Alternative & Integrative Medicine

Breathing is one of the basic life functions. High demands are placed on the respiratory system when increased value of power for example in sport. The main inspiratory muscle is the diaphragm, which performs this function in addition to other functions, mainly postural and sphincter. The aim of this study was to assess the effect on functional capacity of the lung after postural therapy. Trial involved 35 male elite athletes, 25 of which formed the experimental group and 10 was control group. Input and output measurements were identical and methodically divided into two main areas. Postural tests reported in the literature by prof. Kolar and spirometric test. The tests were carried out under constant conditions, and in the same time. The experimental group received postural training lasting six weeks. Comparing the results after completing postural training, we observed differences in postural execution like in spirometry tests in favor of the experimental group. Based on the results of our studies we suggest that postural training of diaphragm have a positive effect on the functional capacity of the lungs. Changes were not statistically significant at all endpoints. This may be caused by tested of elite athletes compared with the possible outcome of the general population. Individuality subjects and their psychosocial conditions during testing could also influence the outcome in a positive or negative direction.

Background: Currently, complementary and alternative medicine emerge as important therapies in the prevention and treatment of various health problems. In view of this, the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of essential oils in reducing stress and anxiety levels in aromatherapy users, at a clinic of Bragança, Portugal.
Methods: A study was performed with 36 individuals divided in two distinct groups: “aroma group” and “control group”. Individuals of "aroma group" were treated with a mixture of essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia Mill and Matricaria recutita L. applied with Effleurage massage while the individuals of "control group" received only Effleurage massage. Stress and anxiety levels of all individuals participating in the study were evaluated before and after the treatment. Additionally, the chemical composition of the essential oils was evaluated by GC and GC-MS.
Results: In the aromatherapy assay, the “aroma group” showed a significant decrease of 12% and 30%, in stress and anxiety levels, respectively, in the “control group” this decrease was lower (3.3% and 2.6% for stress and anxiety levels, respectively).

Aim: The objective is to investigate the changes of serum IFGF23 and CFGF23 levels in patients with chronic kidney disease of 3-5 stage before and after treatment by Yishen Jiangzhuo Granules and its clinical significance.
Methods: A subset of samples (n=76) from a cohort of patients with CKD of renal function between stage three and five. (Stage 3: n=37; stage 4: n=30; stage 5: n=9). The patients were treated in hospital or in clinic between October 2013 and April 2015 at the nephrology department of Fujian Provincial People's Hospital. Additionally, a total of 30 healthy volunteers were selected in this hospital during the same period as the normal control group. IFGF23, CFGF23 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) was assessed by BECKMAN-C800 automatic biochemical analyzer. Urine creatinine was determined by Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) was calculated according to the simplified MDRD formula.
Result: The expression levels of serum IFGF23 and CFGF23 did not change significantly before and after drug treatment. But the serum IFGF23 and CFGF23 expression level has been significantly increased in the CKD3 stage, while serum phosphorus levels has not yet increased. Compared with normal group, the expression level of serum IFGF23 and CFGF23 was significantly higher than that of the normal group before and after treatment.

Both of them showed a tendency to increase gradually with the decrease of renal function, and the degree of increase of serum IFGF23 expression level was significantly higher than that of CFGF23. Scr and P levels were decreased in CKD 3-5 stage after treatment (P<0.05). In CKD 4-5 stage, after treatment, the serum calcium level was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05). In CKD 3-5 stage, after treatment, the Ccr was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05).
Conclusion: IFGF23 increases rapidly with the decrease of Ccr and CFGF23 increases slowly with the decrease of Ccr. In the short term, Yishenjiangzhuo Granules cannot improve serum IFGF23 and CFGF23 levels in CKD 3-5 stage in patients, but it improves the renal function and the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, and reduces the level of serum creatinine.

Introduction and objectives: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is mainly observed in the primary care setting and may reach a prevalence of 5%. This retrospective study was conducted with the aim of assessing the results obtained using a therapeutic method based on pluralistic homeopathy.
Material and Methods: An observational study of a cohort of 220 patients treated by a pluralistic homeopathic physician was performed. A total of 460 medical records were reviewed, among which 220 patients who met DSMIV-TR criteria for the diagnosis of GAD were selected. In relation to homeopathic remedies, remedy of temperament was prescribed in all cases. A complementary remedy, a remedy of autonomic regulation, causal remedy, constitution remedy and remedy of terrain or diathesis was prescribed when necessary. Criteria for grouping patients according to response to treatment were defined. On the basis of this response, levels of cure or lack of response were grouped. A specific database was designed for the purpose of the study.
Results: The mean age of patients was 38 years. Women accounted for 78% of the cases. Associated general pathologic conditions were found in only 16% of patients. The duration of symptoms exceeded 12 months in 45% of the cases. At presentation, 31% of patients were taken conventional treatment (anxiolytics and/or antidepressants). The remedy of temperament was prescribed to all 220 cases. Starting of improvement was already observed at the first control visit in 73% of cases (158 patients) after 30 days of the baseline visit. In 157 of the 220 cases (71%), patients considered to be cured due to resolution of all symptoms. In 56.4% of cases (n=124), the length of follow-up was shorter than 2 years, and in 38.2% of cases (n=84) the follow-up ranged between 2 to 6 years. Nine cases (4%) have been followed between 6 and 10 years, and in 3 cases the follow-up was longer than 10 years. Cure achieved by means of homeopathic treatment was significantly associated with younger age, shorter duration of symptoms and absence of conventional pharmacologic treatment prior to consultation with the homeopathy.
Conclusions: Data of this retrospective review shows that the applied homeopathic treatment may be effective in the management of patients with GAD. The scope of treatment may include both somatic manifestations of anxiety and deepest vital discomfort affecting the subject.

Objective: To study the relationship between the meridian and diseases by establishing a pathological model and study the effects of blocked channels on the behavior of mini-pigs.
Method: First, we measured the low electrical impedance line along the stomach meridian. Next we measured the hydraulic resistance (HR) around the meridian to find points with the lowest HR. Gel were then injected into the points to establish a model for “blocked meridian”. A control group was injected with saline. The behaviors of the mini-pigs were observed. The video was then reviewed and frequency of climbing fence in the dtime (FCFD) and frequency of nighttime activity (FNA) were analyzed.
Results: When the mean values in various time periods were compared, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the two markers. However, over time, the model group exhibited an upward trend of FCFD which had a correlation coefficient of 0.868 with the modeling ds, i.e. the ds elapsed after establishing the model which was statistically significant. The control group, was -0.045, which was not statistically significant. There was a similar tendency for FNA over time that the correlation coefficient between FNA and modeling ds was 0.675 (P<0.1) while it was 0.401 in the control group (P>0.1).
Conclusion: Blocking LHRC along stomach meridian produces behavioral changes that are consistent with the pathological symptoms of stomach meridian. These changes are directly correlated with the modeling ds and gradually become more pronounced with the passage of time.

Background: In the recent decades, the relationship between psycho-physical disorders and weather conditions has taken on an increased scientific solidity. Furthermore, it is known to every clinician that healthcare practice has an important role in the management of psycho-physical disorders of patients affected by multiple sclerosis. Given that meteorosensitivity is related to the psycho-physical feebleness, this study is an attempt to clarify if treatments in a non-acute care rehabilitation centre can reduce the meteorosensitivity in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Methods: In the spring 2014, 42 patients with MS, at Fondazione Don Gnocchi Santa Maria Nascente Centre (Milan, Italy), were observed by two evaluations (initial and final). The initial evaluation was the administration of METEO-Q, a questionnaire able to quantify the meteorosensitivity degree of the subjects, and Beck Depression Inventory-II, mainly. For each patient, passed one month, the final evaluation was carried out with the same modalities.
Results: A statistically significant difference was found between initial and final meteorosensitivity degree (P=0.01), with better scores in final evaluations for most of the subjects. The correlation between Beck Depression Inventory-II and meteorosensitivity degree resulted significant and positive (R=0.377; P=0.001) and it confirms the link between psycho-physical feebleness and meteorosensitivity. Finally, no significant correlation emerged between initial meteorosensitivity degree and body mass index (R=0.187; P=0.236).
Conclusions: This study confirms the possibility of improving meteorosensitivity, probably by rehabilitation too. Future studies could clarify the effects of health care practice on meteorosensitivity.

Caner is a leading cause of death worldwide which requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Safety and efficacy of many of the modern therapies have been well established but still use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are on rise among cancer patients. CAM decision making process is complex which is affected by many social and disease related variables. Prevalence based studies regarding CAM use reported a wide range of variation in percentage use of CAM among cancer patients which could be due to the way different studies defined CAM in their studies. Understanding CAM use decision making is crucial as it is highly individualized and revolves around several issues which can benefit patients and their care givers in treatment success.

Introduction: Randomized usual-case controlled studies on Japanese dementia patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms were conducted to examine the effects of Kampo medicine Yokukan-San (YKS) on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). These studies showed that YKS is effective in treating BPSD. Yokukan-San-Ka-Chimpi-Hange is a Kampo medicine made by adding dried citrus peel and pinellia tuber to YKS. In Japan, we usually administer Yokukan-San-Ka-Chimpi-Hange as Kracie Yokukan-San-Ka-Chimpi-Hange extract granules (KB-83), produced by Kracie Pharma, Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan).
Methods: We investigated 3 trials carried out on the use of KB-83 for the treatment of severe dementia in elderly.
Results: KB-83 showed no change in core symptoms after administration in cases of dementia, but significant improvements in BPSD were reported. KB-83 was particularly effective in treating aggressive symptoms such as restlessness or abusive language.
Conclusion: In the treatment of dementia, we think that the administration of KB-83 is effective in mitigating the BPSD, and that further studies are need to investigate the effects of EK-83.

Background: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of treatment with integrated medicine (acupuncture and homeopathy in addition to conventional treatment) in improving measures of physical ability. Data from medical records with patient-reported information on background characteristics, diagnosis on admission (orthopaedic conditions and stroke) and movement performance indices.
Methods: Comparative, observational, propensity-score matched clinical study. Participants: 383 adults admitted to the rehabilitation Centre in Manciano, stratified by stroke and orthopaedic condition. Interventions: acupuncture and homeopathy with physical rehabilitation vs. rehabilitation alone. Main outcome measures: Activities of daily living performance indices for patients with knee or hip replacements (Barthel index) and stroke patients (Barthel index and Trunk control test). Number of days of analgesic drug treatment for orthopedic patients.
Results: The activities of daily living performance indices showed a significant improvement for both stroke patients (Fisher p-value: 0.008 and 0.046 for Barthel index and Trunk Control Test respectively) and orthopaedic patients (Fisher p-value: 0.032 for Barthel index) treated with integrated medicine. The treatment also reduced the duration of analgesic treatment by 2.8 days (Fisher p-value: 0.0015).
Conclusion: Integrated medicine helps to improve rehabilitation performance in stroke and orthopaedic patients and considerably reduces the need for analgesic drugs.