Integrative Korean medicine treatment for low back pain with radiculopathy caused by Bertolotti syndrome: A CARE-compliant article and retrospective review of medical records.

RATIONALE: Bertolotti syndrome (BS) is characterized by radiculopathy caused by structural anomalies. Despite the structural deformity, conservative treatment is predominantly recommended due to surgery-related complications. Because of the diagnosis complexity, the incidence and contributing factors of BS, remain controversial. We report the case of a patient with BS who was treated with integrative Korean medicine (IKM). Moreover, we evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) from medical records of patients diagnosed with LSTV at 4 different medical clinics of Korean medicine. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 33-year-old male patient with low back pain and severe radiculopathy was diagnosed with BS (Castellvi Type II) on magnetic resonance imaging at a local orthopedic clinic. Additionally, the medical records of patients with BS who had been treated with IKM in 4 different institutions of Korean medicine were analyzed, and the characteristics of patients suffering from BS were identified. DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES: The patient underwent IKM treatment for 40 days as an inpatient. The patient's condition was assessed using the Euroqol 5-dimension index and Oswestry Disability Index, and symptom severity was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale. IKM was effective in improving pain and functional disability without causing any adverse effects. In a retrospective review of medical records, the study identified symptom trends reported by patients with LSTV. LESSONS: IKM demonstrates potential efficacy in BS management, with notable trends in LSTV-related symptomatology warranting further investigation.

Saúde mental e os animais

Oncology researchers' and clinicians' perceptions of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine: an international, cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) has become an increasingly popular supportive therapy option for patients with cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate how researchers and clinicians in the oncology field perceive CAIM. METHODS: We conducted an online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey for researchers and clinicians who have published their work in oncology journals that are indexed in MEDLINE. The link to the survey was sent to 47, 991 researchers and clinicians whose contact information was extracted from their publications. The survey included various multiple-choice questions, and one open-ended question at the end to allow for any additional comments. RESULTS: 751 respondents completed the survey, and they mostly identified themselves as researchers (n = 329, 45.13%), or as both researchers and clinicians (n = 332, 45.45%) in the field of oncology. Over half of the respondents perceive mind-body therapies (n = 354, 54.97%) to be the most promising CAIM category with regards to the prevention, treatment, and/or management of diseases related to oncology, and many respondents agreed that most CAIM therapies are safe (n = 218, 37.39%), and that clinicians should receive training on CAIM therapies via formal (n = 225, 38.59%) and supplemental education (n = 290, 49.83%). However, many respondents were unsure when asked if most CAIM therapies are effective (n = 202, 34.77%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study demonstrated great current interest in the use of CAIM in oncology. This information can serve as a foundation for conducting additional research and creating customized educational materials for researchers and clinicians in oncology.

Photovoice for leveraging traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine amongst black adults to improve sleep health and overall health.

Introduction: Average adults are recommended to have 7-8 h of sleep. However insufficient sleep (IS defined as <7 h/nightly) is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM), a burgeoning area of research and practice, leverages both modern and traditional approaches to improve health. Despite TCIM's recognition as a tool to improve sleep and related outcomes, there is a gap in literature in addressing its impact among black individuals, who experience a disproportionate burden of IS and chronic disease. This qualitative study aimed to increase understanding of TCIM practices to overcome IS and overall health in black communities. Methods: Using photovoice methodology, a qualitative tool which applies community-engaged principles to produce culturally informed results through interviews and digital media, consented participants were recruited from Miami, Florida and (1) instructed to capture images over one week that communicated their TCIM to improve sleep and overall health on their mobile device; (2) interviewed using individual, semi-structured procedures to add "voice" to the "photos" they captured for ~20 min; and (3) invited to participate in follow-up focus groups for refined discussion and data triangulation for ~1.5 h. Both individual and focus group interviews were conducted over Zoom with recordings transcribed for formal content analysis using Nvivo software. Results: The sample included N = 25 diverse US black individuals (M = 37, SD = 13, range 21-57). Approximately a quarter of the sample were unemployed (N = 7) and majority were women (N = 21). Results highlighted five themes including: (1) natural wellness (sleep supplements, comfort beverages, aromatherapy, herbalism, outdoors); (2) self-care (self-maintenance, physical activity, spatial comfort); (3) leisure (pet support, play); (4) mental stimulation (mindfulness, reading); and (5) spiritual wellness (faith-based practices). Study results elucidate the heterogeneity of diverse US black individuals regarding sociocultural knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors. Conclusion: Addressing IS in black communities requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates cultural sensitivity, family and community dynamics, education, mental health support, and informed policymaking. Future studies should consider how sleep health literacy, stress appraisal, and coping strategies may vary by race/ethnicity for tailored intervention.

Integrative therapeutics for ocular surface disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Integrative medicine techniques are increasingly accepted into the treatment paradigm for many chronic disorders including eye disease. Over 71% of patients, including 67% of those with eye disorders, use some form of Integrative therapy. Physicians should be well versed in evidence-based therapies to know how to refer patients for the best complimentary care. We highlight the most effective integrative therapeutics from different complementary treatment paradigms to offer a framework for approaching therapy in patients with ocular surface disorders (OSDs). RECENT FINDINGS: Lifestyle and behavioral modifications help a proportion of people with OSDs like dry eye disease and allergic conjunctivitis, which are interrelated disorders. Nutrition and supplementation can also play a role in addressing underlying inflammation and improving OSD symptoms. Acupuncture and traditional herbal medicine may also benefit some patients. New technologies offer innovative treatment pathways in the treatment of OSD but require referral to Ocular Surface Treatment Centers. SUMMARY: Integrative treatment approach for OSD incorporates allopathic medicine, traditional remedies and lifestyle behavioral interventions, Ayurveda and herbal medicine, Nutritional Supplements, Homeopathy, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. New cutting-edge technologies offer breakthroughs in difficult to treat ocular surface cases. Collaboration between allergy or otolaryngology offices, complementary practitioners, as well as optometrists and ophthalmologists in Ocular Surface Treatment Centers can offer patients new avenues of treatment.

The Invisibility of Integrative and Complementary Practices in Primary Healthcare. / Invisibilidades das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares na Atenção Primária à Saúde.

Invisibility is an issue that requires more attention among healthcare professionals, as some activities in Primary Care go unnoticed. One example is the offer of complementary therapies, whose implementation has been frail and, consequently, can be overlooked in the Unified Health System. This study aims to understand the factors contributing to the public invisibility of Integrative and Complementary Practices in Primary Care. It is a descriptive, exploratory, and qualitative research involving semi-structured interviews with 20 professionals in the Metropolitan Region of Goiânia. Thematic content analysis was applied to the interviews, revealing elements indicating the public invisibility of these practices, such as insufficient discussion in team meetings, inconsistency in the recording in user files, and low prioritization in implementation. In the interviews, social humiliation, a product of public invisibility, can also be perceived due to overload, embarrassments, and lack of physical space for the provision of practices to the users. It is concluded that Integrative and Complementary Practices are often overlooked in Primary Care.

A invisibilidade é uma questão que necessita de maior atenção entre os profissionais de saúde, pois algumas atividades na Atenção Primária passam despercebidas. Um exemplo é a oferta de terapias complementares, cuja implementação tem sido frágil e, consequentemente, pode ser invisibilizada no Sistema Único de Saúde. Este estudo visa compreender os fatores que contribuem para a invisibilidade pública das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares na Atenção Primária. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, exploratória e qualitativa, envolvendo entrevistas semiestruturadas com 20 profissionais na Região Metropolitana de Goiânia. A análise de conteúdo temática foi aplicada às entrevistas, revelando elementos que indicam a invisibilidade pública dessas práticas, como a falta de discussão nas reuniões de equipe, a desuniformidade no registro nos prontuários dos usuários e a baixa priorização na implementação. Nas entrevistas, a humilhação social, produto da invisibilidade pública, também pode ser percebida devido à sobrecarga, constrangimentos e falta de espaço físico para a oferta das práticas aos usuários. Conclui-se que as Práticas Integrativas e Complementares são frequentemente invisibilizadas na Atenção Primária.

Integrative Korean medicine treatment for inpatients with osteoarthritis of the knee: An observational study.

The use of integrative Korean medicine treatment (IKMT) for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) has been reported previously; however, to date, no studies have investigated the long-term prognosis of these patients following IKMT for primary knee OA. We aimed to examine the long-term effects of IKMT in patients diagnosed with primary knee OA and receiving IKMT during hospitalization. This retrospective observational study, complemented by a follow-up survey, included patients with primary knee OA who received IKMT during hospitalization across 7 Korean medicine hospitals. The primary outcome was the Numerical Rating Scale knee-pain score, whereas the secondary outcomes were the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), EuroQol-5 dimension-5 level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), and Patient Global Impression of Change scores. Patients were evaluated at admission, discharge, and during follow-up. Of the 180 included patients, 81 responded to the survey. Compared with the corresponding values at admission, the Numerical Rating Scale score decreased by 2.44 (2.08-2.81) points at discharge and 1.89 (1.5-2.26) points at follow-up. Additionally, compared with their scores at admission, the WOMAC score decreased by 17.20 (13.68-20.71) points at discharge and 25.74 (22.22-29.26) points at follow-up, whereas the EuroQol-5 dimension-5 level questionnaire score improved by -0.15 (-0.18 to -0.12) points at discharge and -0.12 (-0.15 to -0.09) points at follow-up. The patients expressed high satisfaction with pharmacopuncture (65.4%), acupuncture (54.03%), physical therapy (35.8%), and herbal medicine (34.6%). Regarding Patient Global Impression of Change, 96.30% of the patients reported improvement. IKMT was effective in improving pain, functional disability, and quality of life in patients with primary knee OA. Its effects were maintained throughout the long-term follow-up period, and physical functions continuously improved.

Integrative personalized medicine care for adjustment disorder of a post-COVID-19 patient: A CARE-compliant case report.

RATIONALE: Depression is a common symptom in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, which can be diagnosed with post-COVID-19 depression or adjustment disorder (AD) of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Recently, there have been reports of treating post-COVID-19 syndrome with herbal interventions. However, there are no studies of AD of post-COVID-19 syndrome treated with an integrative approach. This is a CARE-compliant case report of a patient diagnosed with AD of post-COVID-19 syndrome and improved with integrative personalized medicine care (IPMC). PATIENT CONCERNS: An 84-year-old female patient presented symptoms of depression, insomnia, palpitations, and dyspepsia after COVID-19 diagnosis. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with AD due to COVID-19 according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with the IPMC approach: conventional Western drugs for symptom improvements with herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion therapies of traditional Korean medicine to enhance her general conditions. OUTCOMES: Depression, insomnia, palpitations, dyspepsia, and overall quality of life were assessed through various questionnaires before and after treatment. Scores notably decreased across depression scales, and insomnia severity improved significantly. After treatment, gastrointestinal symptoms vanished, and autonomic nervous system balance improved. Quality of life metrics also showed remarkable enhancement. LESSONS: This study is the first case report to demonstrate improvement in AD of post-COVID-19 symptoms using IPMC. It is noteworthy that the patient in this study tapered off their antidepressant medication after the treatment with the IPMC approach. Further studies are needed to establish more qualified evidence to show the effectiveness and safety of IPMC for AD of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Challenges and solutions in developing an objective and structured clinical examination for complementary and integrative medicine: A mixed-method approach.

This study explores the challenges encountered by developers when creating objective and structured clinical examination (OSCE) modules specifically for Korean medicine (KM). The complexity of developing pattern identification (PI) items, due to the lack of standardized materials and ambiguity in KM, was a primary focus. A mixed-method approach was utilized, including a survey, importance-performance analysis, and focus group interviews. Seven developers participated, creating a total of 21 OSCE modules. The main difficulties identified were in developing PI items, selecting appropriate cases, crafting realistic examination situations, determining scoring criteria, setting up checklists, and writing scenarios. Challenges were categorized into "case," "examination situation," "postexamination notes," "checklist," "scenario," "format," and "PI." The importance-performance analysis revealed improvements in module development capabilities with each iteration. For the future development of efficient OSCE modules, standardization of KM diagnostic methods and PI is essential. The study highlights the need for social and academic efforts, as well as support from the KM education community and schools, to address these challenges and enhance the development process.

A Virtual Functional Medicine-Based Interdisciplinary and Integrative Intervention for Gulf War Illness.

INTRODUCTION: The War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center at the VA New Jersey Health Care System (WRIISC-VANJ) serves as one of the three tertiary referral centers for combat deployed Veterans of all eras with medically unexplained or difficult-to-diagnose conditions that may be related to deployment-related exposures. Many of the Veterans seen at the WRIISC experience chronic multisymptom illness (CMI), also known as Gulf War Illness (GWI). Given the complexity and interconnectedness of symptoms, Veterans with GWI are often unlikely to produce meaningful results when addressing single symptoms. Further, Veterans with GWI often have co-morbid cognitive and behavioral health conditions (e.g., TBI, PTSD, Depression), which further compromise their self-efficacy in following treatment recommendations. Thus, the WRIISC-NJ, in collaboration with Wellness Solutions Group, developed a virtual Functional Medicine-based Interdisciplinary and Integrative Intervention to improve the health of Veterans by assisting them in implementing lifestyle changes. METHODS: The 6-month telehealth program included functional medicine assessments, nutrition and adaptive exercise coaching, mindfulness meditation and yoga, guest health lectures, character strength coaching, and targeted nutritional supplements. Aspects of the program were tailored to the unique clinical needs of each Veteran. Participants completed baseline and 6 month follow-up assessments of physical and emotional symptoms and overall functioning. Follow-up scores were compared with baseline data. RESULTS: The program was well received by Veterans with attendance across all offered sessions ranging from 70 to 100%. Further, at the end of the clinical pilot program, improvements were demonstrated in physical and mental health symptoms, intentional weight loss/gain, functional movement, and sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results demonstrate the possibility of creating positive health outcomes across multiple health indicators in medically complex combat-deployed Veterans. Our early success and participant enthusiasm for this clinical pilot program also illustrate an opportunity to provide individualized, innovative solutions for the evaluation and treatment of Veterans with GWI.

NatMed Pro

NatMed Pro (formerly known as Natural Standard) is a resource on dietary supplements, natural medicines, and complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies. The database is built on evidence, aiming to provide reliable and scientifically validated information. NatMed Pro compiles extensive data on a wide range of natural medicines and therapies. The database systematically identifies, evaluates, and applies scientific information to answer questions about natural medicines.

CAM CANCER - Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Cancer

CAM Cancer's database is an open-access, non-profit resource designed to provide the best available evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer care. It adheres to the latest Health On the Net’s standards for health online information (HONcode). There are summaries cover treatments, symptoms, and specific cancer types, making it a comprehensive resource for patients, healthcare providers, and researchers.

CAMbase - complementary and alternative medicine database

CAMbase is an online database system dedicated to complementary and integrative medicine. It contains a wide range of information on complementary and integrative medicine. There are Comprehensive information on various complementary medicine practices and treatments, evidence-based summaries on the efficacy and safety of different CAM therapies.

Cochrane Complementary Medicine

The Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field website, established in 1996, serves as a resource dedicated to supporting and promoting systematic reviews of complementary, traditional, alternative, and integrative health practices. This platform functions as a link between the Cochrane organization and the broader community, facilitating access to evidence-based information. Through its efforts, the website enhances the understanding and implementation of diverse health modalities, fostering an integrative approach to healthcare.

GlobInMed - Global Information Hub on Integrative Medicine

The Global Information Hub on Integrative Medicine (GlobInMed )is a global database focused on traditional and complementary medicine. It is includes scientific publications, details about educational courses, and various additional resources for registered users.

MOSAICO - database for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine and related therapies

MOSAICO is a database dedicated to Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) and related practices. It includes both conventional and non-conventional documents, focusing on the context of the Region of the Americas. The database provides technical-scientific information to support healthcare professionals, researchers, and students in the field of TCIM. MOSAICO compiles a wide range of documents on TCIM practices, offering a collection of technical-scientific literature.