This study aims at investigating changes in heart rate variability (HRV) measured during meditation. The statistical and spectral measures of HRV from the RR intervals were analyzed. Results indicate that meditation may have different effects on health depending on frequency of the resonant peak that each meditator can achieve. The possible effects may concern resetting baroreflex sensitivity, increasing the parasympathetic tone, and improving efficiency of gas exchange in the lung.

Int J Cardiol. 2007 Aug 29 Phongsuphap S, Pongsupap Y, Chandanamattha P, Lursinsap C. Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

CAM therapies have become increasingly popular in pediatric populations. Yet, little is known about children's preferences for CAM. This study examined treatment preferences in chronic pediatric pain patients offered a choice of CAM therapies for their pain. Participants were 129 children (94 girls) (mean age = 14.5 years +/- 2.4; range = 8-18 years) presenting at a multidisciplinary, tertiary clinic specializing in pediatric chronic pain. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationships between CAM treatment preferences and patient's sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as their self-reported level of functioning. Over 60% of patients elected to try at least one CAM approach for pain. The most popular CAM therapies were biofeedback, yoga and hypnosis; the least popular were art therapy and energy healing, with craniosacral, acupuncture and massage being intermediate. Patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (80%) were the most likely to try CAM versus those with other pain diagnoses. In multivariate analyses, pain duration emerged as a significant predictor of CAM preferences. For mind-based approaches (i.e. hypnosis, biofeedback and art therapy), pain duration and limitations in family activities were both significant predictors. When given a choice of CAM therapies, this sample of children with chronic pain, irrespective of pain diagnosis, preferred non-invasive approaches that enhanced relaxation and increased somatic control. Longer duration of pain and greater impairment in functioning, particularly during family activities increased the likelihood that such patients agreed to engage in CAM treatments, especially those that were categorized as mind-based modalities.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 Sep;4(3):367-74. Tsao JC, Meldrum M, Kim SC, Jacob MC, Zeltzer LK. Pediatric Pain Program, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, John C. Liebeskind History of Pain Collection, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, UCLA and Department of History, UCLA USA.

by Steven R. Vazquez, Ph.D.

(This is an abstract from an article which appeared in Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine Volume Seventeen, Number Two)

New breakthroughs in the use of color as a healing agent for rapid recovery of trauma, depression, physical pain and spiritual blockages have elevated the power of color for healing. These historical, religious and neurophysiological contexts of color are reviewed herein. Then factors of length of viewing time, brightness, saturation, visual depth perception, angle of viewing, hue, strobic emission and the emotional state of the subject at the time of viewing are elaborated as critical issues that amplify therapeutic effects. When these factors are combines with the recent findings of interpersonal neurobiology to facilitate processes with color a new synthesis for rapid transformation is achieved.

Steven Vazquez 1241 Southridge Court, Suite 105. Hurst, TX 76053 srv@lightworkassociates.com

For more information visit www.LightWorkAssociated.com.