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The prevalence and progression of cancer differ in males and females, and thus, sexual dimorphism in tumor development directly impacts clinical research and medicine. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as important players in gene expression and various cellular processes, including cancer development and progression. In recent years, lncRNAs have been implicated in the differences observed in cancer incidence, progression, and treatment responses between men and women. Here, we present a brief overview of the current knowledge regarding the role of lncRNAs in cancer sex dimorphism, focusing on how they affect epigenetic processes in male and female mammalian cells. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which lncRNAs may contribute to sex differences in cancer, including transcriptional control of sex chromosomes, hormonal signaling pathways, and immune responses. We also propose strategies for studying lncRNA functions in cancer sex dimorphism. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in cancer research and the need to investigate the role lncRNAs play in mediating these sex differences. In summary, we highlight the emerging link between lncRNAs and cancer sex dimorphism and their potential as therapeutic targets.

PurposeMiscarriage, often resulting from a variety of genetic factors, is a common pregnancy outcome. Preconception genetic carrier screening (PGCS) identifies at-risk partners for newborn genetic disorders; however, PGCS panels currently lack miscarriage-related genes. In this study, we evaluated the potential impact of both known and candidate genes on prenatal lethality and the effectiveness of PGCS in diverse populations.MethodsWe analyzed 125,748 human exome sequences and mouse and human gene function databases. Our goals were to identify genes crucial for human fetal survival (lethal genes), to find variants not present in a homozygous state in healthy humans, and to estimate carrier rates of known and candidate lethal genes in various populations and ethnic groups.ResultsThis study identified 138 genes in which heterozygous lethal variants are present in the general population with a frequency of 0.5% or greater. Screening for these 138 genes could identify 4.6% (in the Finnish population) to 39.8% (in the East Asian population) of couples at risk of miscarriage. This explains the cause of pregnancy loss in approximately 1.1-10% of cases affected by biallelic lethal variants.ConclusionThis study has identified a set of genes and variants potentially associated with lethality across different ethnic backgrounds. The variation of these genes across ethnic groups underscores the need for a comprehensive, pan-ethnic PGCS panel that includes genes related to miscarriage.

Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is characterized by a variety of non-specific symptoms. One of the leading symptoms is fatigue. So far, there is no evidence-based causal therapy established and treatment of PCS is primarily symptom-oriented. The Clinic for Internal and Integrative Medicine in Bamberg, Germany, offers a comprehensive multimodal integrative inpatient therapy for PCS patients. Within a prospective uncontrolled observational study, the results of N = 79 patients were analysed. Post-COVID fatigue patients were hospitalized for up to 14 days. The treatment consists of individual modules depending on the patient's needs. It includes a wide range of integrative non-pharmacological treatment modalities. Outcomes were assessed before and after the inpatient treatment as well as 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Results show that fatigue of post-COVID patients in this study (M = 76.30, SD = 10.18, N = 64) was initially significantly higher than in the subsample "women aged 60–92 years" of the general German population (M = 51.5, Schwarz et al. [Schwarz et al. in Onkologie 26:140–144, 2003]; T(63) = 19.50, p <.001). Fatigue was significantly and clinically relevant reduced directly after discharge (MT1 = 76.21, SD = 11.38, N = 42; MT2 = 66.57, SD = 15.55, N = 42), F(1, 41) = 19.80, p <.001, partial eta squared =.326, as well as six months after discharge (MT3 = 65.31, SD = 17.20, N = 42), F(1, 41), p <.001, partial eta squared =.371. Additionally, self-reported ability to work (NRS, 0–10) improved significantly from admission (MT1 = 2.54, SD = 2.23, N = 39) to discharge (MT2 = 4.26, SD = 2.60, N = 39), F(1, 38) = 26.37, p <.001, partial eta squared =.410), as well as to six months later (MT3 = 4.41, SD = 3.23, N = 39), F(1, 38) = 15.00, p <.001, partial eta squared =.283. The study showed that patients suffering from chronic post-COVID syndrome for several months can achieve a significant improvement in their leading fatigue symptoms and a significant improvement in the subjective assessment of their ability to work through a comprehensive two-week multimodal integrative inpatient program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The proportion of dementia patients in Asian countries is rapidly increasing, and because vascular dementia is more common than in the West, it is recognized as important as Alzheimer's disease. Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify the benefits of Pinellia ternata Breitenbach tuber aqueous extract (PTex) in improving cognitive function and reducing inflammation in brain damage resulting from bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). Materials and Methods: Four groups of five C57BL/6 male mice each were randomly assigned (a sham group, a BCAS surgery group, and two experimental groups that received PTex concentrations of 25 and 50 mL/kg, respectively). Measuring behavioral learning and memory, the two concentrations of the extract were given orally three times a week for six weeks following BCAS surgery. Furthermore, the inflammatory response in the cerebral cortex was observed, and RNA sequencing analysis was carried out. Results: The novel object recognition test revealed that the PTex-50-treated group had improved cognitive function, and the anti-inflammatory effect was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining of brain tissue. Proteins such as Apob, Shh, Dscc1, Cdc45, and Cdc6 were identified through protein-protein interaction network analysis as having a beneficial effect on BCAS-induced cognitive deficit. Conclusion: Results show that PTex-50 was found to have a beneficial effect on BCAS-induced cognitive deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article interrogates the controversial field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), focussing in particular on the implication of the British press in its regulation. It grounds its analysis in a 'decentred' understanding of regulation; a socio-legal approach which moves beyond formal regulation and regulators, and instead foregrounds diverse social actors and their attempts to alter behaviour across a given domain. Focussing on The Times newspaper as a case-study, it identifies five regulatory techniques through which the newspaper drew (and redrew) lines separating the safe from the risky, the efficacious from the sham, and the normal from the deviant. By analytically decentring CAM's formal regulation, this article provides a conceptual contribution. It highlights an everyday form of healthcare regulation directed at prospective users which may be just as significant in potentially guiding users towards or away from particular healthcare practices/practitioners as the more traditional, formal kinds of regulation identified in regulatory literatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is an important issue and a model topic for misinformatfion researchers. The present research experimentally investigates the effect of cancer‐related conspiracy beliefs and misinformation on oncology treatment intentions in a cancer‐free population. In three pre‐registered studies (N total = 1020), participants were asked to put themselves in the shoes of a patient recommended for chemotherapy. Study 1 (N = 300) failed to experimentally manipulate cancer‐related conspiracy beliefs with exposure to a health scandal not related to cancer. In Study 2 (N = 258), exposure to a pro‐conspiracy (vs. anti‐conspiracy) content related to cancer treatment was associated with more conspiracy beliefs, less intention to use chemotherapy and more intentions to use unconventional medicines. Exploratory analyses revealed that these effects were conditioned by the credibility of the misinformation. Study 3 (N = 462) replicated these findings using a full experimental design. Exposure (vs. no exposure) to a warning and accuracy prompt, prior to exposure to the pro‐conspiracy content, was found to be effective in reducing its credibility and preventing its detrimental effects. These findings corroborate the existence of an effect of conspiracy beliefs on treatment intentions in oncology and also suggest several ways to mitigate them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased substantially around the world; various global studies have documented the use of CAM by surgical patients in the preoperative period, with rates of herbal medications and other nonherbal treatments ranging from 12 to 69%. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of CAM and its patterns of use among surgical patients. Methods: From December 2020 to April 2021, a descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in Palestine. A face‒to-face interview questionnaire was used. The participants were asked questions regarding sociodemographics, clinical information, CAM usage, reasons for its use, and opinions on its efficacy. Results: Among the 300 surgical patients who were interviewed in this study, 252 (84.0%) reported that they had ever used CAM, while a total of 122 (48.4%) had used CAM before their surgery, 81.7% of the respondents used herbal methods, and 64.7% of them used nonherbal methods. CAM use among our study population was not linked to specific demographics or other characteristics, except health insurance (p = 0.004). The most commonly used herbs among surgical patients are Salvia officinalis L. (Sage) (84.1%) and Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise) (75.5%). The highest percentage was found among patients with university qualifications (73.2%), who used more than three methods (p < 0.001). In addition, 59.4% of the females used more than three therapies, whereas 45.9% of the males did (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The herbal methods used are common among surgical patients in Palestine and are consistent with the enormous increase in the use of CAM. Therefore, awareness should be raised among the public regarding the risks and benefits of CAM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Despite the lack of proven efficacy, opioids historically have been used for the treatment of noncancer back pain. A variety of other effective therapeutic options for pain management are becoming more available over time. In 2016, Oregon implemented a unique and novel policy to improve evidence-based back pain care and promote safer and more effective opioid prescribing through the state's Medicaid program, the Oregon Health Plan. This article examines the ways providers adapted to providing care for patients with back pain in the context of COVID-19 and to better understand the challenges faced by and adaptations made by providers. Methods: We conducted focus groups with clinicians and physical pain treatment modality practitioners (PPTMPs). In total, 129 providers participated in one of six focus groups, including 74 clinicians (54%) and 55 PPTMPs (42%). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to construct themes or units of meaning across data. Results: Focus groups revealed concerns about PPE shortages, telemedicine challenges, communication barriers, and profession-specific responses to COVID-19, which hindered patient care and referrals. Focus groups also highlighted some advantages related to increased insight into patients' lives, which enhanced treatment. Care during COVID-19 has resulted in continued patient interest in telehealth and telemedicine. Conclusion: Optimizing use of these technologies for health conditions, such as back pain, adds to treatment options for patients and gives providers a more holistic understanding of patients' lives, the challenges they may face, and how that impacts their treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study assessed gender, race, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), attitudes toward CAM, and disclosure of CAM use to health providers using an online survey of 506 students at a regional public university. Methods: Ordinary least squares regression models were used to examine relationships of interest, including use, attitudes, and disclosure of CAM by self-identified gender and race. Results: The most common therapy reported included vitamins and mineral supplements, and participants of all racial and gender identities expressed generally positive attitudes toward CAM. Women reported using CAM significantly more often than men, and Whites more often than non-Whites. Conclusions: White respondents were more likely to disclose the use of CAM to healthcare providers compared to African American respondents, and women reported disclosure more often than men. A significant interaction between gender and race was noted for attitudes toward CAM for Whites and African Americans, with White women most positive toward CAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Pregnant women are vulnerable to adverse effects of medicines, especially during the first trimester. Though it is advised to avoid unnecessary intake of medicine during pregnancy, CAM use is widespread. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 120 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Udaipur district of Southern Rajasthan, India. Women of age 18 years and above were surveyed between July 2022 to December 2023 by convenient sampling strategy and data were entered in a pretested and pre-validated questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test was applied to compare CAM use among different demographic categories and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 120 participants, 58 (48.33 %) were using CAM therapy. Out of 58 users, 44 (75.86 %) were using herbal & traditional medicines. Twenty (34.48 %) were using CAM for a healthy baby, 18 (31.03 %) for easy delivery and 17 (29.31 %) for boosting immunity. Forty (68.96 %) participants started CAM on the advice of a relative/friend. Fifty six (46.67 %) participants believe that CAM therapy cannot cause adverse effects on the in utero child, while 32 (26.67 %) believe that CAM and modern medicines don't interact. CAM use among pregnant women is substantial. There is a need to raise awareness among the healthcare professionals and pregnant women regarding possible adverse effects and drug-drug interactions with CAM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) pose a growing public health challenge with unclear etiology and limited efficacy of traditional pharmacological treatments. Alternative therapies, particularly antioxidants, have gained scientific interest. This systematic review analyzed studies from MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus using keywords like "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" and "Antioxidants." Initially, 925 publications were identified, and after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria—covering studies from July 2015 to June 2024 using murine models or clinical trials in humans and evaluating natural or synthetic substances affecting oxidative stress markers—368 articles were included. This comprised 344 animal studies and 24 human studies. The most investigated antioxidants were polyphenols and active compounds from medicinal plants (n = 242; 70.3%). The review found a strong link between oxidative stress and inflammation in IBD, especially in studies on nuclear factor kappa B and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathways. However, it remains unclear whether inflammation or oxidative stress occurs first in IBD. Lipid peroxidation was the most studied oxidative damage, followed by DNA damage. Protein damage was rarely investigated. The relationship between antioxidants and the gut microbiota was examined in 103 animal studies. Human studies evaluating oxidative stress markers were scarce, reflecting a major research gap in IBD treatment. PROSPERO registration: CDR42022335357 and CRD42022304540. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: On average, about 50% of cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to conventional cancer treatment. Since there is a high need for information, patients often search for information about CAM and share experiences with peers, especially in self-help groups. In this study, we tested and evaluated an educational concept developed for group leaders of cancer self-help groups on how to approach the topic of CAM in their peer groups. Methods: The educational concept has been developed and piloted with health care professionals and representatives from different self-help organizations in Germany. It aims to inform and discuss the possibilities and limitations of CAM in terms of scientific evidence, to reflect user behavior, and to provide a guide on how to find and evaluate reliable and evidence-based information sources. First, self-help group leaders took part in an on-site training where they were educated on various CAM topics with the goal of being able to conduct the educational concept in their respective self-help groups. Then, the educated group leaders performed this concept in their groups. The educational concept was evaluated by both the group leaders and participants with respect to acceptance, usefulness, and satisfaction using paper-pencil questionnaires. The study was conducted in Germany based on an observational study design with a six-month follow-up. For the analyses, descriptive and univariate statistics for dependent samples were used. Results: A total of n = 50 interested group leaders conducted the educational program in their groups. The most common implementation barriers were organizational or structural problems, as well as the feeling of being overwhelmed with managing the program in their groups. A total of n = 423 participants were educated with this program by their respective group leaders. The majority felt satisfied with the educational program and improved their knowledge about CAM. At the six months follow-up (T2), significantly more participants had consulted their physicians to inform themselves about CAM and felt more confident in finding reliable information about CAM. Conclusions: In this observational study, we have managed to successfully implement an educational concept with respect to the topic of CAM in cancer self-help groups. Based on the results, the concept approach will be modified to include both a CAM- professional and group leader to train the self-help groups. In the future, the effects of the program should be tested by a randomized trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: When young children experience recurrent respiratory infections, caregivers face the challenge of preventing new episodes whilst maintaining close rapport with their children. Pediatric massage, such as pediatric Tuina, entails soft massage of the skin, administered by trained providers. This non-pharmaceutical measure is used to prevent new respiratory infections in China. The aim of this study is to deepen our understanding of caregivers' experiences and perceptions of providing pediatric Tuina treatment to their children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. Methods: A qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews, was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Sixteen mothers from Southern China, whose children had received pediatric Tuina for recurrent respiratory tract infections, participated online. Analysis was conducted according to the principles of reflexive thematic analysis, using the NVivo qualitative research software. Results: The overarching theme was "Fostering embodied care with children". Caregivers assessed pediatric Tuina by hearing others' experiences of pediatric Tuina, as well as observing the manipulations on their child's body and their bodily reactions during pediatric Tuina sessions. Caregivers also closely observed children's bodily changes after pediatric Tuina sessions. Embodied attachment between children and adults was nurtured through the pediatric Tuina. Compared to other treatments or medical consultations, children were more relaxed and more involved in embodied care, which involved direct skin touching and verbal communication from the pediatric Tuina provider. Children also took the initiative to bring pediatric Tuina into their family life, by asking caregivers to perform it on them and mimicking the manipulations on the caregivers' hand. Conclusions: Pediatric Tuina served as a means of interaction between children and adults, fostering an embodied care on both a physical and emotional level. Beyond its potentially preventive effect on recurrent respiratory tract infections, pediatric Tuina could be a support for parents of children with recurrent or chronic disease at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a significant increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by infertile patients. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CAM use by infertile patients. This review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The required data were obtained by searching English databases (PubMed and Web of Science) as well as Google Scholar as an additional source of records. We included cross-sectional studies published in English journals up to March 2023 that examined the prevalence of CAM use among infertile patients in different countries. The retrieved articles were independently assessed by two reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion with the intent to reach a consensus. We reviewed 1192 documents. From these, 29 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis conducted on 32, 804 infertile patients showed a prevalence rate of CAM use between 26.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 21.7%-31.3%] and 96.1% (95% CI: 95.7%-96.5%) in various countries. The pooled prevalence rate calculated by the random effects model showed that, overall, 54% (95% CI: 46%-61%) of both infertile women and men used CAM, whereas 55% (95% CI: 47%-67%) of infertile women and 29% (95% CI: 17%-41%) of infertile men reported treatment with CAM. More than half of the infertile patients used CAM. Therefore, healthcare practitioners need to be aware of this practice to better provide care for infertile patients. Further studies should examine the reasons for CAM use by infertile patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal pain is part of the definition of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) according to the ROME IV criteria, having to be present at least once a week. This sometimes intense pain can lead to a significant impairment of quality of life. Drug treatments are occasionally insufficient to provide relief to patients and can be poorly tolerated. More than a third of patients use treatments that are part of complementary and alternative medicine, most often without talking to their doctor about it. In this context, it seems important to discuss with them the possibilities of alternative care and to know how to direct them as a priority towards those who have demonstrated their effectiveness, especially since most alternative treatments are not reimbursed. Studies investigating the effectiveness of this type of treatment are more complex to realize. There is a particularly high placebo effect in cases of IBS, with more than one in three patients being improved by taking a placebo, making it essential to constitute a control group for the evaluation of IBS treatments. Concerning alternative treatments, the control group is more difficult to choose, and double-blind studies are most often impossible to carry out. With these caveats, studies on hypnosis, cognitive and behavioral therapies and meditation support their effectiveness on IBS symptoms, particularly abdominal pain. For other techniques such as osteopathy, auricular vagal stimulation or yoga, the results of the studies are encouraging but insufficient to be able to formally advise them. Studies on acupuncture, foot reflexology or homeopathy do not support an effect greater than a placebo effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent advancements in psoriasis treatment, challenges in management persist. Recently, there has been a rising interest amongst patients in complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), driven by the desire for more natural, holistic approaches and dissatisfaction with conventional treatments. Up to 41% of patients with psoriasis reported using alternative therapies and 39.5% use complementary therapies (Murphy EC, Nussbaum D, Prussick R, Friedman AJ (2019) Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol 81:280–283). Despite their rapidly growing prevalence, literature on CAM therapies for psoriasis is lacking, making their recommendation difficult. Since the last systematic review on this topic published in 2018, evidence for new alternative therapies has emerged, promoting a further investigation of their efficacy (Gamret AC, Price A, Fertig RM, Lev-Tov H, Nichols AJ (2018) Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Psoriasis: A Systematic Review. JAMA Dermatol 154:1330–1337). This systematic review aims to compile recent literature on the most studied alternative therapies for psoriasis and further discuss their effectiveness in order to counsel clinicians in guiding patients on the use of these non-standard approaches. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases for randomized controlled trials (RCT) on complementary and alternative therapies in psoriasis from March 2018 through April 2024, resulting in 12 studies being included in this review. The preliminary results for many treatments such as curcumin, dietary modification and additions, indigo naturalis, meditation, acupuncture, and balneotherapy showed positive clinical effects. However, additional well-designed randomized trials are needed to confirm the potential beneficial effects and to establish safety of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased substantially around the world; various global studies have documented the use of CAM by surgical patients in the preoperative period, with rates of herbal medications and other nonherbal treatments ranging from 12 to 69%. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of CAM and its patterns of use among surgical patients. Methods From December 2020 to April 2021, a descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in Palestine. A face‒to-face interview questionnaire was used. The participants were asked questions regarding sociodemographics, clinical information, CAM usage, reasons for its use, and opinions on its efficacy. Results Among the 300 surgical patients who were interviewed in this study, 252 (84.0%) reported that they had ever used CAM, while a total of 122 (48.4%) had used CAM before their surgery, 81.7% of the respondents used herbal methods, and 64.7% of them used nonherbal methods. CAM use among our study population was not linked to specific demographics or other characteristics, except health insurance (p = 0.004). The most commonly used herbs among surgical patients are Salvia officinalis L. (Sage) (84.1%) and Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise) (75.5%). The highest percentage was found among patients with university qualifications (73.2%), who used more than three methods (p

There is a significant increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by infertile patients.This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CAM use by infertile patients. This review was conducted based on thePreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The required data were obtainedby searching English databases (PubMed and Web of Science) as well as Google Scholar as an additional sourceof records. We included cross-sectional studies published in English journals up to March 2023 that examined theprevalence of CAM use among infertile patients in different countries. The retrieved articles were independentlyassessed by two reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion with the intent to reach a consensus. Wereviewed 1192 documents. From these, 29 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Theresults of meta-analysis conducted on 32, 804 infertile patients showed a prevalence rate of CAM use between26.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 21.7%-31.3%] and 96.1% (95% CI: 95.7%-96.5%) in various countries. Thepooled prevalence rate calculated by the random effects model showed that, overall, 54% (95% CI: 46%-61%) ofboth infertile women and men used CAM, whereas 55% (95% CI: 47%-67%) of infertile women and 29% (95%CI: 17%-41%) of infertile men reported treatment with CAM. More than half of the infertile patients used CAM.Therefore, healthcare practitioners need to be aware of this practice to better provide care for infertile patients.Further studies should examine the reasons for CAM use by infertile patients.

Abstract Purpose On average, about 50% of cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to conventional cancer treatment. Since there is a high need for information, patients often search for information about CAM and share experiences with peers, especially in self-help groups. In this study, we tested and evaluated an educational concept developed for group leaders of cancer self-help groups on how to approach the topic of CAM in their peer groups. Methods The educational concept has been developed and piloted with health care professionals and representatives from different self-help organizations in Germany. It aims to inform and discuss the possibilities and limitations of CAM in terms of scientific evidence, to reflect user behavior, and to provide a guide on how to find and evaluate reliable and evidence-based information sources. First, self-help group leaders took part in an on-site training where they were educated on various CAM topics with the goal of being able to conduct the educational concept in their respective self-help groups. Then, the educated group leaders performed this concept in their groups. The educational concept was evaluated by both the group leaders and participants with respect to acceptance, usefulness, and satisfaction using paper-pencil questionnaires. The study was conducted in Germany based on an observational study design with a six-month follow-up. For the analyses, descriptive and univariate statistics for dependent samples were used. Results A total of n = 50 interested group leaders conducted the educational program in their groups. The most common implementation barriers were organizational or structural problems, as well as the feeling of being overwhelmed with managing the program in their groups. A total of n = 423 participants were educated with this program by their respective group leaders. The majority felt satisfied with the educational program and improved their knowledge about CAM. At the six months follow-up (T2), significantly more participants had consulted their physicians to inform themselves about CAM and felt more confident in finding reliable information about CAM. Conclusions In this observational study, we have managed to successfully implement an educational concept with respect to the topic of CAM in cancer self-help groups. Based on the results, the concept approach will be modified to include both a CAM- professional and group leader to train the self-help groups. In the future, the effects of the program should be tested by a randomized trial.

Abstract Introduction When young children experience recurrent respiratory infections, caregivers face the challenge of preventing new episodes whilst maintaining close rapport with their children. Pediatric massage, such as pediatric Tuina, entails soft massage of the skin, administered by trained providers. This non-pharmaceutical measure is used to prevent new respiratory infections in China. The aim of this study is to deepen our understanding of caregivers’ experiences and perceptions of providing pediatric Tuina treatment to their children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. Methods A qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews, was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Sixteen mothers from Southern China, whose children had received pediatric Tuina for recurrent respiratory tract infections, participated online. Analysis was conducted according to the principles of reflexive thematic analysis, using the NVivo qualitative research software. Results The overarching theme was “Fostering embodied care with children”. Caregivers assessed pediatric Tuina by hearing others’ experiences of pediatric Tuina, as well as observing the manipulations on their child’s body and their bodily reactions during pediatric Tuina sessions. Caregivers also closely observed children’s bodily changes after pediatric Tuina sessions. Embodied attachment between children and adults was nurtured through the pediatric Tuina. Compared to other treatments or medical consultations, children were more relaxed and more involved in embodied care, which involved direct skin touching and verbal communication from the pediatric Tuina provider. Children also took the initiative to bring pediatric Tuina into their family life, by asking caregivers to perform it on them and mimicking the manipulations on the caregivers’ hand. Conclusions Pediatric Tuina served as a means of interaction between children and adults, fostering an embodied care on both a physical and emotional level. Beyond its potentially preventive effect on recurrent respiratory tract infections, pediatric Tuina could be a support for parents of children with recurrent or chronic disease at home.

This study aimed to explore the attitudes of adults living in Turkey toward complementary and alternative medicine in the period of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and identify whether Turkish adults used complementary and alternative medicine during the pandemic. The cross-sectional study covered 3242 adults across Turkey. The data were collected via a Personal Information Form and the Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire. The participants had positive attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (33.8 ± 4.7). The results indicated that the Turkish adults widely used complementary and alternative treatment methods (70.5%) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were more oriented toward the use of herbal treatment (35.5%). It was identified that the primary reasons for using complementary and alternative medicine were to be protected from COVID-19, and if infected with COVID-19, to recover from it quickly with only mild symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health is relevant to every individual. Poor mental health and well-being contribute significantly to personal suffering and a substantial burden on society. Art and cooking therapies in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are flexible approaches that emphasize engagement and growth to promote mental health and well-being, are easy to perform, accessible when needed, and can be self-administered. This review aims to explore art and cooking therapies focusing on intervention protocols, target populations, underlying mechanisms, limitations, and areas for future research. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar databases using predefined search terms. A total of 26 randomized controlled trials, 19 in art therapy, and seven in cooking therapy were included. Art and cooking therapies are promising interventions to improve mental health and well-being. They promote mindfulness and provide opportunities for self-expression and social support which can be explored in future studies and therapeutic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Available data suggest that general practitioners (GPs) in Germany use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities more frequently than GPs in many other countries. We investigated the country differences perceived by general practitioners who have worked in Germany and in one of four other European countries with regard to the role of complementary and alternative treatments in primary care. Methods In this qualitative study we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 GPs who had worked both in Germany and Italy, the Netherlands, Norway or the United Kingdom (UK; n = 3 for each of the four countries). Participants were asked how they perceived and experienced country differences regarding health system, relevance of CAM modalities, the role of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and science, and how they handle so-called indeterminate situations. For the analysis, we followed a thematic analysis approach according to Braun and Clarke with focus on themes that cover CAM. Results Participants unanimously reported that they perceived CAM to be more relevant in general practice in Germany compared to the other countries. We identified four overarching themes in relation to the perceived reasons for these differences. Firstly, physicians with experiences in countries with a strong EBM and science orientation (Netherlands, Norway and the UK) considered the deeply ingrained view in national healthcare systems and GP communities that CAM modalities are not evidence-based as the main reason for the lower use of CAM by GPs. Secondly, extensive training of communication skills was cited as a reason that reduced the need for CAM in the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. Thirdly, differences in patient expectations and demands were perceived as a factor contributing to greater utilisation of CAM by German GPs compared to the other countries. Finally, country-specific reimbursement mechanisms were considered as a factor influencing the role of CAM in general practice. Conclusions The study results point to major differences between countries with regard to the role of CAM in GP care. Differences in basic attitudes in the discipline of general practice, patient expectations and system conditions appear to play an important role here.

Yi-Rong Lin,1 Wu-Chou Lin,1,2 Mei-Yao Wu,3– 5 Cheng-Li Lin,6 Su-Tso Yang,1,7,&ast; Hung-Rong Yen1,4,5,8,&ast; 1Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; 3School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; 4Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; 5Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; 6Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; 7Department of Radiology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; 8Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hung-Rong Yen, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, North District, Taichung, 404328, Taiwan, Tel +886-4-22053366 ext. 3001, Fax +886-4-22365141, Email hungrongyen@mail.cmu.edu.tw Su-Tso Yang, Department of Radiology, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yude Road, North District, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, Tel +886-4-22052121 ext. 5470, Fax +886-4-22365141, Email yangst@mail.cmu.edu.twBackground: Many patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) seek traditional medicine consultations. This study intended to investigate the association of complementary Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) with the surgery rate in patients with DUB in Taiwan.Methods: We enrolled 43,027 patients with newly diagnosed DUB (ICD-9-CM codes 626.8) from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan during the period of 1997 to 2010. Among them, 38,324 were CHM users, and 4703 did not receive CHM treatment. After performing a 1:1 propensity-score match based on patients’ age (per 5 years), comorbidities, conventional drugs, childbirth status, duration from the diagnosis year of DUB and index year, there were an equal number (n=4642) of patients in the CHM cohort and non-CHM cohort. The outcome measurement was the comparison of incidences of surgical events, including hysterectomy and endometrial ablation, in the two cohorts before the end of 2013.Results: CHM users had a lower incidence of surgery than non-CHM users (adjusted HR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.22– 0.33). The cumulative incidence of surgery was significantly lower in the CHM cohort during the follow-up period (Log rank test, p < 0.001). A total of 146 patients in the CHM cohort (4.99 per 1000 person-years) and 485 patients in the non-CHM cohort (20.19 per 1000 person-years) received surgery (adjusted HR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.22– 0.33). CHM also reduced the risk of surgery in DUB patients with or without comorbidities. Regardless of childbirth status or whether patients took NSAIDs, tranexamic acid or progesterone, fewer patients in the CHM cohort underwent surgery than in the non-CHM cohort. The most commonly prescribed single herb and formula were Yi-Mu-Cao (Herba Leonuri) and Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, respectively.Conclusion: The real-world data revealed that CHM is associated with a reduced surgery rate in DUB patients. This information may be provided for further clinical investigations and policy-making.Keywords: complementary and alternative medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, hysterectomy, National Health Insurance Research Database, surgery

Abstract Background Medical research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased recently, raising ethical concerns about the moral status of CAM. Medical academic journals are responsible for conducting ethical review (ER) of manuscripts to protect the interests of human subjects and to make ethical results available before deciding to publish. However, there has been no systematic analysis of the ER in CAM journals. This study is aim to evaluate the current status of ethical requirements and compliance in CAM journals. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. We reviewed instructions for authors (IFAs) of CAM journals included in the Journal Citation Reports (2021) ( https://jcr.clarivate.com ) for general information and requirements for ER. We also browsed the manuscripts regarding randomized controlled trials published by CAM journals in Q1 and Q2 section from January to June, 2023, to check the actual situation of ethical requirement. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results 27 journals and 68 manuscripts were ultimately included. 92.6% (25/27) IFAs included keywords of ER, indicating the presence of ethical considerations. However, no specific ER was required for CAM (n = 0). We categorized journals by Geographic origin, JCR section, Year of electronic JCR, Types of studies, % of OA Gold to explore the factors that could influence CAM journals to have certain ethical review policies. The results showed there was no statistical significance in certain ethical review policy in any classification of journals (p > 0.05). All RCT manuscripts included in the study generally met the requirements of the published journals for ethical review. Conclusions All IFAs discussed ER, but the content was scattered, unfocused, and there were no specific ER requirements regarding CAM. Although the manuscripts basically met the requirements of the journal, it was not possible to get closer to the process of ER in the manuscript. To ensure full implementation of these policies in the future, CAM journals should require authors to provide more details, or to form a list of items necessary for CAM ethical review.

Background: Cancer patients frequently suffer pain as one of their symptoms. It includes acute and chronic pain and is one of the most feared symptoms for patients. About one-third of adults actively undergoing cancer treatment suffer from pain related to their condition. Cancer pain control remains suboptimal due to a lack of assessment, knowledge, and access. Fire needle therapy, a traditional Chinese medicine, offers a potentially beneficial addition to current pain management approaches. This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis to compile evidence and examine the pain-relieving effects and safety of fire needle therapy for cancer patients. Methods and analysis: We will systematically search China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China Science and Technology Journal Database (CSTJ or VIP), PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Chictr), Opengrey, Worldcat, and Scopus from inception through July 2023. Random control trials (RCTs) include all types of cancer patients (age ≥ 18 years) complaining of pain. The primary outcome will be changes in pain intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), or Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Secondary outcomes include quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and GCQ), performance status (KPS), times of burst pain, treatment response rate, the dose reduction of analgesic drugs, and side effects rates. Utilizing the Cochrane risk bias measurement tool: Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2), the trials' quality will be evaluated, and meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan software (version 5.4). Discussion: This systematic review will be the first comprehensive review of the literature to provide a meta-analysis of fire needle therapy for cancer pain, including only Random control trials (RCTs). For the sake of transparency and to avoid future duplication, the publication of this protocol offers a clear illustration of the procedures utilized in this evaluation. The results of our future studies may provide a new approach and theoretical basis for the treatment of cancer pain by medical oncology professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Available data suggest that general practitioners (GPs) in Germany use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities more frequently than GPs in many other countries. We investigated the country differences perceived by general practitioners who have worked in Germany and in one of four other European countries with regard to the role of complementary and alternative treatments in primary care. Methods: In this qualitative study we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 GPs who had worked both in Germany and Italy, the Netherlands, Norway or the United Kingdom (UK; n = 3 for each of the four countries). Participants were asked how they perceived and experienced country differences regarding health system, relevance of CAM modalities, the role of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and science, and how they handle so-called indeterminate situations. For the analysis, we followed a thematic analysis approach according to Braun and Clarke with focus on themes that cover CAM. Results: Participants unanimously reported that they perceived CAM to be more relevant in general practice in Germany compared to the other countries. We identified four overarching themes in relation to the perceived reasons for these differences. Firstly, physicians with experiences in countries with a strong EBM and science orientation (Netherlands, Norway and the UK) considered the deeply ingrained view in national healthcare systems and GP communities that CAM modalities are not evidence-based as the main reason for the lower use of CAM by GPs. Secondly, extensive training of communication skills was cited as a reason that reduced the need for CAM in the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. Thirdly, differences in patient expectations and demands were perceived as a factor contributing to greater utilisation of CAM by German GPs compared to the other countries. Finally, country-specific reimbursement mechanisms were considered as a factor influencing the role of CAM in general practice. Conclusions: The study results point to major differences between countries with regard to the role of CAM in GP care. Differences in basic attitudes in the discipline of general practice, patient expectations and system conditions appear to play an important role here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use on functional status and pain relief in patients with Chronic Rheumatic Diseases (CRDs) using the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). This cross-sectional multicentre study involved patients from rheumatology outpatient clinics who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) criteria for rheumatic disease diagnosis. The exclusion criteria included acute flares or comorbid conditions that could interfere with the outcomes. Data collection included demographic and clinical data, pharmacotherapy, CAM usage, and its impact on the VAS and HAQ scales. The study included 126 patients. A significant proportion (57%) reported CAM use, with a preference for one (67%) or multiple (33%) modalities. CAM users exhibited significantly lower VAS scores, indicating reduced pain perception, and lower HAQ scores, suggesting better functional status than non-users. Correlation analyses highlighted strong positive associations between patient age, disease duration, and CAM use preference, as well as between educational level and specific CAM therapies. CAM use among patients with CRDs is associated with significant improvements in pain perception and functional capacity, as evidenced by lower VAS and HAQ scores. These findings suggest the potential of CAM to complement conventional rheumatology treatments, highlighting its value in patient-centered care and indicating its role in improving patient outcomes. However, the study's cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data necessitate further research for causal inferences and robust establishment of CAM efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tension-type headache (TTH) is common but challenging to manage due to limited effectiveness of conventional treatments. This study examines six complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions through network meta-analysis to identify effective TTH management strategies. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OVID, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM databases for randomized controlled trials on CAM for TTH treatment. Headache frequency and intensity were the primary outcomes. Methodological quality was evaluated on the basis of the Cochrane risk of bias tool. We used R software to conduct this Bayesian network meta-analysis. We used mean difference (MD) with 95% credible intervals (CI) to calculate the continuous outcomes and analyzed the percentages of the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve. Results: In total, 32 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2405 participants were analyzed. For reducing headache intensity, the network meta-analysis shows that acupuncture therapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine (AT_TCM), manual therapy (MT), psychological treatment (PT), and traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and manual therapy (TCM_AT_MT) are superior to Western medicine (WM). In the SUCRA curve, TCM_AT_MT is the best for reducing headache frequency (HF). Conclusions: This review, assessed as low-quality evidence by GRADE, cautiously suggests potential benefits of PT over other CAM interventions for TTH and indicates TCM_AT_MT might better reduce HF. It proposes that combining CAM interventions could enhance outcomes. Due to the preliminary nature of these findings, further high-quality RCTs are essential to confirm these suggestions and provide clearer clinical guidance. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42021252073. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Managing cancer symptoms while patients receive systemic treatment remains a challenge in oncology. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches like virtual reality (VR) and neurofeedback (NF) in tandem with systemic treatment might reduce symptom burden for patients. The combination of VR + NF as a CAM intervention approach is novel and understudied, particularly as it relates to supportive cancer care. The purpose of this study is to summarize our VR + NF study protocol and share preliminary results regarding study retention (across 2 treatment sessions) and preliminary impact of VR or VR + NF on patient-reported outcomes such as anxiety and pain. Methods We utilized a parallel arm trial design to compare preliminary impact of VR only and VR + NF on cancer symptoms among patients who are actively receiving cancer treatment. Results Sixty-seven percent (n = 20) of participants returned to participate in a second VR session, and the rates of return were the same between the VR groups. Patients in the VR + NF group showed improvements in anxiety after both sessions, while patients in the VR only group showed significant improvements in pain and depression after both sessions. Patients in the VR + NF group showed improved pain after session 1. Significance of results This study demonstrates that patients can be retained over multiple treatment sessions and that VR and NF remain promising treatment approaches with regard to impact on patient-reported outcomes like anxiety and pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the general population is expanding, there remains a scarcity of studies investigating the efficacy and utilisation of CAM practices, specifically in the paediatric population. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of the parental utilisation of CAM in their dependents is estimated to reach up to 80%. This literature review identified broad, heterogeneous, and inconclusive evidence regarding CAM's applications and effectiveness, primarily attributed to variance in sociodemographic factors and differences in national healthcare systems. Additionally, the review identified a lack of consensus and polarised positions among mainstream professionals regarding the mechanisms of action, applications, and effectiveness of CAM. This narrative review presents varied results concerning the efficacy of most CAM therapies and their applications; however, some evidence suggests potential benefits for acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, and massage in improving physical and mental health. Moreover, the available evidence indicates that meditation may enhance mental health, while reiki may only influence patients' perceptions of comfort. In light of the intricate and multifaceted nature of herbal medicine, it is imperative to assess its efficacy on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific compounds and procedures involved. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for health professionals, offering guidance for personalised healthcare approaches that consider the values and beliefs of patients, thereby facilitating integrated, evidence-based practices aimed at enhancing the quality of healthcare services and patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased recently, raising ethical concerns about the moral status of CAM. Medical academic journals are responsible for conducting ethical review (ER) of manuscripts to protect the interests of human subjects and to make ethical results available before deciding to publish. However, there has been no systematic analysis of the ER in CAM journals. This study is aim to evaluate the current status of ethical requirements and compliance in CAM journals. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. We reviewed instructions for authors (IFAs) of CAM journals included in the Journal Citation Reports (2021) (https://jcr.clarivate.com) for general information and requirements for ER. We also browsed the manuscripts regarding randomized controlled trials published by CAM journals in Q1 and Q2 section from January to June, 2023, to check the actual situation of ethical requirement. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results: 27 journals and 68 manuscripts were ultimately included. 92.6% (25/27) IFAs included keywords of ER, indicating the presence of ethical considerations. However, no specific ER was required for CAM (n = 0). We categorized journals by Geographic origin, JCR section, Year of electronic JCR, Types of studies, % of OA Gold to explore the factors that could influence CAM journals to have certain ethical review policies. The results showed there was no statistical significance in certain ethical review policy in any classification of journals (p > 0.05). All RCT manuscripts included in the study generally met the requirements of the published journals for ethical review. Conclusions: All IFAs discussed ER, but the content was scattered, unfocused, and there were no specific ER requirements regarding CAM. Although the manuscripts basically met the requirements of the journal, it was not possible to get closer to the process of ER in the manuscript. To ensure full implementation of these policies in the future, CAM journals should require authors to provide more details, or to form a list of items necessary for CAM ethical review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meditation, yoga, guided imagery, and progressive relaxation are promoted as complementary approaches for health and wellbeing in the United States, but their uptake by different sociodemographic groups is unclear. This study assessed the prevalence and 20 year trends in the use of these practices in US adults between 2002–2022. We examined practice use and associations with sociodemographic and health factors in a population-weighted analysis of n = 134,959 participants across 5 cycles of the National Health Interview Survey. The overall use of meditation (18.3%, 60.53 million), yoga (16.8%, 55.78 million) and guided imagery/progressive relaxation (6.7%, 22.22 million) increased significantly from 2002 to 2022. Growth was consistent across most sociodemographic and health strata, however users of 'Other' race (comprising 54% Indigenous Americans, Odds Ratios; ORs = 1.28–1.70) and users with moderate (ORs = 1.19–1.29) psychological distress were overrepresented across all practices, and those with severe psychological distress were overrepresented in meditation (OR = 1.33) and guided imagery/progressive relaxation (OR = 1.42). Meditation use has accelerated over time for 65 + year olds (OR = 4.22), people not accessing mental health care (OR = 1.39), and less educated (OR = 4.02) groups, potentially reflecting unmet health needs. Health professionals should consider the extensive use of complementary practices in service and treatment planning and consider their risks and benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness meditation has enjoyed growing popularity in the UK over the last few decades and is increasingly found in many educational settings. To date, existing empirical research on mindfulness in education has focused primarily on its efficacy, rather than more sociological concerns. This article draws on qualitative data from a major research study entitled 'Mapping Mindfulness in the UK' to investigate the motivations and aspirations of mindfulness practitioners for promoting and delivering mindfulness in educational contexts. The analysis argues that some of the existing theoretical critiques of mindfulness as a neo-liberalising self-technology are too reductive and do not take adequate account of the views and experiences of practitioners. For participants in this study, mindfulness in education was more than an individualised self-help therapeutic tool, but was instead a uniquely versatile practice, representing multiple possibilities for individuals and society. The research makes significant contributions to several fields of sociological inquiry, including on mindfulness, mental health and wellbeing, and education and citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This narrative review aims to summarize the use of alternative treatments (e.g., relaxation training, meditation, written intervention) for emotional expression, processing, control, or management in patients with migraine and tension-type headaches, which the previous literature has shown to be related to migraine pain perception and headache symptoms. Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Medline were searched to identify studies published between 2000 and 2023. A descriptive synthesis of the included studies was conducted. We included seven articles after screening 1.173 records. A total of 610 patients with a diagnosis of migraine or tension-type headache, and an average age of 19–45.5 years (68–90.4% females) were recruited in the selected studies. Overall, the results show that alternative approaches to headache treatment contribute to the management, reduction, or control of negative emotions and at the same time have a positive impact on pain perception and headache symptoms. However, in some cases, the effects are more promising than others, depending on the peculiarities or limitations of each approach considered. This review provides useful insights from a methodological point of view for future studies on the management or control of negative emotions in patients with migraine and tension-type headache. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the associations between baseline demographics, health conditions, pain management strategies, and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) measures with pain management strategies at 3-month follow-up in respondents reporting current low-back pain (LBP). Study design: Cohort study of survey data collected from adults with LBP sampled from Amazon Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing panel. Methods: Demographics, health conditions, and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-10 were included in the baseline survey. Respondents reporting LBP completed a more comprehensive survey inquiring about pain management strategies and several HRQoL measures. Bivariate then multivariate logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between baseline characteristics and pain management utilization at 3-month follow-up. Model fit statistics were evaluated to assess the predictive value. Results: The final cohort included 717 respondents with completed surveys. The most prevalent pain management strategy at follow-up was other care (n = 474), followed by no care (n = 94), conservative care only (n = 76), medical care only (n = 51), and medical and conservative care combined (n = 22). The conservative care only group had higher (better) mental and physical health PROMIS-10 scores as opposed to the medical care only and combination care groups, which had lower (worse) physical health scores. In multivariate models, estimated ORs (95% CIs) for the association between baseline and follow-up pain management ranged from 4.6 (2.7-7.8) for conservative care only to 16.8 (6.9-40.7) for medical care only. Additional significant baseline predictors included age, income, education, workman's compensation claim, Oswestry Disability Index score, and Global Chronic Pain Scale grade. Conclusions: This study provides important information regarding the association between patient characteristics, HRQoL measures, and LBP-related pain management utilization.

Background: The use of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) is commonly used among pediatric patients for various conditions. Pediatrics clinicians’ and researchers’ perceptions towards the incorporation of CAIM therapies have varied. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of both pediatrics researchers and clinicians regarding CAIM. Methods: We conducted a large-scale, international cross-sectional online survey with published pediatrics authors who have published their work in pediatrics medical journals that are indexed in MEDLINE. In total, 34 494 researchers and clinicians were invited to complete the survey. The survey recorded respondents’ perceptions on various CAIM therapies. Descriptive statistics were generated from the quantitative survey results. A thematic analysis was conducted for responses to open ended questions. Results: In total, 731 pediatrics clinicians and/or researchers responded to the survey, with about half of the respondents being faculty members/principal investigators (56.10 %) and/or clinicians (43.45 %) and from the Americas (46.56 %) or Europe (30.53 %). Over half of the respondents viewed mind-body therapies favourably (62.01 %) and the fewest respondents held favourable perceptions of biofield therapies (6.98 %). Respondents agreed or strongly agreed that there is value in conducting further research on CAIM therapies (85.52 %) and disagreed or strongly disagreed that they felt comfortable recommending most CAIM therapies to patients (64.83 %). A thematic analysis of our findings demonstrates that many pediatrics clinicians and/or researchers support further research on CAIM. Conclusion: The findings from this study demonstrate that pediatrics clinicians and researchers have varying perceptions towards CAIM therapies. Respondents had the most positive perceptions of mind-body therapies and felt they did not have adequate training on CAIM. Further research is needed to establish more evidence-based educational resources on CAIM.

Complementary healthcare in the United Kingdom is subject to voluntary, publicly funded regulation. Many such practices include pseudoscience. There are concerns that regulated practitioners make misleading health claims. This study used an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to measure the prevalence of such claims. Websites operated by practitioners of pseudoscientific complementary and alternative medicine, registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council, were downloaded and assessed by the AI, which determined whether a website was relevant to the investigation and, if so, identified health-related claims that it judged as false or misleading, supplying a rationale. Of 6096 registrants, 1326 met the selection criteria, of which 872 clinics had 725 relevant and operational websites. The AI assessed text from 11 771 web pages, identifying false or misleading claims in 704 (97%) of the websites. The AI’s performance was quality-assured by four human assessors, who manually reviewed 23 relevant web pages. Humans identified on average 39.5 claims likely to be judged false or misleading by advertising regulators, the AI identified 36. Humans misidentified an average of 4.8 claims, AI misidentified two. Most practitioners of pseudoscientific therapies registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council make misleading health claims online. AI could support regulator efficiency.

Abstract Background While many patients with neurological disorders and conditions use complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM), little is known about the use, perceptions, and attitudes regarding CAIM among published neurology authors. With the increasing popularity of CAIM, our objective was to assess practices, perceptions, and attitudes towards CAIM among published neurology authors. Methods We conducted an anonymous online survey of authors who had published articles in neurology journals indexed in MEDLINE. We emailed potential participants our cross-sectional electronic survey after extracting their email addresses from one of their publications in our sample of journals. Basic descriptive statistics were drawn from quantitative data, and thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from any open-ended questions. Results The survey was completed by 783 published neurology authors (1.7% response rate, 83.9% completion rate). Overall, respondents perceived CAIM to be promising in preventing, treating, and/or managing neurological diseases. Mind-body therapies received the most positive responses, indicated by over half of respondents cumulatively agreeing that they are promising (n = 368, 59.0%) and safe (n = 280, 50.3%). Whole medical systems and biofield therapy were less favourable. Most neurology clinicians reported a lack of formal (n = 211, 70.3%) and supplementary training (n = 158, 52.5%) on CAIM. Nearly half of clinicians did not feel comfortable counselling patients about CAIM therapies (n = 121, 44.5%), and over half did not feel comfortable recommending them (n = 161, 59.3%). A lack of scientific evidence for CAIM’s safety and efficacy was reported as the greatest challenge to CAIM (n = 515, 92.5%). The majority of respondents believed there is value to conducting research on this topic (n = 461, 82.0%) and supported increasing allocation of research funding towards CAIM (n = 241, 58.9%). Conclusions Although many participants found CAIM to be promising to the field of neurology, the vast majority did not feel open to integrating CAIM into mainstream medical practices on account of a perceived lack of scientific evidence for its safety and efficacy. Future studies can use our findings to gather more detailed insights, improve educational resources on CAIM within neurology, as well as examine what effects a tailored CAIM education has on the perceptions and attitudes of published neurology authors towards CAIM.

Abstract Introduction Tension-type headache (TTH) is common but challenging to manage due to limited effectiveness of conventional treatments. This study examines six complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions through network meta-analysis to identify effective TTH management strategies. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OVID, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM databases for randomized controlled trials on CAM for TTH treatment. Headache frequency and intensity were the primary outcomes. Methodological quality was evaluated on the basis of the Cochrane risk of bias tool. We used R software to conduct this Bayesian network meta-analysis. We used mean difference (MD) with 95% credible intervals (CI) to calculate the continuous outcomes and analyzed the percentages of the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve. Results In total, 32 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2405 participants were analyzed. For reducing headache intensity, the network meta-analysis shows that acupuncture therapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine (AT_TCM), manual therapy (MT), psychological treatment (PT), and traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and manual therapy (TCM_AT_MT) are superior to Western medicine (WM). In the SUCRA curve, TCM_AT_MT is the best for reducing headache frequency (HF). Conclusions This review, assessed as low-quality evidence by GRADE, cautiously suggests potential benefits of PT over other CAM interventions for TTH and indicates TCM_AT_MT might better reduce HF. It proposes that combining CAM interventions could enhance outcomes. Due to the preliminary nature of these findings, further high-quality RCTs are essential to confirm these suggestions and provide clearer clinical guidance. PROSPERO Registration Number CRD42021252073.

Alzheimer's disease currently affects more than 35 million individuals worldwide. Aluminium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cognitive disorders. Meanwhile, aluminium chloride (AlCl3) has a significant impact on the progression of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. The majority of Alzheimer's disease medications now on the market are cholinesterase inhibitors. However, the effectiveness of these drugs is limited because they can't totally arrest the progression of the disease. The utilization of medicinal plants and natural products may present excellent prospective options for Alzheimer's disease prevention and therapy. This study summarized medicinal plants and natural products for the prevention and treatment of AlCl3-induced Alzheimer’s disease as an alternative therapy using published data in the literature from the years 2021-2023. The medicinal plants and natural products help to reduce Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis by controlling different pathways and could be used as a therapeutic agent against the symptoms. The majority of the medicinal plants and natural products discussed in this review have been shown to have neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory, anticholinesterase, anti-apoptotic, and therapeutic actions. Therefore, medicinal plants and natural products may offer neuroprotective and therapeutic effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.