Body, Mind & Spirit Articles and Latest News

Transparency of outcome reporting and trial registration of randomized controlled trials in top psychosomatic and behavioral health journals: A systematic review.

J Psychosom Res. 2011 Mar;70(3):205-17

Authors: Milette K, Roseman M, Thombs BD

The most reliable evidence for evaluating healthcare interventions comes from well-designed and conducted randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The extent to which published RCTs reflect the efficacy of interventions, however, depends on the completeness and accuracy of published results. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement, initially developed in 1996, provides guidelines intended to improve the transparency of published RCT reports. A policy of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, initiated in 2005, requires clinical trials published in member journals to be registered in publicly accessible registries prior to patient enrollment. The objective of this study was to assess the clarity of outcome reporting, proportion of registered trials, and adequacy of outcome registration in RCTs published in top behavioral health journals.

PMID: 21334491 [PubMed - in process]

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Health Care Behaviours and Beliefs in Hasidic Jewish Populations: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

J Relig Health. 2011 Jan 20;

Authors: Coleman-Brueckheimer K, Dein S

Cultural issues impact on health care, including individuals’ health care behaviours and beliefs. Hasidic Jews, with their strict religious observance, emphasis on kabbalah, cultural insularity and spiritual leader, their Rebbe, comprise a distinct cultural group. The reviewed studies reveal that Hasidic Jews may seek spiritual healing and incorporate religion in their explanatory models of illness; illness attracts stigma; psychiatric patients’ symptomatology may have religious content; social and cultural factors may challenge health care delivery. The extant research has implications for clinical practice. However, many studies exhibited methodological shortcomings with authors providing incomplete analyses of the extent to which findings are authentically Hasidic. High-quality research is required to better inform the provision of culturally competent care to Hasidic patients.

PMID: 21249524 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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[Clinical diagnostics and therapy for non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion].

Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 2010 Sep;227(9):712-20

Authors: Pielen A, Junker B, Hansen L, Agostini H, Feltgen N

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ophthalmological emergency situation. Known risk factors are arterial hypertension, cardial arrhythmia, arteriosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. Elderly patients should be examined for an arteritic genesis. Young patients (< 45 years) without typical risk factors may suffer from thrombophilia. There is no uniform recommendation on how to treat non-arteritic CRAO. Many different interventions have been suggested in the literature, i. e., massaging the eye, systemic or local reduction of intraocular pressure, anticoagulation, either systemically administered venous thrombolysis or supraselective intra-arterial thrombolysis. In this review we present the causes of CRAO and diagnostic means to detect causes; we also critically discuss previously described therapeutic options. It is our aim to provide a guide through the necessary interdisciplinary diagnostics in co-operation with internal medicine and neurology and to recommend a multimodal therapy in patients with non-arteritic CRAO.

PMID: 20845251 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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[Segment analysis of the target market of physiotherapeutic services].

Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2010 Sep-Oct;(5):40-3

Authors:

The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the possibilities to analyse selected segments of the target market of physiotherapeutic services provided by medical and preventive-facilities of two major types. The main features of a target segment, such as provision of therapeutic massage, are illustrated in terms of two characteristics, namely attractiveness to the users and the ability of a given medical facility to satisfy their requirements. Based on the analysis of portfolio of the available target segments the most promising ones (winner segments) were selected for further marketing studies. This choice does not exclude the possibility of involvement of other segments of medical services in marketing activities.

PMID: 21332088 [PubMed - in process]

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An observational study of a 24 mg/mL hyaluronic acid with pre-incorporated lidocaine for lip definition and enhancement.

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2011 Mar;10(1):11-4

Authors: Lanigan S

Background  Lip enhancement using fillers improves appearance by increasing fullness, enhancing lip definition, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles around the lips. Aims  To investigate a 24 mg/mL hyaluronic acid (HA) with pre-incorporated lidocaine gel for lip definition and enhancement, medium-deep lines, and oral commissures. Patients/Methods  Eleven injectors enrolled 57 patients (96% women; aged 18-60+ years) requesting lip definition and enhancement. Prospective data were captured using an Injector Patient Case Assessment Form and Patient Questionnaire. Results  Ninety-five percent of injectors found the gel ‘very easy’ to inject, with 82% finding it “very easy” to massage/sculpt. Combined injector and patient pain assessment revealed little treatment discomfort. Ninety-nine percent of injectors reported improved aesthetic effect compared to baseline. Post-treatment, 99% of injectors rated the lips as “smooth.” All patients reported improved lip appearance and smoothness, and 96% were satisfied with the treatment experience. Compared to previous lip treatment, all patients reported their lips felt better, 57% rated the aesthetic effect as better, and 84% rated satisfaction as better than previous treatments. Ninety-eight percent of patients and injectors would recommend treatment to others. Conclusions  High levels of injector and patient satisfaction were found after use of this 24 mg/mL HA with pre-incorporated lidocaine for lip definition and enhancement.

PMID: 21332910 [PubMed - in process]

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Effects of rehabilitative interventions on pain, function and physical impairments in people with hand osteoarthritis: a systematic review.

Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Feb 18;13(1):R28

Authors: Ye L, Kalichman L, Spittle A, Dobson F, Bennell K

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with pain, reduced grip strength, loss of range of motion and joint stiffness leading to impaired hand function and difficulty with daily activities. The effectiveness of different rehabilitation interventions on specific treatment goals has not yet been fully explored. The objective of this systematic review is to provide evidence based knowledge on the treatment effects of different rehabilitation interventions for specific treatment goals for hand OA. METHODS: A computerized literature search of Medline, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ISI Web of Science, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and SCOPUS was performed. Evidence level 2b or higher studies that compared a rehabilitation intervention with a control group and assessed at least one of the following outcome measures: pain, physical hand function or other measures of hand impairment, were included. The eligibility and methodological quality of trials were systematically assessed by two independent reviewers using the PEDro scale. Treatment effects were calculated using standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Ten studies were included, of which six were of higher-quality (PEDro score>6). The rehabilitation techniques reviewed included three studies on exercise, two studies each on laser and heat, and one study each on splints, massage and acupuncture. One higher quality trial showed a large positive effect of 12-months use of a night splint on hand pain, function, strength and range of motion. Exercise had no effect on hand pain or function although it may be able to improve hand strength. Low level laser therapy may be useful to improving range of motion. No rehabilitation interventions were found to improve stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: There is emerging high quality evidence to support that rehabilitation interventions can offer significant benefits to individuals with hand OA. A summary of the higher quality evidence is provided to assist with clinical decision making based on current evidence. Further high-quality research is needed concerning the effects of rehabilitation interventions on specific treatment goals for hand OA.

PMID: 21332991 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The effect of a lightweight massage system in a car seat on comfort and electromyogram.

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011 Feb;34(2):107-13

Authors: Franz M, Zenk R, Vink P, Hallbeck S

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a lightweight low-intensity massage system (LWMAS) in a car seat on the electromyogram (EMG) of the neck and shoulder muscles and on the comfort experience during driving.

PMID: 21334542 [PubMed - in process]

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People with cancer want to do everything they can to combat the disease, manage its symptoms, and cope with the side effects of treatment. Many turn to complementary and alternative medicine—for example, botanical (herbal) and other dietary supplements, acupuncture, massage, and yoga.

A special analysis of 2002 NHIS data found that CAM use was more prevalent among people with a prior diagnosis of cancer. About 40 percent of cancer survivors reported using CAM; 18 percent had used multiple CAM therapies. The most popular CAM therapies among cancer survivors were herbal and other natural products (20 percent), deep breathing (14 percent), and meditation (9 percent).

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According to a recent study, practicing mindfulness meditation appears to be associated with measurable changes in the brain regions involved in memory, learning, and emotion. Mindfulness meditation focuses attention on breathing to develop increased awareness of the present. Previous research has demonstrated that mindfulness mediation may reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, but little is known about its effects on the brain. The focus of the current study—published in the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging—was to identify brain regions that changed in participants enrolled in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program.

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Hypothesis of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Psychogeriatrics. 2010 Sep;10(3):113-6

Authors: Fujii M, Ishizuka S, Azumi M, Sasaki H

PMID: 20860565 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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