The Feasibility and Effectiveness of Online Guided Imagery Training for Health Professionals
This study evaluated the feasibility and impact of brief online guided imagery training (up to 3 hours) for health professionals. Paired t tests were used to measure pre-to-post-training changes in stress (Perceived Stress Scale,), anxiety (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–Anxiety Scale), empathy (Empathic Concern Scale, and Perspective-taking Scale), and self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy in providing Non-Drug Therapies Scale). Online guided imagery training attracted diverse health professionals and trainees (n = 273; 14% trainees; 34% registered nurses, 20% physicians, 14% social workers, 5% regi...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Rao, N., Kemper, K. J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Patients Evaluation of Intervention by a Medical Clown Visit or by Viewing a Humorous Film Following In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer
This study compared responses to an in-person clown visit and a humorous film following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Intervention was a 10-minute clown visit (n = 101) or 10-minute humorous video clip (n = 99). Demographic and fertility-related data and preintervention anxiety scores were collected. Participants completed an Evaluation of Intervention form postintervention. There were no group differences on demographic or fertility-related data or anxiety scores. Findings indicate while participants viewed the intervention positively, the clown visit offered a higher degree of satisfaction in more patients ...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Friedler, S., Glasser, S., Levitan, G., Hadar, D., Sasi, B.-E., Lerner-Geva, L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effectiveness of Anise Oil for Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Active and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Depression is a prevalent disorder among patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. The current study was performed to evaluate the effect of a traditional Persian medicine product, anise oil, in removing the symptoms of mild to moderate depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In a randomized double-blinded active and placebo controlled clinical trial, 120 participants with mild to moderate depression according to the Beck Depression Inventory–II total scores were categorized into 3 equal groups and received anise oil, Colpermin, and placebo. The results at the end of trial (week 4) and follow-up...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Mosaffa-Jahromi, M., Tamaddon, A.-M., Afsharypuor, S., Salehi, A., Seradj, S. H., Pasalar, M., Jafari, P., Lankarani, K. B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effect of Prayer on Intensity of Migraine Headache: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Conclusions. The present study revealed that prayer can be used as a nonpharmacologic pain coping strategy in addition to pharmacologic intervention for this group of patients. (Source: Complementary Health Practice Review)
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tajadini, H., Zangiabadi, N., Divsalar, K., Safizadeh, H., Esmaili, Z., Rafiei, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Antileishmanial Activities of Greek Juniper (Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb.) Against Leishmania major Promastigotes
Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb. from the family Cupressaceae) were evaluated for antileishmanial activities against Leishmania major promastigotes compared to meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime). In vitro toxicity assay was performed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and microplate ELISA reader. Extracts were prepared in ethanol/dimethyl sulfoxide (80/20) at 10 to 0.62 mg/mL. The standard was prepared in phosphate-buffered saline at 500 to 15.62 mg/mL. Both leaf and fruit extracts and related fractions showed st...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Moein, M., Hatam, G., Taghavi-Moghadam, R., Zarshenas, M. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

The Effect of Hollyhock (Althaea officinalis L) Leaf Compresses Combined With Warm and Cold Compress on Breast Engorgement in Lactating Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Breast engorgement affects lactation. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of hollyhock combined with warm and cold compresses on improving breast engorgement in lactating women. Participants included 40 women with breast engorgement divided into intervention and control groups, with participants in both groups being applied routine interventions and warm compress before nursing and a cold compress after nursing; however, the intervention group was also applied hollyhock compress. Both groups received these treatments 6 times during 2 days. The data collected were analyzed in SPSS-16 using a generalized ...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Khosravan, S., Mohammadzadeh-Moghadam, H., Mohammadzadeh, F., Fadafen, S. A. K., Gholami, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Exploring the Effectiveness of External Use of Bach Flower Remedies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Conclusion. The proposed BFR cream could be an effective intervention in the management of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, reducing the severity symptoms and providing pain relief. (Source: Complementary Health Practice Review)
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Rivas-Suarez, S. R., Aguila-Vazquez, J., Suarez-Rodriguez, B., Vazquez-Leon, L., Casanova-Giral, M., Morales-Morales, R., Rodriguez-Martin, B. C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Topical use of Matricaria recutita L (Chamomile) Oil in the Treatment of Monosymptomatic Enuresis in Children: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Conclusion. The findings of this study showed that the topical use of (chamomile) oil can decrease the frequency of nocturia in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal or daytime enuresis. (Source: Complementary Health Practice Review)
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Sharifi, H., Minaie, M. B., Qasemzadeh, M. J., Ataei, N., Gharehbeglou, M., Heydari, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis From the Perspective of Traditional Persian Medicine: Presentation of a Novel Therapeutic Approach
There is a strong current trend for using complementary and alternative medications to treat atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, pruritic, and inflammatory skin disease. It can have a profound, negative effect on patients’ quality of life. Mild cases of atopic dermatitis can be controlled by the application of moisturizers and topical corticosteroids. However, in severe cases, application of immunosuppressive medication is unavoidable but it can have adverse effects. In traditional Persian medicine, diseases similar to resistant atopic dermatitis are treated with whey in combination with decoct...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 4, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Choopani, R., Mehrbani, M., Fekri, A., Mehrabani, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

The Role of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) Pollen in Fertility: A Comprehensive Review of Current Evidence
Date palm pollen (DPP) is the male reproductive dust of palm flowers used as dietary supplement especially as aphrodisiac and fertility enhancer in both women and men from ancient times. Although there are few clinical trials evaluating the beneficial effects of DPP in humans, various experimental studies have been conducted on the reproductive effects of DPP. Among the compounds isolated from DPP are amino acids, fatty acids, flavonoids, saponins, and estroles. The present review summarizes comprehensive information concerning the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of DPP and its application in fertility disord...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - September 27, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tahvilzadeh, M., Hajimahmoodi, M., Rahimi, R. Tags: Topical Review Articles Source Type: research

Efficacy of Warm Needle Moxibustion on Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Meta-Analysis
Conclusion. Warm needle moxibustion is superior to acupuncture and manipulation in terms of efficiency rate, excellent rate, and controlling of pain for lumbar disc herniation, but it is similar when compared with NSAIDs and Chinese medicine. (Source: Complementary Health Practice Review)
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - September 27, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Li, X., Han, Y., Cui, J., Yuan, P., Di, Z., Li, L. Tags: Topical Review Articles Source Type: research

A Survey of Medical Students Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Urmia, Iran
This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of medical students toward complementary and alternative medicine in Urmia, Iran. A structured questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. One hundred questionnaires were returned. Thirty-one percent of students reported use of alternative medicine for at least once. Iranian Traditional Medicine was the main type of alternative medicine used by medical students (93.5%). Neuromuscular disorders were the main indication of alternative medicine use among students (34.4%). Ninety percent of participants demonstrated competent knowledge about acupuncture whil...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - September 27, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Sadeghi, M., Rabiepoor, S., Forough, A. S., Jabbari, S., Shahabi, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Evaluating Nonattachment and Decentering as Possible Mediators of the Link Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress in a Nonclinical College Sample
Although increasing evidence shows that mindfulness is positively related to mental health, the nature and mechanisms of this relationship are not fully understood. Based on previous research findings and suggestions, the authors of the current study hypothesized that decentering and nonattachment are 2 variables that mediate the relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress. A nonclinical, non-treatment-seeking sample of 308 students and employees from a middle-class, primarily Caucasian university filled out mindfulness, decentering, nonattachment, and mental distress measures online. Mediational analyses f...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - September 27, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Bhambhani, Y., Cabral, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effectiveness of a Pilot Mindfulness Program in Volunteers of a Breast Cancer Association
It has been usually observed that medical and health personnel, volunteers, and social workers who work with cancer and chronic patients may have higher rates of compassion fatigue and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits of a pilot mindfulness program in a sample of 7 volunteers of a foundation that supports women with breast cancer. The variables analyzed were depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, work stress, and negative and positive affect. The results showed that the mindfulness program had a positive impact, reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression and i...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - September 27, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Cucarella, S. P., Giannini, M. C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Integrative Medical Care Plus Mindfulness Training for Patients With Congestive Heart Failure: Proof of Concept
Congestive heart failure (CHF) has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. It is often accompanied by other medical and psychosocial comorbidities that complicate treatment and adherence. We conducted a proof of concept pilot project to determine the feasibility of providing integrative group medical visits plus mindfulness training for patients recently discharged with CHF. Patients were eligible if they had been discharged from an inpatient stay for CHF within the 12 months prior to the new program. The Compassionate Approach to Lifestyle and Mind–Body (CALM) Skills for Patients with CHF consisted of 8 weekly visit...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - September 27, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Kemper, K. J., Carmin, C., Mehta, B., Binkley, P. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research