The potential of arts therapies in Parkinson's disease rehabilitation: A comprehensive review.

Background and purpose: Parkinson's disease (PD) causes a decline in motor function, cognitive decline, and impacts the mental health of patients. Due to the high cost and side effects of conventional treatments, the medical community has begun to explore safer and more cost-effective alternative therapies. In this context, arts therapies have gained increasing attention as innovative treatments. This review plans to explore the role and potential of various arts therapies in the rehabilitation of PD patients by analyzing existing literature and case studies. Methods: This review comprehensively searched the literature in several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, to assess the effectiveness of different arts therapies in the rehabilitation of patients with PD. Results: From 3440 articles screened, 16 met the inclusion criteria. These studies included a variety of therapies, including music, meditation, yoga, art, dance, theatre, video games and play therapy. These different types of arts therapies had a positive impact on the motor, psychological and cognitive rehabilitation of PD patients, respectively. Conclusion: The existing literature highlights the great potential of arts therapies in the rehabilitation of people with PD, further confirming the efficacy of arts therapies in enhancing the motor, psychological and cognitive rehabilitation process of people with PD. In addition, this review identifies research gaps in the use of color therapy in PD rehabilitation and highlights the need for further exploration of various arts therapies modalities.

Integrative Oncology for High-Grade Glioma: A Case Report on the Combined Effects of Oncothermia and Complementary Therapies.

High-grade gliomas are aggressive brain tumors with a poor prognosis despite conventional treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Integrative oncology, combining conventional and complementary therapies, may offer additional benefits in managing these complex cases. We present a 68-year-old male farmer diagnosed with high-grade glioma in the left medial temporal lobe. The patient presented with severe headache, disturbed sleep, and anxiety, and experienced an episode of fever and seizure. He refused conventional radiation therapy due to concerns about side effects and opted for an integrative medicine protocol. This protocol included oncothermia, high-dose vitamin C therapy, hydrogen inhalation, ozone therapy, magnet therapy, fasting, acupuncture, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, yoga therapy, hydrotherapy, biologicals, and dietary modifications. The patient underwent 12 sessions of oncothermia over 24 days, combined with other integrative therapies. MRI scans before and after treatment showed a reduction in tumor size from 3.6 x 2.9 x 2.5 cm to 3.4 x 2.7 x 2.5 cm, corresponding to a 12% decrease in volume. Hematological parameters (complete blood count, liver function test, kidney function test, C-reactive protein), cancer markers (carcinoembryonic antigen, lactate dehydrogenase), and mental health indices (quality of life, survival rate) also showed significant improvement. The patient experienced no adverse events and reported enhanced quality of life. This case report suggests that an integrative oncology approach, combining oncothermia and various complementary therapies, may be an effective treatment option for high-grade gliomas, particularly for patients intolerant to conventional therapies. Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is necessary to validate these findings and determine the specific contributions of each therapy.

Antenatal education incorporating complementary medicine techniques for labour and birth to reduce the rates of epidural in primiparous women: A randomised control trial.

PROBLEM: Globally medical management of labour and birth has significantly increased, with epidurals attributed to the cascade of interventions. BACKGROUND: There are few randomised control trials that evaluate the effectiveness of antenatal education programs. A previous trial at two Australian hospitals found an antenatal program of integrative complementary therapies significantly reduced rates of interventions for low-risk primiparous women. AIM: To reduce rates of intervention in labour and birth, with a primary outcome of decreased epidural use during labour. METHODS: Low to moderate risk primiparous women were randomised at 24-36 weeks' gestation to the intervention group and standard care, or standard care alone. Clinical and psychological measures were analysed by intention-to-treat. Trial registration ACTRN12618001353280 FINDINGS: In total, 178 women participated (n = 88 intervention, n = 90 Standard care), demographic characteristics were similar between groups, almost half (49 %) reported a pre-existing medical condition, and wellbeing scores fell within the average range. Epidural use was lower in the intervention group (47.7% vs 56.7 %) with higher rates of vaginal birth (52.3% vs 42.2 %), however, no statistical differences for birth outcomes were found between groups. Attitude to childbirth scores were statistically higher for women who attended the intervention (59.1 vs 54.3 p00.001). DISCUSSION: Higher psychometric scores demonstrated women in the intervention group felt an increased sense of coping and control. Antenatal education that includes complementary therapies can reduce fear and improve attitudes about childbirth. CONCLUSIONS: Replicating study protocols enabled the generalisability of findings to a more diverse group of women, and data will contribute to a larger meta-analysis design to detect smaller treatment effects for operative birth.

Assessment of acupuncture's effectiveness in mitigating fatigue among patients afflicted with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fatigue is a pervasive and debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that severely impairs quality of life and daily functioning. This emphasizes the essential need for complementary therapies that go beyond conventional therapies. Although acupuncture is gaining popularity in MS management, there is a critical lack of rigorous research on its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, focusing on studies evaluating acupuncture's effectiveness in alleviating fatigue in MS patients. Key outcomes measured in the analysis included fatigue, quality of life, and disability. RESULTS: Six studies were included in the analysis, consisting of two observational studies and four randomized controlled trials. The analysis focused on evaluating acupuncture's efficacy in alleviating fatigue induced by MS. Despite variations in acupuncture protocols, outcome metrics, and control conditions, our meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture significantly reduces fatigue (MD: -0.92, 95 % CI: -1.36 to -0.47, p < 0.0001) and enhances quality of life (SMD: 0.91, 95 % CI: 0.07-1.74, p = 0.03), underscoring its potential as a therapeutic intervention in the management of MS. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis suggests a notable improvement in MS-related fatigue following acupuncture, both compared to controls and pre-treatment levels, positioning it as a potential adjunct therapy. However, the prevalent risk of bias in these studies necessitates further high-quality research, along with studies involving larger patient cohorts, to definitively ascertain acupuncture's efficacy and safety in this context.

Interprofessional education in traditional and complementary medicine: a scoping review.

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a teaching method that improves collaboration and communication across health professions. There are consistent reports of poor interprofessional collaboration and communication between conventional health professionals and traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) professions. The application of IPE within courses that provide training in TCM requires close examination. This research aimed to identify the state of the art in IPE in TCM teaching. A scoping review was conducted. Thirteen databases were searched to identify citations up to March 2021. Thirty articles were selected after filtering for relevance against the inclusion criteria. The included articles were categorized into four a priori categories: Knowledge and Attitudes of students and professionals about TCM and IPE; Competencies of IPE in TCM; Teaching about TCM using IPE and Challenges and Opportunities for IPE in TCM. Nineteen of the included articles reported empirical research and primarily presented the evaluation of IPE activities within TCM courses or workshops; six studies consisted of texts with propositions and theoretical analyses; and five were case/experiential reports of IPE and TCM interventions, with or without evaluation of results. The studies report all health science students (undergraduate and graduate) exposed to IPE demonstrate a decrease in prejudice and an increase in knowledge about TCM. A sense of partnership developed through the collaborative competencies common to IPE and TCM and integrated care of patients. IPE in the context of TCM has been used for fostering integrative health care through the collaborative work of professional teams. Implementing IPE in TCM teaching requires inclusion in the curriculum, primarily undergraduate and research training.

Correlates and patterns of using complementary health approaches among individuals with recent and longer-term cancer diagnoses: a US national cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To (1) describe and compare the prevalence of using of complementary health approaches, focusing on mind and body practices, and reasons for use among cancer survivors, and (2) examine characteristics associated with use among those with a recent and non-recent diagnosis of cancer compared to those without a previous cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Using data from the 2022 US National Health Interview Survey, prevalence estimates were derived for using any complementary health approach, by category (manipulative body-based [chiropractor, acupuncture, massage], creative [music therapy, art therapy], and mind-body [meditation, guided imagery, yoga]), and reasons for use. Regression models identified correlates of use among all participants and within cancer diagnosis subgroups. RESULTS: Among 26,523 adult participants, overall prevalence of using any complementary approach was similar amongst individuals with recent cancer (40.17%), non-recent cancer (37.75%), and no cancer diagnosis (37.93%). However, odds of use were higher amongst recent (OR = 1.37) and relatively long term (OR = 1.14) cancer survivors compared to those without a history of cancer in adjusted models (both p < 0.05). In cancer survivors, mind-body approaches were mostly used for general health purposes, whereas manipulative approaches were used for general health and pain management. Female sex, younger age, higher education and income were among the prominent variables associated with using complementary approaches. CONCLUSION: We present an important snapshot of the landscape of using complementary approaches, specifically mind and body practices, in adult cancer survivors in the US. Inequalities in access to these therapies may exist, as use remains highest amongst those with higher socioeconomic conditions. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Given the prevalence and potential benefits of complementary approaches among cancer survivors, there is a need to better understand their effectiveness, optimal use, and integration into cancer care. Further research is needed to understand and address access barriers that might exist amongst some cancer survivors.

Effect of Lavender Oil Leg Massage on Physical, Cognitive, and Psychological Variables of Patients with Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most important non-communicable risk factors that cause cardiovascular diseases. Complementary therapies including massage and aromatherapy are widely used in the management of HTN. However, studies on aromatherapy massage in HTN are limited. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lavender oil leg massage on physical (cardiopulmonary function), cognitive, and psychological variables of patients with HTN. Materials and methods: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial, comprising 100 HTN patients aged 44.99 ± 5.39 years who were recruited and randomly divided into the study group (SG) and control group (CG), was conducted. The SG received lavender oil leg massage, while the CG received supine rest for 20 min. Outcome variables like blood pressure (BP), pulse rate (PR), random blood sugar (RBS) level, oxygen saturation, pulmonary function, oral temperature, trail making test (TMT) A and B, and state anxiety and mindfulness were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: The within-group analysis showed a significant improvement in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, PR, RBS, TMT-A, TMT-B, and state mindfulness both in the SG and CG. However, a significant reduction in state anxiety was observed only in the SG unlike the CG. Moreover, the between-group analysis showed a significant improvement in state mindfulness and state anxiety in the SG compared to the CG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that lavender oil leg massage is effective in reducing BP and RBS, and improving cognitive function in hypertensive patients. In addition, it is more effective in reducing anxiety and improving mindfulness than rest in supine position in patients with HTN.

An Integrative Approach for Endometriosis-Related Pain.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common, severe symptom related to endometriosis. Despite this prominent feature, there is limited literature regarding its description and use of integrative treatment methods. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe endometriosis-related pain characteristics, severity, and association with an integrative approach encompassing pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was conducted using convenience sampling of adult women with endometriosis-related pain. Three questionnaires were utilized: a demographic and general health questionnaire, a visual analog pain scale (VAS), and the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ). RESULTS: Participants included 93 women with a mean general pain level of 6.2/10 (SD = 2.7) on the VAS. The total mean pain score on the SF-MPQ was 26.25/45 (SD = 10.1). Sixty-four women (68.8%) reported experiencing pain at the time of completion of the questionnaire (mean: 1.6/4, SD = 1.3). All participants utilized analgesia; those who used opioids reported a higher overall mean pain score of 2.3 (SD = 1.3) than patients who did not use opioids reported a mean of 1.4 (SD = 1.2; z = 9.59; P < .001). Present pain intensity was significantly higher for women using opioids than those not using opioids. In all, 77 women (82.8%) used integrative methods to alleviate the pain symptoms. Women who utilized nutritional therapy as part of the non-pharmacological method experienced lower mean (SD) overall pain (4.4 [2.5]) compared with patients who did not utilize nutritional therapy (6.75 [2.5]; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed to find evidence-based treatment options for women for integrative pain relief for endometriosis-related pain.

Varieties of silence - a mixed-methods study exploring reasons and justifications for nondisclosure of the use of complementary therapies to physicians in Finland.

BACKGROUND: In health care, two in three users of complementary therapies (CT) stay silent about their CT use. Disclosure of CT use to physicians is important for patient safety, participation, and shared decision-making. Common reasons for CT nondisclosure include patients´ expectations of physicians' unaccepting response to disclosure, physicians not asking, and patients believing it is unnecessary. This study aimed to increase understanding of patient silence. We investigated how the reasons for nondisclosure of CT use reported by CT users were associated with the frequency of CT disclosure and how these associations and reported justifications to keep silent reflect patient silence among the study participants. METHODS: This mixed-methods study used existing data from the non-probability-based online survey (n = 6802) targeted to CT users among the general population in Finland. A qualitative structured tabular thematic analysis was conducted for the selected 342 brief texts describing the reasons and justification for not telling physicians about CT use. The associations between the frequency of CT disclosure and the reasons for CT nondisclosure were analysed by crosstabulations and binary logistic regression analysis with SPSS (v28). RESULTS: Three types of patient silence were revealed. Avoidant silence illustrates the respondents coping with the fear of unwanted response from a physician and avoiding the expected negative consequences of CT disclosure. Precautionary silence exemplifies respondents striving to prevent the reoccurrence of previously experienced frustration of wishes to be seen and heard as CT users. Conditional silence portrays the self-confidence of respondents who assessed their need to disclose CT use to physicians on a case-by-case basis. CONCLUSIONS: Silence, for some patients, may serve as a way of warding off past and possible future fears and frustrations related to CT disclosure. It is important to recognise different types of patient silence related to CT disclosure to enhance patient participation and shared decision-making in health care. Efforts are needed to provide health policy decision-makers with information about CT users' lived experiences with CT communication in health care.

Efficacy of traditional Thai massage as adjunctive therapy in patients with major depressive disorder.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common mental ailment. Moreover, it is one of the most incapacitating medical conditions. Although antidepressant medication has traditionally been the mainstay of treatment, adjunctive therapy may provide therapeutic advantages that reduce the severity of depression. Methods: An experiment using randomization and control groups was undertaken. A total of forty-eight individuals diagnosed with severe depressive illness and undergoing antidepressant medication were selected and randomly assigned to either get traditional Thai massage (TTM) treatment, consisting of 90-minute sessions twice a week for eight weeks, or to be part of the control group, which continued with their regular daily activities. The main assessment tools used were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), and the Khon Kaen University Depression Inventory 14 (KKU-DI-14). Secondary outcomes, such as blood pressure (BP) and quality of life measured by The EuroQol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L), were assessed both before and after the first therapy, as well as at the last session at the 8th week. Results: The TTM group showed a statistically significant decrease in the HAM-D score within the eighth week of therapy compared to the control group (5.14 points, 95% confidence interval=2.92 to 7.37 points, P<0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that combining TTM with antidepressant medication may effectively reduce depression scores and improve quality of life scores.

Humanising childbirth - Maternity acupressure training for healthcare providers at the Fernandez Foundation Hospitals, Hyderabad, India. Evaluation of program delivery in one region of India.

BACKGROUND: Internationally, traditional medicine approaches are used to support humanised childbirth practices. Labour support issues in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), include limited resources, staffing, and escalating pharmaceutical interventions. There is a strong interest in evidence-based acupressure programs, however, training and experience to implement them is limited. Maternity professionals at the Fernandez Foundation (FF) including associated hospitals in the Hyderabad region, India, sought training in acupressure to support humanised childbirth. AIMS: To evaluate the implementation of the 'Acupressure for childbirth training program' at FF hospitals, up to 6-months post-training, including barriers and facilitators, as well as determining pregnancy and labour conditions for which the techniques are most useful. METHODS: Pre- and post-training, and 6-month surveys, were distributed to participants. RESULTS: Participants included a diverse group of 88 midwives, doulas, physiotherapists, educators and obstetricians. There were significant improvements in participant skills and knowledge, which persisted up to 6-months post-training (p<0.01). Participants indicated they were 'highly satisfied' with the training, and found it valuable, easy to implement, and reported extremely positive responses from women and support people. Facilitators to implementation included 'strategies and ideas', 'effectiveness of pain relief', and 'aiding labour progress'. Barriers included 'other staff and institutional challenges', 'needing more training', 'women's attitudes'. CONCLUSION: Acupressure training as part of a humanised approach to childbirth, demonstrates significant skill and knowledge gain, usefulness of training and skills, ease of implementation, and a highly positive reception within the clinical environment. Implementation of these practices should be widespread and supported by policy makers and clinicians.

An Overview of the Naturopathic Medicine Protocol Used in Inpatient Yoga and Naturopathy Hospitals in India: The Prakriti Shakti Protocol.

Naturopathic medicine is a popular form of complementary and alternative medicine systems practiced worldwide. This study provides an overview of a typical inpatient yoga and naturopathy protocol followed in India. Naturopathic medicine is commonly used in the management of certain lifestyle-related disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, endocrine disorders, and neurological disorders. Moreover, naturopathic medicine integrates different lifestyle medicine practices, such as yoga, diet, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and color therapy into its treatment plans. Moreover, India is one of the few countries that offer naturopathy treatments through inpatient hospitals. Although the clinical efficacy of naturopathic medicine practices in various pathological conditions has been confirmed, no studies have yet investigated the effectiveness of naturopathic medicines protocols in naturopathic inpatient settings. Naturopathic physicians use a set of philosophical principles when determining their therapeutic order and all therapies that upregulate physiological homeostasis.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CATs) in Nursing Education in Spanish Universities.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary therapies in the general population is increasing, so it is necessary to understand the training that health professionals receive in this type of therapy in their training plans, as they are often the primary source of information for patients. Our aim was to investigate Spanish universities that offer subjects on complementary therapies in their nursing degree programs. METHODS: This study is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. For this purpose, we used a document published on the website of the Ministry of Universities as the working document. Additionally, a literature search was conducted up to September 2023 in the PubMed database, along with reverse searches. RESULTS: Out of a total of 62 universities, only 16 (29%) offer a subject related to this type of therapy, 27.5% (11) are public universities and 22.7% (5) are private universities, most of them being optional subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The training content on complementary care in nursing degree programs in Spanish universities is scarce, highlighting the potential benefit of expanding and promoting it, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Grade 3 cytolysis in a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer consuming a mushroom powder-based alternative therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The use of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) in patients with cancer is increasing. CAM is associated with potential toxicity and drug interactions, particularly with chemotherapy. Here, we report a case of cytolysis and hepatic cholestasis in a patient who was self-medicated with a mushroom powder-based alternative therapy containing Agaricus blazei Murril (ABM) during cancer treatment. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old woman with metastatic colorectal cancer and hepatic metastases was admitted to our hospital for intravenous chemotherapy. Markers of hepatic grade 3 cytolysis and cholestasis were identified during the pretreatment consultation. The baseline results were within normal limits. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: The chemotherapy was immediately canceled, and further tests were performed. After the investigation, the patient reported taking three mushroom powder-based capsules per day since November 2023. The dietary supplement contained ABM and Hericium erinaceus (HE) powder. After Pharmaceutical analysis, treatment with the supplement was discontinued, and the patient has not resumed. The changes in liver function were also favorable. DISCUSSION: In our case, given the improvement in liver function after CAM discontinuation, hepatic cytolysis appeared to be linked to ABM consumption despite the patient's liver metastases. Pharmaceutical analysis of CAM is essential to ensure the safety and optimization of cancer treatments. Patients should also communicate their CAMs to healthcare professionals and be aware of the consequences of consuming these dietary supplements. Finally, collaboration between pharmaceutical teams and oncologists is essential for optimal management of cancer patients.

Complementary, supportive and traditional practice experiences of infertile women in Türkiye: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In many societies, infertile couples use traditional practices. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the complementary, supportive and traditional (CST) practices used by infertile women and their attitudes toward these practices. METHODS: In this qualitative study, data were collected through individual interviews using a semi-structured form in December 2021. A total of 25 infertile women who applied to the in-vitro fertilization center of a hospital in Türkiye participated in the study. The findings were evaluated by thematic analysis. RESULTS: The ages of the participants ranged from 25 to 49 years. Three main themes were obtained by the data analysis; "Reasons for using CST practices," "Complementary, supportive and traditional practices used" and "Opinions on the effect of CST practices." CONCLUSION: Women resorted to complementary and supportive practices for economic reasons, seeking hope, and environmental pressure. Various herbal cures, dietary practices, and religious methods such as praying and prayer amulets, hacamat (cupping), leeches, and various bodily applications were identified as methods commonly used by women. Women were using these methods with the recommendations of people who are not health professionals. It is important to determine the beneficial methods and increase women's awareness of harmful practices. Additionally, although women use many methods for infertility treatment, it should also be noted that infertility is not a female-only problem. Consequently, childless women should be empowered with healthy coping skills.

Antihistamine and COVID-19 outcomes in outpatients.

The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on March 11, 2020. Since then, researchers have been investigating the efficacy and side effects of its medication, up until now. From the viewpoint of Persian medicine, some medications such as antihistamines may cause retention of secretions and lead to exacerbation and spread of the disease in the body. There are studies with conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of antihistamines in COVID-19. Systematic reviews found a lack of data on beneficial effect of antihistamine-decongestant-analgesic combinations for the common cold and a limited short-term effect of antihistamines on severity of overall symptoms. This prospective cohort study was designed to investigate the relationship between the use of antihistamines and the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Three hundred patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 participated in the study in Shiraz, Iran from December 4, 2021 until January 24, 2022. The interviews were conducted via phone call by a single interviewer. Patients were followed weekly for 4 weeks. We collected information by using a data collection form, containing demographic information, underlying disease, COVID-19 symptoms, treatment methods, medications, and a list of antihistamines and herbs that might have been used. Generalized estimating equations were applied to assess the relationship between the severity of COVID-19 and the use of antihistamines, taking into account potential confounding factors such as time and herbal consumption. The difference in the severity of COVID-19 disease in antihistamine users compared to nonusers was not significant in 4 weeks despite the higher baseline severity in nonusers. The comparison of two groups of antihistamine users and nonusers showed that there was a significant difference (p = 0.001) regarding the use of herbal medicines.

Cultivating Therapeutic Presence: A Pilot Project.

Purpose: Cultivating therapeutic presence is a pilot project for addressing perceived stress in a group of holistic healthcare workers. Design and Methods: The project incorporated mindfulness-based interventions, self-care techniques, and the establishment of supportive relationships. It was presented during the COVID pandemic to integrative health care workers at a children's hospital. Findings: There was an overall improvement in perceived stress scores across the series, with an effect size estimated by Cohen's d = .963, consistent with a large effect. Participants reported persistent effects on a survey administered five months after completion of the project, which included feeling more confident, using the techniques, and more effectively caring for themselves. Conclusions: This project integrated mindfulness-based interventions with self-care techniques, as well as strengthening support networks. Upon completion, perceived stress decreased, a finding that persisted for several months.

Psilocybin and chronic neuropathic pain: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND/IMPORTANCE: Chronic pain affects many people globally, requiring alternative management strategies. Psilocybin is gaining attention for its potential in chronic pain management despite being classified as Schedule I. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review critically evaluates the evidence for psilocybin, a Schedule I substance, in the treatment of chronic pain. The exact purpose of the review is to assess the impact of psilocybin on chronic pain relief, focusing on dosing protocols, treated conditions, and patient outcomes. EVIDENCE REVIEW: A comprehensive review of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE was conducted up to January 2024. Eligibility criteria included studies evaluating psilocybin for chronic pain management. The risk of bias was assessed using the MASTER (MethodologicAl STandards for Epidemiological Research) scale, and the strength of evidence was graded using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). FINDINGS: The review identified 28 relevant studies focusing on dosing, treated conditions, and outcomes. The majority of the included studies (76.2%) were of low or very low quality. Several studies with moderate-to-low-quality evidence utilized a 0.14 mg/kg dosing protocol. The findings suggest promise for the use of psilocybin in chronic pain relief, though the quality of evidence is generally low. CONCLUSIONS: The current research shows potential for psilocybin as a treatment option for chronic pain relief. However, methodological issues and a lack of high-quality evidence underscore the need for further investigations with standardized protocols. Despite these limitations, the potential for psilocybin in chronic pain management is encouraging. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023493823.

Successful Treatment of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Through Ayurveda Rasayana Therapy: A Case Study.

Background: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) can affect fertilization rate and embryo development, making it a useful measure for assessing male fertility. Available evidence supports the association between high sperm DNA fragmentation and poor outcomes, with regard to natural conception. Several treatment options are being adopted with varying degrees of success. Some of the commonly used treatment options are the intake of oral antioxidants, varicocele repair, and techniques like micro-manipulation-based sperm selection and use of testicular sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Case Presentation: Studies have shown that around 29% of couples depend on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modality for the treatment of infertility. However, there is a lack of substantial evidence regarding its efficacy in treating various aspects of infertility in couples. The current case report is about a 44 year-old male patient with infertility, who has a known diagnosis of sex chromosome abnormalities. Meanwhile, the SDF study reports indicated the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. This patient was treated exclusively with Ayurveda therapy aimed towards qualitative improvement in reproductive tissues (Shukra Dhatu as per Ayurveda). Patient was assessed periodically for changes in chromosomal abnormality. After four months of treatment, the evaluations demonstrated the presence of completely normal chromosomes. Conclusion: This case study indicates the potential of Ayurveda therapy in treating cases of male infertility caused by DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, observations and systematically designed clinical trials are warranted to establish a stronger level of evidence before making further clinical recommendations.

The Effect of Magnetic Therapy on Postoperative Urinary Retention in Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Urinary retention is a postoperative problem that causes pain and discomfort for patients, even when catheters are used. The potential role of magnetic therapy in treating postoperative urinary retention through acupuncture points remains uncertain. This research aims to assess the impact of magnetic therapy on urinary retention in patients undergoing surgery. Materials and Methods: This single-blind clinical trial study was conducted in a recovery department within an operating room and subsequently in the Surgery Department of Amin Hospital. The study took place in Isfahan in 2022, with a sample of 64 patients selected using a simple random sampling method and divided equally into two groups. In the intervention group, magnet plates were applied, while the control group received iron plates at seven specific points for duration of 35 ± 5 minutes. Demographic information, the type of urinary excretion, the duration of urinary retention, and the volume of excreted urine were recorded using a researcher-made checklist for both intervention and control groups. These data were compared and subjected to descriptive and analytical statistical analysis. Results: Among the participants (N = 64), the majority were male (N = 37, 57.80%), and the mean age was 40.17 years. The Chi-square analysis revealed no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the type of urinary excretion (p = 0.106). However, the Mann-Whitney U-test demonstrated significant difference between the two groups regarding the duration required to eliminate urinary retention and the volume of excreted urine (F2,41 = 62 and F1,76 = 62; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of a novel approach involving magnetic therapy applied to acupuncture and reflexology points has been shown to reduce the time required for the first urination and increase the volume of urine in post-surgery patients.