by Alexander R. Lees, DCH, RCC

In our zest to apply the tapping (such as EFT) efficiently, we sometimes phrase this desire in our mind as: "The more tapping, the better." This can be quite a valid assumption, to a point! While teaching EFT, I have observed some practitioners begin tapping the 'client' within a few seconds of sitting down, and continuously doing so throughout the session. Others do not. The question I am asked by students is essentially the following, "Which is the right way?" By way of helping them to understand this issue more fully, I usually suggest they ask: "What is the difference that makes the difference?"

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Full Title: Cardiac Autonomic Regulation under Hypnosis Assessed by Heart Rate Variability: Spectral Analysis and Fractal Complexity

Objective: This study examined the effects of hypnosis on autonomic cardiac control. We hypothesized a modification of autonomic modulation of the heart rate with an enhanced vagal tone during hypnosis compared to baseline. Methods: In 12 healthy subjects (6 men and 6 women, 22.2 +/- 1.0 years of age) ECG was recorded at baseline and during hypnosis. Heart rate variability parameters were obtained in the frequency domain (LFnu: low frequency normalized units, and HFnu: high frequency normalized units) and from nonlinear analysis methods (detrended fluctuation analysis, DFA). Results: Compared to the control condition, hypnosis showed a significantly decreased LFnu, a significantly increased HFnu, and a significantly decreased LF/HF. DFA showed a significantly decreased short-range similarity. Heart rate remained unchanged. Conclusion: Autonomic cardiac tone is significantly modified during hypnosis by shifting the balance of the sympathovagal interaction toward an enhanced parasympathetic modulation, accompanied by a reduction of the sympathetic tone and a decreased short-range similarity but without a concomitant change in heart rate. Central and secondary autonomous nervous system changes induced by hypnosis are a possible explanation for our results. Another highly probable explanation is given by a variation in the depth of respiration. Hypnosis appears to prevent the autonomic responses expected during neutral stimulation. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Neuropsychobiology. 2009 Sep 21;60(2):104-112. Aubert AE, Verheyden B, Beckers F, Tack J, Vandenberghe J. Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Full Title: Effects of a full-body massage on pain intensity, anxiety, and physiological relaxation in Taiwanese patients with metastatic bone pain: a pilot study

Bone involvement, a hallmark of advanced cancer, results in intolerable pain, substantial morbidity, and impaired quality of life in 34%-45% of cancer patients. Despite the publication of 15 studies on massage therapy (MT) in cancer patients, little is known about the longitudinal effects of MT and safety in cancer patients with bone metastasis. The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility of MT and to examine the effects of MT on present pain intensity (PPI), anxiety, and physiological relaxation over a 16- to 18-hour period in 30 Taiwanese cancer patients with bone metastases. A quasi-experimental, one-group, pretest-post-test design with repeated measures was used to examine the time effects of MT using single-item scales for pain (PPI-visual analog scale [VAS]) and anxiety (anxiety-VAS), the modified Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MSF-MPQ), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). MT was shown to have effective immediate [t(29)=16.5, P=0.000; t(29)=8.9, P=0.000], short-term (20-30 minutes) [t(29)=9.3, P=0.000; t(29)=10.1, P=0.000], intermediate (1-2.5 hours) [t(29)=7.9, P=0.000; t(29)=8.9, P=0.000], and long-term benefits (16-18 hours) [t(29)=4.0, P=0.000; t(29)=5.7, P=0.000] on PPI and anxiety. The most significant impact occurred 15 [F=11.5(1,29), P<0.002] or 20 [F=20.4(1,29), P<0.000] minutes after the intervention. There were no significant time effects in decreasing or increasing HR and MAP. No patient reported any adverse effects as a result of MT. Clinically, the time effects of MT can assist health care providers in implementing MT along with pharmacological treatment, thereby enhancing cancer pain management. Randomized clinical trials are needed to validate the effectiveness of MT in this cancer population.

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Apr;37(4):754-63. Jane SW, Wilkie DJ, Gallucci BB, Beaton RD, Huang HY. Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. swjane@gw.cgit.edu.tw

by Lawrence Gold

We become how we live.

As we recognize the brain as an organ of learning and conditioning, an explanation of how stress leads to the formation of tension patterns in the musculature becomes possible.

Our brain is dedicated 90% to two basic functions: sensing and moving. We learn on the basis of sensory impressions linked with movement (or tension) patterns. Without some sort of response to a stimulus being evoked, any stimulus is meaningless, without significance. Without some sort of response, no experiencing is possible. Stimulus and response, sensing and moving go together, and moving always involves muscular tension.

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Avghi Constantinides D.hom HMC MA Has been named as one of the best homeopaths that California has to offer. She holds a BS in Nutrition, a Masters in Homeopathy, a Diploma in Homeopathy and is a Homeopathic Master Clinician.

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The effect of a tea fortified with five herbs selected from Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for their putative immunoenhancing effect (Withania somnifera, Glycyrrhzia glabra, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum sanctum and Elettaria cardamomum) on innate immunity was investigated. Ex vivo natural killer (NK) cell activity was assessed after consumption of fortified tea compared with regular tea in two independent double-blind intervention studies. Both studies were conducted in India with healthy volunteers (age >/= 55 years) selected for a relatively low baseline NK cell activity and a history of recurrent coughs and colds. In a pilot study conducted with 32 volunteers, the consumption of Natural Care tea significantly improved the NK cell activity of the volunteers in comparison with a population consuming regular tea. These results were validated in an independent crossover study with 110 volunteers. Data from these two studies indicate that regular consumption of the tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs enhanced NK cell activity, which is an important aspect of the (early) innate immune response to infections. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Phytother Res. 2009 Jun 5. Bhat J, Damle A, Vaishnav PP, Albers R, Joshi M, Banerjee G. Unilever Food and Health Research Institute, Unilever Research India, 64, Main Road, Whitefield, Bangalore 560066, India.

by Andrew McCombe

Overcoming fear, eliminating cravings or losing weight is as simple as a tap on the head!

For many years as a sport scientist, personal trainer, life coach and EFT Practitioner, I have been working with clients who come to me for advice about how they can improve the performance and quality of their bodies; some want help to lose weight and tone up, others need to reduce their blood pressure and the effects of stress, some want to put on muscle and everyone wants to look and feel better. But, invariably I have found that it is never my client's physical bodies that require improvement in the first instance.

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BACKGROUND: Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disease of the urinary bladder in which the lining may become inflamed and ulcerated, resulting in pain, urinary frequency and urgency. While traditional hypnotherapy has been shown effective in treating IC, some clients do not want the use of suggestion, daily self-hypnosis or extended treatment. CASE: A woman presented with a 9-year medical history of IC without resolution despite multiple medical treatments. Six sessions with Dr. Sidman's advanced approach to hypnotherapy resulted in her being free of pain and related symptoms for at least 5 years since this intervention. CONCLUSION: Resolution of IC symptoms was obtained in a client who had been refractory to conventional medical treatment.

J Reprod Med. 2009 Aug;54(8):523-4. Sidman J, Lechtman MD, Lyster EG. Jacqueline Sidman Health Foundation, 4199 Campus Drive, Suite 550, Irvine, CA 92612, USA. drjacqueline@sidmansolution.com

Full Title: European Union directives and their effect on the registration and authorisation of anthroposophic and homeopathic medicines

This paper discusses the question of whether anthroposophic medicinal products can be treated in the European Union as regards registration and marketing authorization, in the same way as homeopathic medicinal products. European Union legislation, European official pharmacopoeias, and bibliography in this regard have been revised. European Directives make a single reference in one of its whereas clauses to anthroposophic medicinal products "described in an official pharmacopoeia and prepared by a homeopathic method". It is referring to those which comply with these two conditions, but it happens that there is no anthroposophic medicinal product "described" in any European official pharmacopoeia. Legislators have known this and continue to be aware of it and have not agreed to extend (since 1992), the reference to anthroposophic products neither do they accept the inclusion of that peculiarity on the label of homeopathic medicinal products. Anthroposophy presents notable variations from homeopathy and it introduces philosophical and "spiritual" variables that are difficult to assess objectively. It is necessary for these products to show, using a scientific methodology, that they are truly bringing patients the therapeutic benefits they claim. In any case, their authorization and registration should not be at the expense of homeopathy, already a highly complex field in its own right.

Med Law. 2009 Mar;28(2):269-82. Laso LR, Alfonso-Galán MT. Spanish Agency of Medicines and Healthcare Products.

by Alfred A. Barrios, PhD

The following is an excerpt from Dr. Barrios' book, Understanding Hypnosis: Theory, Scope and Potential.

In the theory (Barrios, 2001) a hypnotic induction is defined as the giving of a series of suggestions so that a positive response to a previous suggestion predisposes the subject to respond more strongly to the next suggestion. Hypnosis is defined then as the state of heightened suggestibility, also referred to as a state of heightened belief, produced by a hypnotic induction. What occurs during a hypnotic induction to increase suggestibility is a process of conditioning of an inhibitory set. The latter increases responsiveness to suggestion by inhibiting thoughts and stimuli which would contradict the suggested response. The more effective the hypnotic induction, the greater this inhibitory set.

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The aim of this study was to describe the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) and explore associations with CAM use. In recent years CAM use has increased, but rates of CAM use in TS patients are not reported. Consecutive TS patients or their parent(s), seen in an academic movement disorder center, completed a questionnaire regarding their use of CAM. One hundred TS patients or parents completed the questionnaire, mean age 21.5 +/- 13.5, 76 males, 87 Caucasians. Sixty four patients had used at least one CAM modality. CAM treatments used were prayer (28), vitamins (21), massage (19), dietary supplements (15), chiropractic manipulations (12), meditation (10), diet alterations (nine), yoga (nine), acupuncture (eight), hypnosis (seven), homeopathy (six), and EEG biofeedback (six). Fifty six percent of patients using CAM reported some improvement. Users paid out of pocket for 47% of treatments pursued, and 19% of these payers received partial reimbursement by third party payer. Users and non-users did not differ in age, gender, race, income, educational level, general health, tic severity, medication use for TS, current satisfaction from medications or experience of side effects from medications. CAM use was associated with the presence of affective disorder (P = 0.004), but not with either ADHD or OCD. Among CAM users, 80% initiated CAM without informing their doctor. CAM is commonly used in children and adults with TS, and often without the neurologist's knowledge. Physicians should inquire about CAM to understand the spectrum of interventions that patients with TS use. (c) 2009 Movement Disorder Society.

Mov Disord. 2009 Aug 24. Kompoliti K, Fan W, Leurgans S. Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the effects of true and sham acupuncture in relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: A total of 230 adult IBS patients (75 % females, average age: 38.4 years) were randomly assigned to 3 weeks of true or sham acupuncture (6 treatments) after a 3-week "run-in" with sham acupuncture in an "augmented" or "limited" patient-practitioner interaction. A third arm of the study included a waitlist control group. The primary outcome was the IBS Global Improvement Scale (IBS-GIS) (range: 1 - 7); secondary outcomes included the IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), the IBS Adequate Relief (IBS-AR), and the IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QOL). RESULTS: Although there was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture on the IBS-GIS (41 vs. 32 % , P = 0.25), both groups improved significantly compared with the waitlist control group (37 vs. 4 % , P = 0.001). Similarly, small differences that were not statistically significant favored acupuncture over the other three outcomes: IBS-AR(59 vs. 57 % , P = 0.83), IBS-SSS (31 vs. 21 % , P = 0.18), and IBS-QOL (17 vs. 13 % , P = 0.56). Eliminating responders during the run-in period did not substantively change the results. Side effects were generally mild and only slightly greater in the acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not find evidence to support the superiority of acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture in the treatment of IBS.

Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jun;104(6):1489-97. Lembo AJ, Conboy L, Kelley JM, Schnyer RS, McManus CA, Quilty MT, Kerr CE, Drossman D, Jacobson EE, Davis RB. The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Rabb/Rose 1, Boston, MA 02215, USA. alembo@bidmc.harvard.edu

by Bob Lucas, BS, MA, MA, CPLP

One basic strategy for successfully providing effective customer service over the telephone is to thoroughly understand all phone features and use them effectively. This may seem to be a logical and simple concept, but think about times when you called a doctor's office and someone did a poor job in handling the call. For example, they attempted to transfer you, or put you on hold, or did not communicate clearly. If the transfer was successful, you were lucky. If not, you probably could not understand what happened, got disconnected, were connected to the wrong party, or heard the original person come back on the telephone to apologize and say something like, "The call didn't go through. Let me try again." Sound familiar? If so, use the following strategies to ensure that you do not deliver similar poor service.

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BACKGROUND: Cyclic meditation (CM) is a technique that combines yoga postures interspersed with supine rest. This combination is based on ancient texts and is considered easier for beginners to practice. MATERIAL/METHODS: Whole-night polysomnographic measures and the self-rating of sleep were studied on the night following a day in which 30 male participants practiced CM twice (ca. 23 minutes each time). This was compared with another night when they had had two sessions of supine rest (SR) of equal duration on the preceding day. The sessions were one day apart and the order of the sessions was randomized. Recordings were from the F4, C4, and O2 electrode sites referenced to linked earlobes and bipolar electroculography and electromyography sites. RESULTS: In the night following CM, the percentage of slow-wave sleep (SWS) was significantly higher than in the night following SR, whereas the percentage of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep and the number of awakenings per hour were less. Following CM the self-rating of sleep based on visual analog scales showed an increase in the feeling that the sleep was refreshing, an increase in feeling "good" in the morning, an overall increase in sleep duration, and decreases in the degree to which sleep was influenced by being in a laboratory as well as any associated discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Practicing cyclic meditation twice a day appeared to improve the objective and subjective quality of sleep on the following night.

Med Sci Monit. 2009 Jul;15(7):CR375-81. Patra S, Telles S. Indian Council of Medical Research Center for Advanced Research in Yoga and Neurophysiology, SVYASA, Bangalore, India.

Kathy Caprino, MA, is a nationally-recognized women's work-life expert and author of Breakdown, Breakthrough: The Professional Woman's Guide to Claiming a Life of Passion, Power, and Purpose. Founder and President of Ellia Communications, Inc., a women's executive and work-life coaching and consulting company, Caprino is a trained psychotherapist, seasoned career and life coach, and sought-after writer and speaker on women's issues. She is a popular blogger on business, workplace, and career topics and trends, and as a top media source, she has appeared in more than 100 leading newspapers and magazines and on national television.

For more information visit: www.breakdownbreakthrough.com.

Full Title: Randomized controlled trial of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for HIV-positive persons: an investigation of treatment effects on psychosocial adjustment

Questions remain regarding the clinical utility of psychological interventions for HIV-positive persons because randomized controlled trials have utilized stringent inclusion criteria and focused extensively on gay men. The present randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of a 15-session, individually delivered cognitive-behavioral intervention (n = 467) compared to a wait-list control (n = 469) in a diverse sample of HIV-positive persons who reported HIV transmission risk behavior. Five intervention sessions that dealt with executing effective coping responses were delivered between baseline and the 5 months post-randomization. Additional assessments were completed through 25 months post-randomization. Despite previously documented reductions in HIV transmission risk, no intervention-related changes in psychosocial adjustment were observed across the 25-month investigation period. In addition, there were no intervention effects on psychosocial adjustment among individuals who presented with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. More intensive mental health interventions may be necessary to improve psychosocial adjustment among HIV-positive individuals.

AIDS Behav. 2009 Jun;13(3):555-63. Epub 2008 Jul 15. Carrico AW, Chesney MA, Johnson MO, Morin SF, Neilands TB, Remien RH, Rotheram-Borus MJ, Lennie Wong F; NIMH Healthy Living Project Team. Collaborators (43) Chesney MA, Ehrhardt AA, Kelly JA, Pequegnat W, Rotheram-Borus MJ, Benotsch EG, Brondino MJ, Catz SL, Charlebois ED, DesJarlais DC, Duan N, Exner TM, Goldstein RB, Gore-Felton C, Hirky AE, Johnson MO, Kertzner RM, Kirshenbaum SB, Kittel LE, Klitzman R, Lee M, Levin B, Lightfoot M, Morin SF, Pinkerton SD, Remien RH, Rhodes F, Tross S, Weinhardt LS, Weiss R, Wolfe H, Wolfe R, Wong L, Batterham P, Rogers T, Hackl K, Hong D, Huchting K, Mickalian JD, Peterson M, Gordon CM, Rausch D, Stover E. Department of Psychiatry, Health Psychology Program, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St., Suite 465, Box 0848, San Francisco, CA 94143-0848, USA. adam.carrico@ucsf.edu

by Alexander R. Lees, DCH, RCC

I have observed many "masters" in the healing professions at work, and I began to discover certain patterns exist in their approach, and that learning the patterns can be similar to discovering there is a map for the territory. All journeys begin with a first step, and each step leads to another and so on, until the journey is completed. The only variables are when, and how.

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Full Title: Massage therapy for cancer palliation and supportive care: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials

INTRODUCTION: Massage is a popular adjunct to cancer palliation. This systematic review is aimed at critically evaluating all available randomised clinical trials of massage in cancer palliation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six databases were searched to identify all trials of classical massage for cancer patients. Studies of other types of massage, e.g. reflexology, aromatherapy, were excluded. Fourteen trials met all inclusion criteria. DISCUSSION: Collectively, they suggest that massage can alleviate a wide range of symptoms: pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, anger, stress and fatigue. However, the methodological quality of the included studies was poor, a fact that prevents definitive conclusions. CONCLUSION: The evidence is, therefore, encouraging but not compelling. The subject seems to warrant further investigations which avoid the limitations of previous studies.

Support Care Cancer. 2009 Apr;17(4):333-7. Ernst E. Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter EX2 4NT, UK. Edzard.Ernst@pms.ac.uk

The remember-know paradigm is one of the most widely used procedures to examine the subjective experience associated with memory retrieval. We examined how the terminology and instructions used to describe the experiences of remembering and knowing affected remember-know judgments. In Experiment 1 we found that using neutral terms, i.e., Type A memory and Type B memory, to describe the experiences of remembering and knowing reduced remember false alarms for younger and older adults as compared to using the terms Remember and Know, thereby increasing overall memory accuracy in the neutral terminology condition. In Experiment 2 we found that using what we call source-specific remember-know instructions, which were intended to constrain remember judgments to recollective experiences arising only from the study context, reduced remember hits and false alarms, and increased know hits and false alarms. Based on these data and other considerations, we conclude that researchers should use neutral terminology and source-specific instructions to collect the most accurate reports of the experiences of remembering and knowing arising from the study context.

Conscious Cogn. 2009 Jun;18(2):401-13. Epub 2009 Mar 31. McCabe DP, Geraci LD. Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Campus Box 1876, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1876, USA.

by Christy Witman

I learned something when I was a small child that literally changed my life. My mom used to tell me that my feelings were wrong, and I ended up feeling badly about myself because of that. What I learned from another adult was that feelings aren't right or wrong, they just are. What I have come to learn as a Law of Attraction Coach is that feelings are not right or wrong they are either empowering or disempowering. Yes, feelings "just are", but when you are allowing yourself to feel disempowered by your feelings, you will be creating negative experiences in your life. Feelings exist because of what we are thinking in our minds. If you find yourself feeling disempowered, check in with your thoughts and ask yourself, "Are the thoughts that I am thinking empowering or disempowering?" If you change your thoughts, you then change your feelings. It really is that simple. Thoughts lead to feelings. Feelings lead to actions. And actions lead to results. This is the Law of Attraction at its best.

For more information visit www.7essentiallaws.com"

by Debra Burdick, LCSW

Imagine a world where you could place electrodes on your head, send your brainwaves to a computer, and control a video game without using your hands, just by changing your brainwaves. Picture a world where you could teach your brain to perform better. Perhaps you could improve your IQ, concentrate better, or sleep better. Maybe you could organize better at work, close more sales, get better grades, or be more productive. Maybe you could spiff up your memory that you have noticed is slipping lately. Visualize getting rid of that chronic depression or those nasty panic attacks and eliminating those medications you hate to take.

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Sharon O'Connor is founder and owner of Atlantic Complementary Medical Solutions, LLC. Sharon provides complementary and alternative intervention solutions for the healthcare market utilizing hypnotherapy and guided imagery to help people deal with STRESS, depression, phobias, and much more. Sharon is an RN, Certified Hypnotherapist, and Guided Imagery Practitioner. She attended the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Technical College, Hypnotherapy Training Center of Boston, Banyon Hypnosis Center, and studied Ethics in Medical Practice at Harvard University. Her nursing career began in the Emergency Room.

For more information visit: www.acmswellness.com.

Full Title: Improvement of balance in progressive degenerative cerebellar ataxias after Ayurvedic therapy: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND: The treatment options for improving the balance in degenerative cerebellar ataxias are very few. Ayurvedic texts have described diverse treatment regimens for this disease. AIMS: To determine the change in balance indices, if any, by dynamic posturography (Biodex Balance System, USA) in progressive cerebellar ataxia following Ayurvedic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a preliminary open labelled study on ten patients diagnosed with progressive cerebellar ataxia. The patients were treated over a period of one month. Treatment consisted of Shirobasti (therapeutic retention of medicament over the scalp) in male patients and Shirodhara (pouring of a steady stream of medicament on the forehead) in female patients with Dhanvantaram tailam (medicated oil) for 45 minutes daily, followed by Abhyanga (methodical massage) with Dhanvantaram tailam and Bhashpa sweda (steam bath), for 14 days. In addition, the treatment also consisted Abhyantara aushadha (oral medicines) of Maharasnadi kashayam 15ml thrice daily, Dhanvantaram capsules 101 two capsules thrice daily, and Ashwagandha tablet 500 mg one tablet thrice daily, for one month. The patients were assessed on the Biodex balance system before and after the treatment. Results were analyzed using paired samples 't' test. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the treatment well without any adverse events and reported subjective improvement in walking. There was a statistically significant improvement in the overall and anteroposterior balance indices of dynamic stability. CONCLUSIONS: Over the short period of the present study, Ayurvedic therapy was found to be safe and, showed improvement in the balance in patients with progressive degenerative cerebellar ataxia. Further randomized placebo-control double-blind studies are needed to validate the results.

Neurol India. 2009 Mar-Apr;57(2):166-71. Sriranjini SJ, Pal PK, Devidas KV, Ganpathy S. Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.

FULL TITLE: The brain under self-control: modulation of inhibitory and monitoring cortical networks during hypnotic paralysis.

Brain mechanisms of hypnosis are poorly known. Cognitive accounts proposed that executive attentional systems may cause selective inhibition or disconnection of some mental operations. To assess motor and inhibitory brain circuits during hypnotic paralysis, we designed a go-no-go task while volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in three conditions: normal state, hypnotic left-hand paralysis, and feigned paralysis. Preparatory activation arose in right motor cortex despite left hypnotic paralysis, indicating preserved motor intentions, but with concomitant increases in precuneus regions that normally mediate imagery and self-awareness. Precuneus also showed enhanced functional connectivity with right motor cortex. Right frontal areas subserving inhibition were activated by no-go trials in normal state and by feigned paralysis, but irrespective of motor blockade or execution during hypnosis. These results suggest that hypnosis may enhance self-monitoring processes to allow internal representations generated by the suggestion to guide behavior but does not act through direct motor inhibition.

Neuron. 2009 Jun 25;62(6):862-75. Cojan Y, Waber L, Schwartz S, Rossier L, Forster A, Vuilleumier P. Department of Neuroscience, University Medical School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. yann.cojan@unige.ch

This article presents partial findings from a study on trends towards greater or lesser proximity between homeopathic and allopathic physicians, from the perspective of the latter. Forty-eight health professionals were interviewed (faculty, managers, and physicians working in the public health system). This specific article focused only on the interviews with health system managers. The following concepts were used as references: social and scientific field (Bourdieu); medical rationalities (Madel Luz); technological arrangements in health work (Mendes-Gonçalves); and physician's professional identity (Donnangelo & Schraiber). According to the findings, support by managers for the presence of Homeopathy in the Unified National Health System is related to their perception of social demand, defense of patients' right to choose, and the observation that it is a medical practice that reclaims the humanist dimension of medicine, thus contributing to user satisfaction. The difficulties and resistances identified by managers highlight that the lack of information on homeopathic procedures limits the possibilities for use of Homeopathy because it leads to insecurity towards this area of medicine.

Cad Saude Publica. 2009 Jan;25(1):195-202. Salles SA, Schraiber LB. Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. sandrachaim@terra.com.br

by Adele Ryan McDowell, PhD

That's right: There is no discussion; there is no equivocation. The door is closed; the conversation is over. I have holstered my pointing finger that wagged so definitively in your direction. I have recovered from my case of eye-rolling; there is no more exasperated and exaggerated sighing. I have stormed off in a fit of pique – and I was glorious in my dramatic exit, I might add.

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Full Title: Complementary medicine in the primary care setting: Results of a survey of gender and cultural patterns in Israel

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a primary care practice in Israel to determine prevalence and patterns of use. Methods: Trained research assistants invited all patients attending the administrative, medical, pharmaceutical, or nursing services of 7 clinics in urban and rural areas of northern Israel over a 16-month period, from April 1, 2005, through August 1, 2006, to complete a 13-item written questionnaire about CAM use and beliefs about CAM safety and efficacy. CAM was defined as therapies often referred to as alternative, complementary, natural, or folk/traditional medicine, and which are not usually offered as part of the medical treatment in the clinic, including herbal medicine, Chinese medicine (including acupuncture), homeopathy, folk and traditional remedies, dietary/nutritional therapy (including nutritional supplements), chiropractic, movement/manual healing therapies (including massage, reflexology, yoga, and Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques), mind-body techniques (including meditation, guided imagery, and relaxation), energy and healing therapies, and other naturopathic therapies. The Pearson chi(2) test and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess univariate associations with the odds ratios of CAM use among Arab and Jewish women. A t test was performed to determine whether there were any differences in the continuous variables between the 2 groups. Results: Of 3972 consecutive patients who received the questionnaire, 3447 responded; 2139 respondents (62%) were women. Of the female respondents, 2121 reported their religion (1238 respondents [58%] self-identified as being Arab, and 883 [41.6%] as being Jewish). Compared with men, more women used CAM during the previous year (46.4% vs 39.4%; P < 0.001). Women were more likely to use CAM and to be interested in receiving CAM at primary care clinics. Arab women reported less CAM use than Jewish women but were more interested in experiencing CAM, had a higher degree of confidence in CAM efficacy and safety, and more frequently supported the integration of CAM practitioners in primary care clinics. Conclusions: In this study, women visiting primary care clinics in northern Israel used CAM more often than men did. Arab women reported less use of CAM than did Jewish women but also reported greater confidence in CAM efficacy and safety.

Gend Med. 2009 Jul;6(2):384-97. Ben-Arye E, Karkabi S, Shapira C, Schiff E, Lavie O, Keshet Y. Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Haifa, Israel.

If adverse effects are understood as "something that happened unexpectedly" while receiving drug treatment, there is no difference between adverse effects and complications. However, acupuncture is a process different from the use of drugs. While acupuncture procedures should not be taken for granted as safe, complications causing harm are usually, according to the authors, the result of negligence, and should be differentiated from other adverse effects. Harmful complications noted consisted of bleeding and damage to the tissues and organs under the puncture sites. Adverse effects consisted of symptomatology like fainting and other systemic disturbances difficult to explain. In a study of acupuncture complications and adverse effects in 2000 procedures conducted by experienced professional acupuncturists in a research institution, it was found that complications did not occur, and adverse events happened infrequently. Attempts were made to explain the causes of adverse effects. Now that acupuncture is being widely incorporated into medical practice, a good understanding of adverse effects and complications would be necessary and helpful.

Chin J Integr Med. 2009 Jun;15(3):229-32. Epub 2009 Jul 2. Leung PC, Zhang L, Cheng KF. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. pingcleung@cuhk.edu.hk

Here we explore whether mental training in the form of meditation can help to overcome age-related attentional decline. We compared performance on the attentional blink task between three populations: A group of long-term meditation practitioners within an older population, a control group of age-matched participants and a control group of young participants. Members of both control groups had never practiced meditation. Our results show that long-term meditation practice leads to a reduction of the attentional blink. Meditation practitioners taken from an older population showed a reduction in blink as compared to a control group taken from a younger population, whereas, the control group age-matched to the meditators' group revealed a blink that was comparatively larger and broader. Our results support the hypothesis that meditation practice can: (i) alter the efficiency with which attentional resources are distributed and (ii) help to overcome age-related attentional deficits in the temporal domain.

Conscious Cogn. 2009 Jun 8. van Leeuwen S, Müller NG, Melloni L. Cognitive Neurology Unit, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University & Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Department of Neurophysiology, Deutschordenstrasse 46, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Hypnosis during pregnancy and childbirth has been shown to reduce labor analgesia use and other medical interventions. We aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in hypnotizability in pregnant and nonpregnant women. Study participants had hypnotizability measured by the Creative Imagination Scale (CIS) in the third trimester of pregnancy and subsequently between 14 and 28 months postpartum and when not pregnant. The 37 participants who completed the study gave birth in the largest maternity unit in South Australia between January 2006 and March 2007. CIS scores were increased in women when pregnant (Mean 23.5, SD 6.9) compared to when they were not pregnant (Mean 18.7, SD 6.6), p < 0.001. The mean effect size was 0.84 suggesting that the hypnotizability change was both statistically significant and clinically meaningful. Our study findings support previous evidence showing that women are more hypnotizable when pregnant than when not pregnant.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2009 Jul;52(1):13-22. Alexander B, Turnbull D, Cyna A. Department of Women's Anaesthesia Women's & Children's Hospital, 72 King William Road Adelaide, S.A. 5006, Australia.

by Joyce-Anne Locking

Very often we hear or read about how to nourish our bodies and the proper foods required if we are to do this. There are also inner needs that, if we ignore, leave us with an unfulfilled hunger. These inner needs might be called our talents.

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Jon Rhodes has worked with people suffering from severe mental health problems since 2001. He has been involved in the successful long term rehabilitation of many people, helping them to integrate back into society. He works with people suffering from such severe illnesses as schizophrenia, autism, personality disorders , and many secondary illnesses such as depression.

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Full Title: The cost effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa delivered via telemedicine versus face-to-face

OBJECTIVE: A number of effective treatments for bulimia nervosa have been developed, but they are infrequently used, in part due to problems with dissemination. The goal of this study was to examine the cost effectiveness of telemedicine delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial of face-to-face versus telemedicine cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa. One hundred twenty eight women with DSM-IV bulimia nervosa or eating disorder, not otherwise specified subsyndromal variants of bulimia nervosa were randomized to 20 sessions of treatment over 16 weeks. A cost effectiveness analysis from a societal perspective was conducted. RESULTS: The total cost per recovered (abstinent) subject was $9324.68 for face-to-face CBT, and $7300.40 for telemedicine CBT. The cost differential was accounted for largely by therapist travel costs. Sensitivity analyses examining therapy session costs, gasoline costs and telemedicine connection costs yielded fundamentally similar results. DISCUSSION: In this study, CBT delivered face-to-face and via telemedicine were similarly effective, and telemedicine delivery cost substantially less. These findings underscore the potential applicability of telemedicine approaches to eating disorder treatment and psychiatric treatment in general.

Behav Res Ther. 2009 Jun;47(6):451-3. Epub 2009 Feb 20. Crow SJ, Mitchell JE, Crosby RD, Swanson SA, Wonderlich S, Lancanster K. Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1495, USA. crowx002@umn.edu