Body, Mind & Spirit Articles and Latest News

[Surviving the initial phase: subjective theories of illness in patients suffering from acute leukaemia at the end of initial inpatient treatment].

Z Psychosom Med Psychother. 2011;57(2):141-56

Authors: Koehler K, Dogan E, Koehler M, Heine V, Frommer J

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Studies concentrating on the temporal dependence of subjective concepts during oncological treatment are underrepresented. Subjective interpretation contexts develop in the course of illness. The study focuses on the ideal-typical gestalt of these contents.
METHODS: In a follow-up study on coping, 12 patients with acute leukaemia (AL) were interviewed using a semistructured interview at the end of initial inpatient treatment. Using qualitative methodology, we inductively developed categories and assigned them to formal main categories.
RESULTS: The following categories were developed: causal uncertainty as burden; discrepancy between subjective and objective assessment of degree of threat; knowledge of disease: conflict between information-seeking and information-avoiding behavior; dominance of medical approach to treatment; pursuit of normality; defense of emotions; orientation to workflows on the ward; adjustment as a coping strategy; positive attitude as a resource; life between hope and fear; limited future; latent fear of death.
CONCLUSION: Themes of coping with the disease become visible. Some of these contents are tacit and latent, although of high subjective relevance to the patient. Their consideration could improve the patient-physician relationship.

PMID: 21626478 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Precordial thump and fist pacing. ARC and NZRC Guideline 2010.

Emerg Med Australas. 2011 Jun;23(3):275-6

Authors: ,

PMID: 21668709 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Late Outcomes After Grafting of the Severely Burned Face: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

J Burn Care Res. 2011 Oct 13;

Authors: Philp L, Umraw N, Cartotto R

Abstract
Many approaches to surgical management of the severely burned face are described, but there are few objective outcome studies. The purpose of this study was to perform a detailed evaluation of the late outcomes in adult patients who have undergone grafting using a standardized surgical and rehabilitation approach for full-thickness (FT) facial burns to identify areas for improvement in the treatment strategy of authors. This was a prospective observational study in which patients who had undergone grafting for FT facial burns by the senior investigator at a regional burn centre between 1999 and 2010 were examined by a single evaluator. The surgical approach included tangential excision based on the facial aesthetic units, temporary cover with frozen allograft then autografting with scalp skin preferentially, split grafts for the upper eyelid, and FT grafts for the lower eyelid. Rehabilitation included compression (uvex and or soft cloth), scar massage, and silicone gel sheeting. Of 35 patients with facial grafts, 14 subjects (age 43 ± 16 years with 22 ± 21% TBSA burns) returned for late follow-up at 40 ± 33 months (range, 5-91 months). A mean of four facial aesthetic units per patient were grafted (range, 1-9 units), with six full facial grafts performed. Scalp was used as donor in 10 of 14 cases. Scalp donor sites were well tolerated with minor alopecia visible in only one case although the donor site visibly extended slightly past the hairline in two cases. Color match with native skin was rated at 8.8 ± 0.8 of 10 when scalp skin was used compared with 7.5 ± 1.6 with other donor sites (P = .06). On the lip and chin, hypertrophic scars were significantly worse compared with the rest of the facial grafts (Vancouver scar scale 8 ± 2 vs 3 ± 1, P < .01). Sensory recovery was poor with overall moving two-point discrimination at 11 ± 3 mm (range, 4-15 mm), and monofilament light touch was 3.8 ± 0.6. Graft borders were significantly more elevated than graft seams. On the forehead, the most notable problem was a gap between the graft and hairlines of the frontal scalp and eyebrows (range, 0-40 mm). Grafted eyelids required one or more subsequent ectropion releases in the majority of cases. The most common problem for the nose was asymmetry of the nostril apertures. The most problematic late outcomes that the authors identified after facial grafting for FT facial burns included relatively poor sensory return, elevation of graft edges, eyelid ectropion, gaps between grafts and hairline, and marked hypertrophic scarring around the mouth and chin. The results indicate that possible areas for quality improvement include greater attention to the limits of scalp harvest, more attention to pressure application to graft borders and the lip and chin during rehabilitation, greater accuracy in excision and graft placement on the forehead to avoid gaps with the hairlines, and counseling of the patient regarding the high probability of diminished facial sensation.

PMID: 22002207 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Subcutaneous Hematoma Associated with Manual Cervical Massage during Carotid Artery Stenting. A Case Report.

Interv Neuroradiol. 2011 Sep;17(3):386-90

Authors: Tsurumi A, Tsurumi Y, Negoro M, Yokoyama K, Oheda M, Susaki N, Tsugane T, Takahashi T, Miyachi S

Abstract
We describe a patient with subcutaneous hematoma associated with manual cervical massage during carotid artery stenting.A 73-year-old man with left cervical carotid artery stenosis presented with left amaurosis fugax. We performed carotid artery stenting using distal embolic protection with balloon occlusion. Dual antiplatelet therapy was maintained in the periprocedural period and an anticoagulant agent was administered during the procedure. Because the aspiration catheter became entrapped by the stent, it did not reach the distal side of the stenotic lesion, and manual compression of the cervical region was therefore performed. Immediately afterwards, a subcutaneous hemorrhage occurred in the cervical region. There was no postoperative dyspnea due to enlargement of the hematoma, which was absorbed spontaneously.Cervical subcutaneous hematoma can occur in the cervical region due to cervical massage in patients who are receiving adjuvant antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation therapy.

PMID: 22005705 [PubMed - in process]

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The use of massage therapy for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression in oncological palliative care patients: a narrative review of the literature.

ISRN Nurs. 2011;2011:929868

Authors: Falkensteiner M, Mantovan F, Müller I, Them C

Abstract
A considerable number of cancer patients use complementary medicine therapies in order to alleviate different symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and depression, occurring in connection with cancer. This paper explores the question to what extent massage therapies are able to reduce the amount of pain, anxiety, and depression. For this purpose, a systematic literature analysis was carried out in the electronic databases and specialist journals. There is already evidence that massage therapies can influence the symptoms of pain, anxiety, and depression in a positive way.

PMID: 22007330 [PubMed - in process]

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[Effects of integrative medicine protocols on the improvement of neural function deficit and disability outcomes in patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke].

Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2011 Sep;31(9):1175-80

Authors: Xie RM, Chen HX, Xie YM

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of integrative medicine protocols on the neural function deficit and short-term disability outcomes in patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke.
METHODS: 99 patients were randomly assigned to three groups, i.e., the Dengzhan Xixin (fleabane) group (Group A), the Kudiezi (sowthistle-leaf ixeris seedling) group (Group B), and the Western medicine control group (Group C). Dengzhan Xixin Injection was intravenously dripped to patients in Group A for 14 days. Chinese decoction was administered to them by pattern typing as well. Meanwhile, they took Dengzhan Shengmai Capsule for two months. Kudiezi Injection was intravenously dripped to patients in Group B for 14 days. Chinese decoction was administered to them by pattern typing as well. Meanwhile, they took Naoshuantong Capsule for two months. In addition to internal therapies, patients in Group A and B received acupuncture, massage, and external washing with Chinese medicine for 21 days. Patients in Group C also received modem rehabilitation therapy for 21 days, including rehabilitation training and electronic stimulus in addition to the internal medicine. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and disability outcome (modified Rank Scale, mRS) were taken as main effect indices.
RESULTS: The NIHSS scores at each time point obviously decreased more than before treatment in all the three groups (P<0.01), but with no difference at each time point (P>0.05). The disability outcomes of all the three groups postponed as time went by. Significant difference existed among the three groups by log-lineal model (CATMOD) (P<0.05). The best effect was shown in Group B, with the markedly effective rate of 19. 35% and the total effective rate 54.84%.
CONCLUSIONS: The integrative medicine protocols could improve the nerve functions of ischemic stroke patients. Therefore, it could improve the disability outcomes. The comprehensive protocol (Kudiezi Injection + Naoshuantong Capsule + Chinese decoction according to pattern typing + acupuncture + massage + external washing with Chinese medicine) was better.

PMID: 22013790 [PubMed - in process]

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The possibility of obtaining intergeneric hybrids via White Kołuda (Anser anser L.) goose insemination with fresh and frozen-thawed Canada goose (Branta canadensis L.) gander semen.

Theriogenology. 2011 Oct 17;

Authors: Kowalczyk A, Lukaszewicz E

Abstract
The objective of the present experiments was to produce the intergeneric hybrids of domesticated and wild goose via artificial insemination with fresh and frozen-thawed semen. The experiments were carried out during two successive goose reproductive seasons, on eight five-year-old Canada Goose (Branta canadensis L.) males used as semen donors and 16 two-year-old White Kołuda geese designated to fertility tests. Pooled semen was collected twice a week by the dorso-abdominal massage. In freshly collected semen, ejaculate volume, color, consistency, degree of fecal or blood contamination, spermatozoa concentration, motility, and morphology were evaluated. Part of the semen collected in the first year of the experiment (Experiment 1) was used for geese insemination with fresh semen, while the remainder was frozen. In Experiment 2 all samples were subjected exclusively to freezing procedure. Geese were inseminated once a week with fresh semen in a dose of 80 μl or 160 μl, and twice a week with frozen-thawed semen in a dose of 80 μl (160 μl per wk) or 100 μl (200 μl per wk). Eggs were set weekly and incubated up to hatching. The volume of ejaculates varied from 0.100 to 0.470 ml; spermatozoa concentration from 140 to 310 million ml(-1); progressive movement was observed in 40 to 60% of spermatozoa; the percentage of total live spermatozoa ranged from 69.3 to 92.0%, the highest percentage (34.0-68.3) was represented by live normal spermatozoa and those with bulb-head (13.3-41.0). Cryopreservation caused a decrease in percentage of motile cells to 30%; total live spermatozoa contribution by 27.2%p, including those live normal by 15.9%p (in relation to the fresh semen), bulb-head spermatozoa by 10.9%p, and increase (by 5.9%p) in number of spermatozoa with other deformations. Goose insemination 1×/week with fresh semen containing about 10.3 million live normal spermatozoa resulted in 66.7% of fertile eggs and with dose higher by 2.8 million spermatozoa (on average) the fertility increased by 20.9%p (up to 87.6% on average). Hatchability from set and fertile eggs was 55.9% and 83.9% vs. 66.3% and 75.6%, respectively. After twice a week insemination with frozen-thawed semen containing about 10.2 million live normal cells 58.2% eggs were fertile; hatchability from set eggs was 42.8% and from fertile eggs 71.7%, while insemination dose increase by 2.7 million spermatozoa per week caused a fertilization increase by 3.8%p (62.0% on average), this increase was not statistically significant, but hatchability from the fertile eggs (95.4%), was significantly (P < 0.05) higher. The use of AI with fresh semen in the creation of intergeneric hybrids of Canada goose males and White Kołuda females allows a high level of egg fertility to be obtained. Furthermore, one limitation which is the short reproductive season of the Canada goose may be overcome by the use of cryopreserved semen.

PMID: 22015159 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Developing, maintaining, and using a body of knowledge for the massage therapy profession.

Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2011;4(3):1-12

Authors: Sefton JM, Shea M, Hines C

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The diverse field of massage therapy has lacked a formal body of knowledge to serve as a practice and educational foundation and to guide future development. This deficit has hampered the growth of the profession and its acceptance and recognition by the medical and allied health care community.
PURPOSE: To provide massage therapists, bodyworkers, physicians, educators, and associated allied health care professionals in the United States with a description of the purpose and development of the massage therapy body of knowledge (MTBOK) and recommendations for its future development and utilization.
METHODS: Professional groups in the massage therapy community came together and established a task force to develop a body of knowledge for the profession. Five groups became the stewards for this effort. A nationwide search produced a task force of eight volunteers from diverse areas of the profession charged with the responsibility of researching and developing the MTBOK document. Review of documents, curricula, state laws and regulations, certification exam content, interviews, and public comment resulted in the development of the MTBOK. During development multiple opportunities for comment and discussion by stakeholders (public) were provided in an effort to create a professional consensus.
RESULTS: The resulting MTBOK document establishes professional descriptions of the field; scope of practice; knowledge, skills, and abilities for entry-level massage therapists; and definitions for terminology to insure standardization, in order to provide a foundation for future discussion and growth.
CONCLUSIONS: The MTBOK fulfills the goal for which it was developed, to serve as a foundation for the growth and development of the massage therapy profession as a whole. A living document, it should continue to evolve and grow with the profession. Maintenance and continued stewardship of this document by the massage therapy community is vital for continued professional progress.

PMID: 22016755 [PubMed - in process]

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A novel massage therapy technique for management of chronic cervical pain: a case series.

Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2011;4(3):1-7

Authors: Thompson WR, Carter R, Rohe B, Duncan RL, Cooper CR

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neck pain is a generalized condition resulting from a complex etiology with presentation of a wide variety of symptoms. Neck pain is most often accompanied by decreased range of motion (ROM), muscle and joint stiffness, and limitations in functional capabilities. This condition may result in significant personal and societal burden.
PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness of a novel massage therapy intervention by following the treatment regimen and outcomes of two patients experiencing chronic neck pain.
PARTICIPANTS: Two patients (46 and 53 years old) experienced chronic (>5 years) neck pain. Both patients reported pain, limited ROM, and muscle and joint stiffness. Additionally, the first patient reported a lack of sleep, and both patients stated their pain interfered with their quality of life and activities of daily living.
INTERVENTION: Patients received the Integrative Muscular Movement Technique (IMMT) intervention approximately twice a week for a total of eight treatments, each approximately 20 minutes in duration.
RESULTS: Both patients experienced a reduction in pain and an increase in cervical ROM in flexion, extension, rotation, and sidebending. The first patient also reported an increased ability to sleep. Both patients reported an increased ability to perform activities of daily living, including work-related responsibilities.
CONCLUSIONS: For the two patients included in this report, therapist observations and patient reports indicate that inclusion of the IMMT treatment in a treatment regimen for chronic neck pain may lead to decreased pain and increased cervical ROM. These positive effects of the IMMT intervention may have a role in enhancing functional outcomes of these patients.

PMID: 22016757 [PubMed - in process]

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International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB): A Third-Year Retrospective Reflecting Google Analytics and Open Journal System Sources.

Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2011;4(3):2-6

Authors: Hymel GM

PMID: 22016758 [PubMed - in process]

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