personal commitment to the project and close working relationships by all concerned are important. These elements are rarely emphasised but have to be taken into account if evidence-based health care is to achieve its potential.

Complementary Therapies↗