Religious professionals completed an online survey of their use of health related practices currently known as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). They indicated how often they engaged in these practices and how often they had used these practices when helping other people. The majority of religious professionals used at least one of the practices when alone and when helping other people. The most frequently used practices were meditation and deep breathing exercises used both when alone and when helping others. Female respondents were more likely to use these practices on their own and when helping others than were males, and older respondents were more likely to use multiple CAM practices than their younger counterparts. Other Faith/Humanists used the most CAM practices when alone and Jewish respondents used the fewest. In general, religious professionals used fewer practices when helping others than they used for themselves. Limitations of this study and suggestions for future studies for examining CAM practices among religious professionals are discussed.

Jankowski KR, Silton NR, Galek K, Montonye MG. J Health Care Chaplain. 2010 Jul;16(3-4):172-82. College of Pastoral Care, Healthcare Chaplaincy, New York, New York 10022, USA. kjankowski@healthcarechaplaincy.org

Full Title: Ethnic differences in trichotillomania: phenomenology, interference, impairment, and treatment efficacy.

In this Internet study, we explore differences among minority and Caucasian participants in the phenomenology of, interference and impairment related to, and perceived efficacy of treatments for trichotillomania (TTM) symptoms. A demographic difference was found for number of children only. Results indicate that the minority sample was less likely to report pulling from their eyebrows and eyelashes than the Caucasian sample. Minorities were less likely to report increased tension before a pulling episode. Minorities reported high levels of TTM interference with home management but Caucasians reported higher TTM interference with their academic life. Caucasians with TTM reported higher daily stress than their minority counterparts. Although minorities were less likely to utilize treatment, no significant differences were found for treatment improvement. This Internet study sheds important light on differences in TTM symptoms among minorities and Caucasians. The lack of economic and education differences between groups is a strength of this research.

J Anxiety Disord. 2010 Aug;24(6):553-8. Neal-Barnett A, Flessner C, Franklin ME, Woods DW, Keuthen NJ, Stein DJ. Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA. aneal@kent.edu

Full Title Standardization of adverse event terminology and reporting in orthopaedic physical therapy: application to the cervical spine.

SYNOPSIS: Orthopaedic physical therapy is considered safe, based on a lack of reported harms. Most of the research until now has focused on benefits. Consideration of benefits and harm involves informed consent, clinical decision making, and cost-benefit analyses. Benefits and harms are treatment and dosage specific. There is currently an insufficient number of dosage trials in orthopaedic physical therapy to identify optimal dosage for common interventions, including exercise and manual therapy. Published cases of severe adverse events following chiropractic manipulation illustrate the need for physical therapy to have high-quality data documenting the safety of orthopaedic physical therapy, including cervical manipulation. A recent systematic review identified poor reporting standards of harms within clinical research in this area. Lack of standardization of terminology has contributed to this problem. Pharmacovigilence provides a framework for terms that orthopaedic physical therapy can adapt and thereafter adopt into clinical practice and research. Adverse events are unexpected events that occur following an intervention without evidence of causality. Where temporality of an event is highly suggestive of causality, the term "adverse reaction" may be more appropriate. Future studies in orthopaedic physical therapy should adopt the CONSORT statement extension on the reporting of harms, published in 2004, to ensure better reporting. Consistent reporting of harms in both research and clinical practice requires professional consensus on terminology pertaining to harms, as well as defining what constitutes an adverse event or an adverse reaction. Widespread consultation and consensus should support optimal definitions and processes and facilitate their implementation into practice. This paper is focused on theoretical considerations and evidence in terms of harm reporting within physical therapy using cervical manual therapy as an example.

Carlesso LC, Macdermid JC, Santaguida LP. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010 Aug;40(8):455-463

Full Title A study of the feasibility of introducing therapeutic touch into the operative environment with patients undergoing cerebral angiography.

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether Therapeutic Touch (TT) can be effectively used in the operative setting and whether it could produce positive outcomes in the period from cerebral angiography to discharge. The specific outcomes to be assessed were blood pressure, pulse, and respirations. TT is an intervention that involves the intentional direction of energy for the purpose of healing. The present study was developed within the conceptual framework of Rogers's model of unitary human beings. Data were collected at a center for endovascular surgery. The participants were 40 men and women aged between 18 and 80 years who were referred to the center for cerebral angiograms. The participants were English-speaking, ambulatory patients, with no history of prior cerebral angiograms and no psychiatric diagnosis. The design was a randomized, single-blind experiment. The research data were collected in the normal course of the angiogram procedure and recovery room. The blood pressure, pulse, and respirations were routinely noted before, during, and after the procedure. The study was significant in three aspects: (a) it was the first study to develop a protocol for delivering TT in the preoperative course of neurological patients, (b) the study is conceptualized within Rogers's conceptual model of unitary human beings, and (c) the study explored the impact of TT on selected outcomes in endovascular patients. A protocol for delivering TT in the operative setting was successfully developed and implemented. The efficacy of TT on the blood pressure, respirations, and pulse of the experimental group was not statistically significant. The reasons for this finding are explored, and suggestions are made for future research.

Madrid MM, Barrett EA, Winstead-Fry P. J Holist Nurs. 2010 Sep;28(3):168-74 Center for Endovascular Surgery, Roosevelt Hospital, New York City, New York, USA.

Full Title Yoga and disc degenerative disease in cervical and lumbar spine: an MR imaging-based case control study.

The objective of the current study was to find out whether yoga practice was beneficial to the spine by comparing degenerative disc disease in the spines of long-time yoga practitioners and non-yoga practicing controls, using an objective measurement tool, magnetic resonance imaging. This matched case-control study comprised 18 yoga instructors with teaching experience of more than 10 years and 18 non-yoga practicing asymptomatic individuals randomly selected from a health checkup database. A validated grading scale was used to grade the condition of cervical and lumbar discs seen in magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, and the resulting data analyzed statistically. The mean number of years of yoga practice for the yoga group was 12.9 +/- 7.5. The overall (cervical + lumbar) disc scores of the yoga group were significantly lower (indicating less degenerative disc disease) than those of the control group (P < 0.001). The scores for the cervical vertebral discs of the yoga group were also significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.001), while the lower scores for the yoga group in the lumbar group approached, but did not reach, statistical significance (P = 0.055). The scores for individual discs of yoga practitioners showed significantly less degenerative disease at three disc levels, C3/C4, L2/L3 and L3/L4 (P < 0.05). Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the group of long-term practitioners of yoga studied had significantly less degenerative disc disease than a matched control group.

Jeng CM, Cheng TC, Kung CH, Hsu HC. Eur Spine J. 2010 Aug 15. Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, No. 280, Jen-Ai Road Sec. 4, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, ROC, jengcm@cgh.org.tw.

Some of the more difficult to define aspects of the therapeutic process (empathy, compassion, presence) remain some of the most important. Teaching them presents a challenge for therapist trainees and educators alike. In this study, we examine our beginning practicum students' experience of learning mindfulness meditation as a way to help them develop therapeutic presence. Through thematic analysis of their journal entries a variety of themes emerged, including the effects of meditation practice, the ability to be present, balancing being and doing modes in therapy, and the development of acceptance and compassion for themselves and for their clients. Our findings suggest that mindfulness meditation may be a useful addition to clinical training.

McCollum EE, Gehart DR. J Marital Fam Ther. 2010 Jul 1;36(3):347-60. Virginia Tech University, Falls Church, Virginia 22043, USA. ericmccollum@vt.edu

Historically, depression has been considered almost exclusively from an intrapersonal viewpoint, focusing almost entirely on the depressed individual in treatment. In this article, the focus is shifted to an interpersonal view of depression, emphasizing the role of family and cultural influences on the evolution of depression and its successful treatment. Patterns of hypnosis that can be applied in a systemic treatment framework are described and illustrated with case examples.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010 Apr;58(2):222-46. Loriedo C, Torti C. University of Rome, La Sapienza, Italy. c.loriedo@agora.it

Music therapy, as a part of arts therapies, is used as a therapeutical tool for restoring, maintaining and improving the mental, physical and emotional health of human beings. The main mission of receptive music therapy is not found on the performance level, but on the level of attentive and intimate music listening that is not passive at all, contributing to musical pleasure and to wellbeing. At first we introduce the basic vocabulary used in receptive music therapy, flow experience and the main dimensions (bio-psycho-social) influenced by stimulating music listening. We also present the aims of this psycho-pedagogical project: The focus lies on determining the sensitivity of physically handicapped persons to different music stimuli (music styles). In this case, we can talk of the degree of music reception. We worked in an institution for persons suffering from a physical handicap. The applied methodology is based on the psycho-musical survey by Verdeau-Paillès (1). This psychological record consists in a basic interview and a test of music listening performances leading to the construction of a summary graph and the final receptivity psychogram. An observational frame conceived by Schiltz (2) and adapted to the actual situation offers the possibility of making exact observations as to non-verbal and verbal variables during the therapeutical sessions. Thus, we can present the results of descriptive and non-parametric statistical procedures, but also the results of case studies. The statistical tests used were Wilcoxon's sign-rank test for a pre-post comparison of variables related to non-verbal and verbal behaviour (two different sessions of music therapy with similar contents) and Spearman's Rho which permitted us to compute the correlations between non-verbal expression and verbal communication (N=14). Finally we conclude that our patients considered their musical experience as very positive. The results of the personal interview and the psycho-musical survey brought about several interesting statistical findings on how receptive music therapy physically and psychologically influenced the patients.

Scholer M. Bull Soc Sci Med Grand Duche Luxemb. 2010;Spec No 1(1):193-203. Universität Trier. scholermyriam@gmx.net

Full Title: Hypnosis and the relationship between trance, suggestion, expectancy and depth: some semantic and conceptual issues.

In the first of two recent papers, Pekala, Kumar, Maurer, Elliot-Carter, Moon and Mullen (2010a) review what they consider to be the relationships between trance or altered state effects, suggestibility, and expectancy, and how they relate to the concepts of hypnosis and hypnotism. They also suggest that these concepts can be assessed with an instrument they term the PCI-HAP (Phenomenology of Consciousness: Inventory-Hypnotic Assessment Procedure). In the second paper (Pekala, Kumar, Elliot-Carter, Moon, & Mullen, 2010b), they set out to determine empirically whether these concepts can predict hypnotic depth scores using the PCI-HAP. They conclude that their results support the view that all of these component processes may be involved in 'hypnotism' and experiences of hypnotic depth. However, according to their conceptualization, 'hypnosis' itself involves, or consists of, only altered state or trance effects. These papers raise a number of fundamental methodological, semantic and conceptual issues that are discussed in this commentary. Topics discussed include distinctions between concepts such as 'hypnosis', and 'hypnotism,' the role of inductions and suggestion in producing hypnotic phenomena, and the measurement and conceptualization of 'hypnotic depth.' It is concluded that many of the problems relating to the definition and conceptualization of terms associated with hypnosis may be clarified by placing the terms in their historical context, and that difficulties in identifying the origins of the experiences and behaviours associated with hypnosis may stem from insufficient attention to the role of suggestion and expectancies in producing hypnotic phenomena, and an over-reliance on the role of the procedures and mechanics of the induction process.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2010 Jul;53(1):47-59. Wagstaff GF. Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, UK, L69 7ZA.

Full Title Pre-operative inspiratory muscle training preserves postoperative inspiratory muscle strength following major abdominal surgery - a randomised pilot study.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this pilot study was to assess the effect of pre-operative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory variables in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.PATIENTS AND METHODS Respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory [MIP] and expiratory [MEP] mouth pressure) and pulmonary functions were measured at least 2 weeks before surgery in 80 patients awaiting major abdominal surgery. Patients were then allocated randomly to one of four groups (Group A, control; Group B, deep breathing exercises; Group C, incentive spirometry; Group D, specific IMT). Patients in groups B, C and D were asked to train twice daily, each session lasting 15 min, for at least 2 weeks up to the day before surgery. Outcome measurements were made immediately pre-operatively and postoperatively.RESULTS In groups A, B and C, MIP did not increase from baseline to pre-operative assessments. In group D, MIP increased from 51.5 cmH2O (median) pre-training to 68.5 cmH2O (median) post-training pre-operatively (P < 0.01). Postoperatively, groups A, B and C showed a fall in MIP from baseline (P < 0.01, P < 0.01) and P = 0.06, respectively). No such significant reduction in postoperative MIP was seen in group D (P = 0.36).CONCLUSIONS Pre-operative specific IMT improves MIP pre-operatively and preserves it postoperatively. Further studies are required to establish if this is associated with reduced pulmonary complications.

Kulkarni S, Fletcher E, McConnell A, Poskitt K, Whyman M. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2010 Jul 26

BACKGROUND: There has been a breakthrough in the understanding of anaesthetic drug effects during the last two decades, and new monitors aimed at quantifying such effects have been developed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This review is based on publications from the last 15 years, oral presentations, and rewritten parts of the author's PhD thesis.

RESULTS: General anaesthesia can be regarded as a combination of hypnosis (sleep), analgesia and muscle relaxation. Modern anaesthetic drugs aim at each of these effects separately. Pharmacological variation makes it impossible to find one dose suitable for all, so tools for measuring drug effects in the individual patient are warranted. Monitors for measuring depth-of-hypnosis and partly analgesic effect are commercially available. Among these, BIS (bispectral index), based on EEG, is by far the best documented. BIS is proven useful for preventing undesired awareness and overdosing, but there are major limitations. Use of such technology in clinical practice is under constant debate.

INTERPRETATION: Even though the BIS technology is promising and used widely, no health authorities have so far recommended that such monitors should be compulsory during general anaesthesia, but rather that it should be considered on an individual basis. So far, it seems like this is a sensible approach in Norway as well

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2010 Mar 25;130(6):633-7. Høymork SC. Anestesi- og intensivavdelingen, Vestre Viken, Sykehuset Asker og Baerum 1309 Rud, Norway. s.c.hoymork@medisin.uio.no

Social justice in public health involves the process and product of a community acting to fairly distribute advantages and burdens to improve the health of its population and to reasonably take care of the disadvantaged. Although publications are available about chiropractic public health history, programs, and policy, the potential role of chiropractic in social justice has received little attention. This article discusses Beauchamp's 4 principles of social justice and suggests actions that the chiropractic profession may consider to participate in the practice of social justice in the field of public health.

Green BN, Johnson C. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010 Jul-Aug;33(6):407-11.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this research is to design a novel model using protein folding to study Therapeutic Touch, a noncontact form of energy manipulation healing. Presented is a feasibility study suggesting that the denaturation path of ribonuclease A may be a useful model to study the energy exchange underlying therapeutic touch.

DESIGN: The folding of ribonuclease A serves as a controlled energy-requiring system in which energy manipulation can be measured by the degree of folding achieved. A kinetic assay and fluorescence spectroscopy are used to assess the enzyme-folding state.

RESULTS: The data suggest that the kinetic assay is a useful means of assessing the degree of refolding, and specifically, the enzyme function. However, fluorescence spectroscopy was not shown to be an effective measurement of enzyme structure for the purposes of this work.

CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed to assess the underlying mechanism of therapeutic touch to complement the existing studies. An enzyme-folding model may provide a useful means of studying the energy exchange in therapeutic touch.

Strickland ML, Boylan HM. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Jul;16(7):715-21. Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Full Title State anxiety, psychological stress and positive well-being responses to yoga and aerobic exercise in people with schizophrenia: a pilot study.

Purpose. Worsening of schizophrenia symptoms is related to stress and anxiety. People with schizophrenia often experience difficulties in coping with stress and possess a limited repertoire of coping strategies. A randomised comparative trial was undertaken in patients with schizophrenia to evaluate changes in state anxiety, psychological stress and subjective well-being after single sessions of yoga and aerobic exercise compared with a control condition. Method. Forty participants performed a single 30-min yoga session, 20-min of aerobic exercise on a bicycle ergometre at self-selected intensity and a 20-min no exercise control condition in random order. Results. After single sessions of yoga and aerobic exercise individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder showed significantly decreased state anxiety (p < 0.0001), decreased psychological stress (p < 0.0001) and increased subjective well-being (p < 0.0001) compared to a no exercise control condition. Effect sizes ranged from 0.82 for psychological stress after aerobic exercise to 1.01 for state anxiety after yoga. The magnitude of the changes did not differ significantly between yoga and aerobic exercise. Conclusion. People with schizophrenia and physiotherapists can choose either yoga or aerobic exercise in reducing acute stress and anxiety taking into account the personal preference of each individual.

Vancampfort D, De Hert M, Knapen J, Wampers M, Demunter H, Deckx S, Maurissen K, Probst M. Disabil Rehabil. 2010 Aug 18. Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Full Title Mindfulness meditation associated with alterations in bottom-up processing: Psychophysiological evidence for reduced reactivity.

Mental training by meditation has been related to changes in high-level cognitive functions that involve top-down processing. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the practice of meditation is also related to alterations in low-level, bottom-up processing. Therefore, intersensory facilitation (IF) effects in a group of mindfulness meditators (MM) were compared to IF effects in an age- and gender-matched control group. Smaller and even absent IF effects were found in the MM group, which suggests that changes in bottom-up processing are associated with MM. Furthermore, reduced interference of a visual warning stimulus with the IF effects was found, which suggests an improved allocation of attentional resources in mindfulness meditators, even across modalities.

van den Hurk PA, Janssen BH, Giommi F, Barendregt HP, Gielen SC. Int J Psychophysiol. 2010 Jul 13. Radboud University Nijmegen, Faculty of Science, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

To clarify whether hypnotically-induced alexia was able to reduce the Stroop effect due to color/word interference, 12 volunteers (6 with high and 6 with low hypnotizability according to Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale Form C) underwent a Stroop test consisting of measuring, both in basal conditions and during post-hypnotic alexia, the reaction times (RT) at appearance of a colored word indicating a color. In basal conditions, RT were greater in case of incongruence. In highly hypnotizable participants, the interference was less pronounced during post-hypnotic alexia (-34%, p = 0.03). During alexia, late positive complexamplitude was also greater for congruent than incongruent conditions (p < 0.03), and cardiovascular response to stress was less pronounced as well. In participants showing low hypnotizability, no reduction of Stroop effect was detected during post-hypnotic alexia. Posthypnotic alexia is therefore a real and measurable phenomenon, capable of reducing the color-word interference and the haemodynamic effects of the Stroop test.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2010 Jan;52(3):219-33. Casiglia E, Schiff S, Facco E, Gabbana A, Tikhonoff V, Schiavon L, Bascelli A, Avdia M, Tosello MT, Rossi AM, Haxhi Nasto H, Guidotti F, Giacomello M, Amodio P. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, I-35128 Padova, Italy. edoardo.casiglia@unipd.it

Undergoing a procedure that requires anesthesia can be anxiety provoking. Anxiety is associated with increases in heart rate and blood pressure and other changes that can have a negative impact preoperatively; during the induction, maintenance, and emergence phases of anesthesia; and postoperatively. Music therapy is a nonpharmacological intervention that has the ability to reduce anxiety levels in some patients. This review presents research studies that have been conducted on the effects of music therapy for patients in different clinical settings. In general, the majority of the published articles reviewed revealed that listening to music was beneficial to the patient no matter the setting. Offering a music selection to patients before anesthesia could enhance its positive effect. Perianesthesia nurses could easily develop a protocol for different situations where patients will be exposed to interventions where the use of general or local anesthesia is expected.

Wakim JH, Smith S, Guinn C. J Perianesth Nurs. 2010 Aug;25(4):226-32. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, School of Nursing, Department 1051, 615 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA. Judith-Wakim@utc.edu

In a 2008 pilot study we used DNA microarrays to explore the historical ideo-plastic faculty of therapeutic hypnosis. We documented how to measure changes in activity or experience-dependent gene expression over relatively brief time periods (1 hour and 24 hours) following a single intervention of therapeutic hypnosis (about 1 hour). In the present paper we utilize bioinformatic software to explore the possible meaning and significance of this ideo-plastic faculty of therapeutic hypnosis. Indications suggest that the ideo-plastic process of therapeutic hypnosis may be associated with (1) the heightening of a molecular-genomic signature for the up-regulation (heightened activity) of genes characteristic of stem cell growth, (2) a reduction in cellular oxidative stress, and (3) a reduction in chronic inflammation. We identify these three empirical associations as an initial beta version of the molecular-genomic signature of the ideo-plastic process of therapeutic hypnosis, which can serve as a theoretical and practical guide for clinical excellence by beginners as well as senior professionals. We propose this molecular-genomic level of discourse as a supplement to the traditional cognitive-behavioral description of therapeutic suggestion, hypnosis, and psychotherapy that is consistent with "translational research" currently funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Am J Clin Hypn. 2010 Jul;53(1):27-46. Atkinson D, Iannotti S, Cozzolino M, Castiglione S, Cicatelli A, Vyas B, Mortimer J, Hill R, Chovanec E, Chiamberlando A, Cuadros J, Virot C, Kerouac M, Kallfass T, Krippner S, Frederick C, Gregory B, Shaffran M, Bullock M, Soleimany E, Rossi AC, Rossi K, Rossi E. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA.

by Joyce-Anne Locking

Are your true values being expressed through your present lifestyle? Thoughts, like magnets, attract the life path chosen daily by decisions we make on how to spend our time. When we trust ourselves to follow our dreams and dare to do what really matters to us most, we begin a brickroad type of journey. Step by step we start to build a significant way to the future.

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Full Title Effects of using relaxation breathing training to reduce music performance anxiety in 3rd to 6th graders.

Heart rate autonomic responses during deep breathing and walking in hospitalised patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective. To evaluate the acute effect of physiotherapy (deep breathing exercises and walking) on heart rate variability in patients hospitalised with chronic heart failure (CHF). Design. Ten males with CHF (57 +/- 7 years) and 10 healthy controls (59 +/- 9 years) were included. Heart rate and RR intervals were recorded in the following conditions: supine, seated, during deep breathing exercises and during and after walking. Heart rate variability was analysed by linear and non-linear methods (alpha2, Mean HR, rMSSD, SDNN and ApEn). Results. Patients presented significantly lower SDNN (12.4 +/- 4 versus 26 +/- 8 ms), rMSSD (18.2 +/- 16.2 versus 25 +/- 19.5 ms) and ApEn (9.9 +/- 10 versus 16.68 +/- 22.6) during the walking compared to controls (p < 0.05). In addition, mean HR was significantly higher during and after walking for patients with CHF compared to controls (103 +/- 8 versus 80 +/- 2 bpm and 90 +/- 9 versus 68 +/- 2 bpm, respectively). Patients with CHF demonstrated a significant reduction of alpha2 during deep breathing (0.78 +/- 0.1) when compared to the seated position (1.08 +/- 0.1) and walking (1.15 +/- 0.2, p < 0.05). Additionally, rMSSD index increased during deep breathing when compared to walking in both groups. Conclusion. Deep breathing exercises and walking are safe and promote beneficial effects on heart rate variability in patients hospitalised for CHF.

Rossi Caruso FC, Arena R, Mendes RG, Reis MS, Papa V, Borghi-Silva A. Disabil Rehabil. 2010 Aug 23. Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo, Brazill

The prospect of utilizing memory plasticity (the constructive and transitory nature of memory) for therapeutic purposes has not been widely recognized. However, a number of theoretical and clinical venues throughout the last century have shown its potential application. Intensive research conducted during these last decades, pointed out the possibility of influencing human memory in relation to new memories and their specific components. Moreover, the research showed the feasibility of planting alternative early childhood memories and thus altering memories of personal history. Additionally, researchers found that memory is naturally very fallible due to everyday phenomena of forgetfulness, distortion and intrusion of past and present information. Throughout the course of this paper, the integrative overview of these empirical findings with the aforementioned clinical and theoretical foundations serves as a substratum in an attempt to present an integrative therapeutic approach, named Memory Focused Interventions (MFI).

Am J Clin Hypn. 2010 Jan;52(3):189-203. Meyerson J. Israeli Society of Hypnosis, HypnoClinic, Tel-Aviv, Israel. meyersoj@netvision.net.il

Maggie Phillips, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in full-time private practice in Oakland, California. She is director of the California Institute of Clinical Hypnosis and past-president of the Northern California Society of Clinical Hypnosis. She has served on the faculties of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), American and European Congresses of Ericksonian Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA), the Esalen Institute, the European Society of Hypnosis in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, the International Society of Hypnosis (ISH), The Professional School of Psychology, the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH), the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD), the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA), and the University of California at Santa Cruz, Extension.

Dr. Phillips has led workshops on hypnosis, psychotherapy, the effects of childhood trauma in the U.K., Germany, Scandinavia, France, Japan, China, and Malaysia, and uses of energy therapies in mindbody healing. She has authored numerous papers and articles in the areas of ego-state therapy, redecision therapy, and the treatment of post-traumatic conditions, and is the co-recipient of the 1994 ASCH Crasilneck award for excellence in writing and of the Cornelia B. Wilbur award from the ISSD. Dr. Phillips is co-author of HEALING THE DIVIDED SELF and author of FINDING THE ENERGY TO HEAL. She is also a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD), and a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

For more information, go to: http://users.lmi.net/mphillips/

Full Title Chiropractic and medical use of health promotion in the management of arthritis: analysis of the 2006 National Health Interview Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The importance of integrating healthy behavior counseling into routine health care is universal but may depend on the type of medical care provider as well as the conditions presented by patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether health promotion (HP) recommendations for known risk factors of arthritis differed between general medical doctors and doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in a nationally representative US population with arthritis.

METHODS: Multiple logistic regression models were used for analyses of data from the Sample Adult Core component of the 2006 National Health Interview Survey (n = 6374 diagnosed with arthritis). Analyses were performed separately for recommendation of weight loss and increase in exercise by health profession subtype (chiropractor and medical doctor).

RESULTS: Comparing the reported HP efforts between DCs and medical doctors (MDs), while adjusting for the effect of physical therapist and body mass index, we observed no significant differences (weight loss: adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.76 [0.50-1.18]; increased exercise: adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.87 [0.59-1.29]).

CONCLUSION: Health promotion efforts to patients with arthritis do not differ significantly between MDs and DCs, as reported by National Health Interview Survey 2006. This investigation makes it difficult to suggest that DCs or MDs are doing all they can do to manage arthritis through suggested modification of lifestyle in their patients. More research specific to what is and can be recommended to those with arthritis should be conducted particularly because it relates to health-promoting behaviors. Given the recent implementation of required clinical competencies in HP into chiropractic college curriculums, future studies regarding translation of HP messages into public practice should be more informative.

Ndetan H, Evans MW Jr, Felini M, Bae S, Rupert R, Singh KP. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010 Jul-Aug;33(6):419-24. Parker College of Chiropractic, Research Institute, Dallas, TX 75229, USA. hndetan@parkercc.edu

The understanding of migraine has moved well beyond its traditional characterization as a "vascular headache." In considering the basic neurobiology of migraine, it is important to begin with the concept of migraine as not merely a headache, but rather a heterogeneous array of episodic symptoms. Among the array of phenomena experienced by migraine patients are visual disturbances, nausea, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, and sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch. These symptoms may occur independently or in any combination, and in some patients occur even in the absence of headache. The diversity and variability of symptoms experienced by migraine patients belies a complex neurobiology, involving multiple cellular, neurochemical, and neurophysiological processes occurring at multiple neuroanatomical sites. Migraine is a multifaceted neurobiological phenomenon that involves activation of diverse neurochemical and cellular signaling pathways in multiple regions of the brain. Propagated waves of cellular activity in the cortex, possibly involving distinct glial and vascular signaling mechanisms, can occur along with activation of brainstem centers and nociceptive pathways. Whether different brain regions become involved in a linear sequence, or as parallel processes, is uncertain. The modulation of brain signaling by genetic factors, and by sex and sex hormones, provides important clues regarding the fundamental mechanisms by which migraine is initiated and sustained. Each of these mechanisms may represent distinct therapeutic targets for this complex and commonly disabling disorder.

Charles A, Brennan KC. Handb Clin Neurol. 2010;97:99-108.

We interviewed 300 patients (54.7% male; mean age was 65.8 +/- 9.5) attending the Movement Disorders Clinic at the Buenos Aires University Hospital to determine the prevalence of CATs use and their association with demographic, social, or disease-specific characteristics among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We found that 25.7% of the PD patients interviewed (77/300) stated they had used CATs to improve their PD symptoms whereas 38.0% (114/300) had used some CATs without any relation to PD, at least once in life. At the moment of the interview, CATs prevalence use was 50.6% in the former group and 25.0% in the latter. The use of CATs was much more frequent among women and more common in the 50- to 69-year age group. Friends and neighbors of the patients had most frequently recommended these therapies. No major association was observed between CATs use and the duration of the disease, side of initial involvement, PD phenotype, or the Hoehn and Yahr staging. Acupuncture, homeopathy, yoga, and therapeutic massage were the most widely used therapies. After the initiation of conventional treatment the use of massage, yoga, and acupuncture in patients using CATs to improve PD significantly increased. Neurologists should be aware and inquire about the use of CATs to rule out potentially harmful effects. (c) 2010 Movement Disorder Society.

Pecci C, Rivas MJ, Moretti CM, Raina G, Ramirez CZ, Díaz S, Uribe Roca C, Micheli FE. Mov Disord. 2010 Aug 18. Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín," Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Two hundred years of reductive materialism has failed to explain the extraordinary experiences we know as moments of genius, religious epiphany, and psychic insight. This paper proposes that these three experiences are in essence the same experience, differentiated only by intention and context. It reaches this conclusion based on well-conducted experimental research across the continuum of science--work that proposes a new interdependent model of consciousness that takes into consideration a nonlocal linkage or entanglement, as an aspect of consciousness not limited by space and time. The paper surveys some of the most important relevant research from quantum biology, physics, psychology, medicine, anthropology, and parapsychology. It proposes that more attention should be paid to the autobiographies, correspondence, and journals of men and women to whom history unequivocally accords the designation of genius, saint, or psychic, offering examples from these sources. And it presents comparisons between ethnohistorical material and spiritual traditions, suggesting they arrive at a similar worldview. Finally, it proposes that meditation research, some examples of which are cited, be seen in the context of psychophysical self-regulation, and that it offers one powerful avenue for producing these exceptional experiences.

Schwartz SA. Explore (NY). 2010 Jul-Aug;6(4):227-36. Samueli Institute, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA. saschwartz@earthlink.net

In highly hypnotizable individuals (highs), postural control is more independent of sensory information than in low hypnotizable subjects (lows). The aim of the study was to find out whether locomotion is also less affected in highs than in lows by visual suppression and changes in the neck proprioceptive input. Eighteen highs and 20 lows were asked to walk straight ahead, blindfolded, in basal conditions (face forward), during real and imagined right/left head rotation and mental computation. Highs detected deviations from the straight trajectory better than lows. Their walking direction was more straight during basal conditions and less influenced than the lows' one by mental computation and real/imagined rotation of the head. The results confirm highs' lower dependence on sensory inputs, although this cannot be definitely attributed to a better internal representation of space or to higher behavioral automaticity.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010 Jan;58(1):122-35. Menzocchi M, Paoletti G, Huber A, Carli G, Cavallaro FI, Manzoni D, Santarcangelo EL. University of Siena, Italy.

Full TitleAn overview of intervention options for promoting adaptive behavior of persons with acquired brain injury and minimally conscious state.

This paper presents an overview of the studies directed at helping post-coma persons with minimally conscious state improve their adaptive behavior. Twenty-one studies were identified for the 2000-2010 period (i.e., a period in which an intense debate has occurred about diagnostic, rehabilitative, prognostic, and ethical issues concerning people with severe acquired brain injury). Three of the 21 studies involved transcortical magnetic or deep brain stimulation. Six studies focused on the provision of multisensory stimulation or music therapy. The remaining 12 studies involved the use of response-related (contingent) stimulation and assistive technology. The outcomes of the studies, which were generally reported as positive, were discussed in terms of (a) the size (quantitative relevance) of the changes obtained, (b) the credibility/reliability of the changes, in light of the methodological conditions of the studies, and (c) the level of engagement and interaction involvement of the participants. Relevant issues for future research were also examined.

Lancioni GE, Bosco A, Belardinelli MO, Singh NN, O'Reilly MF, Sigafoos J. Res Dev Disabil. 2010 Jul 19. University of Bari, Italy.

The highly stressful conditions of a war zone may exacerbate or trigger a wide variety of symptoms including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) once a service member returns home. Service members and new veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars present to treatment with multiple psychosocial concerns and co-morbid psychiatric conditions. Evidence-based treatments including exposure based therapies are commonly recommended for use with returning veterans. Although studies support the efficacy of Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for treating OCD, eligibility for these studies limits participation to subjects who self-report a well-defined, circumscribed complaint. This approach is not typical of clinic clients who, more often than not, report multiple psychological issues. The following individual case study demonstrates how integrating hypnosis facilitated the cognitive-behavioral ERP therapy and treatment for a patient suffering from OCD.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2010 Jul;53(1):19-26. Proescher EJ. University of Illinois Chicago, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, 6644 N. Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL 60645, USA. eproescher@hotmail.com

Naturopathy is a distinct type of primary care medicine that blends age-old healing traditions with scientific advances and current research. Naturopathy is guided by a unique set of principles that recognize the body's innate healing capacity, emphasize disease prevention, and encourage individual responsibility to obtain optimal health. Naturopathic treatment modalities include diet and clinical nutrition, behavioral change, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, botanical medicine, physical medicine, pharmaceuticals, and minor surgery. Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are trained as primary care physicians in 4-year, accredited doctoral-level naturopathic medical schools. At present, there are 15 US states, 2 US territories, and several provinces in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand that recognize licensure for NDs.

Fleming SA, Gutknecht NC. Prim Care. 2010 Mar;37(1):119-36. Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1100 Delaplaine Court Madison, WI 53715-1896, USA. sara.fleming@fammed.wisc.edu

The hypnotic relationship is an important parameter for both experimental and therapeutic contexts. Hypnotic dreams may serve as a lens to examine the hypnotic relationship. By answering 5 questions per item, 70 judges rated 12 accounts of brief hypnotic dreams conducted as part of the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C. The data show that the judges were able to correctly discern highly from less hypnotizable individuals. Interestingly, highly hypnotizable females coached by a male hypnotic operator had more sexually charged dreams than either less hypnotizable females or males regardless of hypnotizability. These findings contextualize for further research and therapy transference issues related to the hypnotic relationship and the use of hypnotic dreams.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010 Jan;58(1):69-81. Raz A, Schweizer HR, Zhu H, Bowles EN. Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA. amir.raz@mcgill.ca

Michael Nash currently serves as a faculty member at the University of Tennessee where he teaches Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Research Design. He has researched and written a variety of publications to do with the effectiveness of hypnosis in medical applications. He also directs the ongoing case-based psychotherapy outcome research carried-out at the UT Psychological Clinic. This research tracks change in individual patients throughout the course of therapy, enabling the clinic to discern whether the therapy is working, when it is working, and sometimes why.

OBJECTIVE: As the chiropractic profession delineates its role in the emerging health care marketplace, it will become increasingly important that the scope of appropriate chiropractic care is clearly defined relative to overall patient case management. Therefore, the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters engaged in a multidisciplinary consensus process addressing the terminology related to "levels of care."

METHODS: A formal consensus process was conducted in early 2009, following the RAND/UCLA method for rating appropriateness. Panelists were selected to provide a broad representation of the profession in terms of geographic location and organizational affiliation, and an attempt was made to include members of other professions, including representation from third-party payors. The Delphi process was conducted electronically in January-February 2009. A nominal group panel was conducted through an online meeting service using an experienced group facilitator. Twenty-seven panelists were selected; all but 3 were doctors of chiropractic. Six of the panelists had experience as consultants with third-party payors.

RESULTS: Fifteen seed statements were circulated to the Delphi panel. Consensus was reached on all statements after 3 Delphi rounds, with further refinements made through the nominal group panel.

CONCLUSIONS: By using a recognized formal consensus process, the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters has endeavored to establish a set of terms that are acceptable to the chiropractic community in order to facilitate their use within the broader health care community.

Dehen MD, Whalen WM, Farabaugh RJ, Hawk C. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010 Jul-Aug;33(6):458-63. Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters, Lexington, SC, USA

Full Title Effects of Reiki on anxiety, depression, pain, and physiological factors in community-dwelling older adults.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Reiki as an alternative and complementary approach to treating community-dwelling older adults who experience pain, depression, and/or anxiety. Participants (N = 20) were randomly assigned to either an experimental or wait list control group. The pre- and posttest measures included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, Faces Pain Scale, and heart rate and blood pressure. The research design included an experimental component to examine changes in these measures and a descriptive component (semi-structured interview) to elicit information about the experience of having Reiki treatments. Significant differences were observed between the experimental and treatment groups on measures of pain, depression, and anxiety; no changes in heart rate and blood pressure were noted. Content analysis of treatment notes and interviews revealed five broad categories of responses: Relaxation; Improved Physical Symptoms, Mood, and Well-Being; Curiosity and a Desire to Learn More; Enhanced Self-Care; and Sensory and Cognitive Responses to Reiki.

Richeson NE, Spross JA, Lutz K, Peng C. Res Gerontol Nurs. 2010 Jul;3(3):187-99. doi: 10.3928/19404921-20100601-01. College of Nursing and Health Professions, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine 04104-9300, USA. richeson@usm.maine.edu

Full Title Effects of Yoga Versus Walking on Mood, Anxiety, and Brain GABA Levels: A Randomized Controlled MRS Study.

Abstract Objectives: Yoga and exercise have beneficial effects on mood and anxiety. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic activity is reduced in mood and anxiety disorders. The practice of yoga postures is associated with increased brain GABA levels. This study addresses the question of whether changes in mood, anxiety, and GABA levels are specific to yoga or related to physical activity. Methods: Healthy subjects with no significant medical/psychiatric disorders were randomized to yoga or a metabolically matched walking intervention for 60 minutes 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Mood and anxiety scales were taken at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and before each magnetic resonance spectroscopy scan. Scan 1 was at baseline. Scan 2, obtained after the 12-week intervention, was followed by a 60-minute yoga or walking intervention, which was immediately followed by Scan 3. Results: The yoga subjects (n = 19) reported greater improvement in mood and greater decreases in anxiety than the walking group (n = 15). There were positive correlations between improved mood and decreased anxiety and thalamic GABA levels. The yoga group had positive correlations between changes in mood scales and changes in GABA levels. Conclusions: The 12-week yoga intervention was associated with greater improvements in mood and anxiety than a metabolically matched walking exercise. This is the first study to demonstrate that increased thalamic GABA levels are associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety. It is also the first time that a behavioral intervention (i.e., yoga postures) has been associated with a positive correlation between acute increases in thalamic GABA levels and improvements in mood and anxiety scales. Given that pharmacologic agents that increase the activity of the GABA system are prescribed to improve mood and decrease anxiety, the reported correlations are in the expected direction. The possible role of GABA in mediating the beneficial effects of yoga on mood and anxiety warrants further study.

Streeter CC, Whitfield TH, Owen L, Rein T, Karri SK, Yakhkind A, Perlmutter R, Prescot A, Renshaw PF, Ciraulo DA, Jensen JE. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Aug 19. 1 Division of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine , Boston, MA.

Full Title Differential effects of mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and loving-kindness meditation on decentering and negative reactions to repetitive thoughts.

Decentering has been proposed as a potential mechanism of mindfulness-based interventions but has received limited empirical examination to date in experimental studies comparing mindfulness meditation to active comparison conditions. In the present study, we compared the immediate effects of mindful breathing (MB) to two alternative stress-management techniques: progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and loving-kindness meditation (LKM) to test whether decentering is unique to mindfulness meditation or common across approaches. Novice meditators (190 female undergraduates) were randomly assigned to complete one of three 15-min stress-management exercises (MB, PMR, or LKM) presented by audio recording. Immediately after the exercise, participants completed measures of decentering, frequency of repetitive thoughts during the exercise, and degree of negative reaction to thoughts. As predicted, participants in the MB condition reported greater decentering relative to the other two conditions. The association between frequency of repetitive thought and negative reactions to thoughts was relatively weaker in the MB condition than in the PMR and LKM conditions, in which these two variables were strongly and positively correlated. Consistent with the construct of decentering, the relative independence between these two variables in the MB condition suggests that mindful breathing may help to reduce reactivity to repetitive thoughts. Taken together, results help to provide further evidence of decentering as a potential mechanism that distinguishes mindfulness practice from other credible stress-management approaches.

Feldman G, Greeson J, Senville J. 17.Behav Res Ther. 2010 Oct;48(10):1002-11. Simmons College, Department of Psychology, Park Science Center, 300 the Fenway, Boston, MA 02114, USA. greg.feldman@simmons.edu

This study assessed whether high hypnotizability is associated with posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms in a sample of 124 metastatic breast cancer patients. Hypnotic Induction Profile Scores were dichotomized into low and high categories; posttraumatic intrusion and avoidance symptoms were measured with the Impact of Events Scale (IES); hyperarousal symptoms with items from the Profile of Mood States; and depressive symptoms with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. High hypnotizability was significantly related to greater IES total, IES intrusion symptoms, and depressive symptoms. A logistic regression model showed that IES total predicts high hypnotizability after adjusting for depressive symptoms and hyperarousal. The authors relate these results to findings in other clinical populations and discuss implications for the psychosocial treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010 Jan;58(1):39-52. Keuroghlian AS, Butler LD, Neri E, Spiegel D. Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305-5718, USA. alexk22@stanford.edu

Patient stress and anxiety are common preoperatively and during dermatologic procedures and surgeries. Stress and anxiety can occasionally interfere with performance of procedures or surgery and can induce hemodynamic instability, such as elevated blood pressure or syncope, as well as producing considerable discomfort for some patients. Detection of excess stress and anxiety in patients can allow the opportunity for corrective or palliative measures. Slower breathing, biofeedback, progressive muscular relaxation, guided imagery, hypnosis, meditation and music can help calm and rebalance the patient's autonomic nervous system and immune functioning. Handheld miniaturized heart rate variability biofeedback devices are now available. The relaxation response can easily be taught. Guided imagery can be recorded or live. Live rapid induction hypnosis followed by deepening and then self-guided imagery requires no experience on the part of the patient but does require training and experience on the part of a provider. Recorded hypnosis inductions may also be used. Meditation generally requires more prior experience and training, but is useful when the patient already is skilled in it. Live, guided meditation or meditation recordings may be used. Relaxing recorded music from speakers or headphones or live performance music may also be employed to ease discomfort and improve the patient's attitude for dermatologic procedures and surgeries.

Shenefelt PD. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010 Jul;9(7):795-9. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. pshenefe@health.usf.edu