Full Title: A new hypnotic technique for treating combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder: a prospective open study.

Many combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have an olfactory component to their traumatic memories that might be utilized by a technique called hypnotherapeutic olfactory conditioning (HOC). Thirty-six outpatients with chronic PTSD, featuring resistant olfactory-induced flashbacks, were treated with six 1.5-hour sessions using hypnosis. The authors used the revised Impact of Events Scale (IES-R), Beck Depression Inventory, and Dissociative Experiences Scale as outcome measures. Significant reductions in symptomatology were recorded by the end of the 6-week treatment period for the IES-R, as well as for the Beck Depression Inventory and the Dissociative Experiences Scale; 21 (58%) of the subjects responded to treatment by a reduction of 50% or more on the IES-R. Improvement was maintained at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. Use of medication was curtailed. HOC shows potential for providing benefit to individuals suffering from PTSD with olfactory components.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010 Jul;58(3):316-28. Abramowitz EG, Lichtenberg P. Mental Health Division, Israel Defense Forces, Israel. eitanmd@zahav.net.il

The author sent surveys to 178 consecutive youths previously referred for hypnosis for headaches. The survey sought current status of headaches: treatment, application of self-hypnosis, headache intensity, frequency, duration after self-hypnosis, generalization of self-hypnosis to other problems, and attitudes regarding self-hypnosis and life stresses. Of 134 delivered surveys, 52 were returned complete. Years after treatment, 85% (44/52) reported continued relief with self-hypnosis, 44% (23/52) reported decreased headache frequency, 31% (16/52) noted decreased severity, and 56% (29/52) reported that self-hypnosis reduced headache intensity. Many (26/52) emphasized the value of self-hypnosis to life stresses. In children and adolescents, self-hypnosis is associated with significant improvement of headaches and with an enduring positive effect for many years following training. Results suggest common and spontaneous generalizability of self-hypnosis by young people to modulation of other problems in their lives.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010 Oct;58(4):417-32. Kohen DP. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.

Re-evaluation of premarketing medicine is a important supplementary of clinical and elementary research. It is a basement that establish the medicine administration supervisition , found and integrity postmarketing washing out mechanism and define reasonable using drug. After drug marketing, we must not only concern on the re-evaluation of herbs security but also focus on evaluating herbs suitable symptom, as well as its dosage and course of treatment, ect. The re-evaluation of symptoms were seen as the core and feature of traditional Chinese medicine's clinical evaluation. It is also seen as hot spot and difficulty of the research . This article try to focus on simply illustrating the necessity and research thinking of re-evaluation symptoms of postmarketing herbs. So we can define the re-evaluation of postmarketing drug's objection, method, and basement. It will provide beneficial experience and reference to re-evaluation symptom of marketed herbs.

He W, Xie Y, Wang Y. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2010 Jun;35(11):1498-500. Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China. hewei7826@yahoo.com.cn

This article examines a 3-decades-old unsolved homicide, where the victim's 4-year-and-9-month-old daughter was deemed the only eyewitness (State of Nebraska v. Donald J. Sykora, 2008). The authors critique the investigative methods employed over 33 years, with particular emphasis on the final "extreme" cognitive interview of the daughter, which persisted for days and incorporated various imaginative techniques. Adverse circumstances pervade the case: (a) the young age of the presumed witness when the murder occurred; (b) the vulnerability of memory to suggestion and revision over time; (c) the possible earlier use of hypnosis to refresh recall; and (d) implementing a poorly documented, 31-hour cognitive interview that encouraged repetition and fantasy. In this case, the prolonged cognitive interview is perilously hypnotic-like, yielding evidence that must be regarded as a product of imagination inflation--defective for sustaining veridical testimony.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010 Jul;58(3):269-87. Whitehouse WG, Orne EC, Dinges DF. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. wayne.whitehouse@temple.edu

Full Title Preliminary study into the components of the fear-avoidance model of LBP: change after an initial chiropractic visit and influence on outcome.

BACKGROUND: In the last decade the sub grouping of low back pain (LBP) patients according to their likely response to treatment has been identified as a research priority. As with other patient groups, researchers have found few if any factors from the case history or physical examination that are helpful in predicting the outcome of chiropractic care. However, in the wider LBP population psychosocial factors have been identified that are significantly prognostic. This study investigated changes in the components of the LBP fear-avoidance beliefs model in patients pre- and post- their initial visit with a chiropractor to determine if there was a relationship with outcomes at 1 month.

METHODS: Seventy one new patients with lower back pain as their primary complaint presenting for chiropractic care to one of five clinics (nine chiropractors) completed questionnaires before their initial visit (pre-visit) and again just before their second appointment (post-visit). One month after the initial consultation, patient global impression of change (PGIC) scores were collected. Pre visit and post visit psychological domain scores were analysed for any association with outcomes at 1 month.

RESULTS: Group mean scores for Fear Avoidance Beliefs (FAB), catastrophisation and self-efficacy were all improved significantly within a few days of a patient's initial chiropractic consultation. Pre-visit catastrophisation as well as post-visit scores for catastrophisation, back beliefs (inevitability) and self-efficacy were weakly correlated with patient's global impression of change (PGIC) at 1 month. However when the four assessed psychological variables were dichotomised about pre-visit group medians those individuals with 2 or more high variables post-visit had a substantially increased risk (OR 36.4 (95% CI 6.2-213.0) of poor recovery at 1 month. Seven percent of patients with 1 or fewer adverse psychological variables described poor benefit compared to 73% of those with 2 or more.

CONCLUSIONS: The results presented suggest that catastrophisation, FAB and low self-efficacy could be potential barriers to early improvement during chiropractic care. In most patients presenting with higher psychological scores these were reduced within a few days of an initial chiropractic visit. Those patients who exhibited higher adverse psychology post-initial visit appear to have an increased risk of poor outcome at 1 month.

Field JR, Newell D, McCarthy PW. Chiropr Osteopat. 2010 Jul 30;18:21. Private practice, Back2Health, 2 Charles Street, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 3EH, UK. jonathanfield@me.com.

INTRODUCTION: Despite questionable efficacy and safety, many women use a variety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies to relieve menopause symptoms.

METHODS: We examined the determinants and use of CAM therapies among a sample of menopausal-aged women in Canada by using a cross-sectional Web-based survey.

RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-three women who were contacted through list serves, e-mail lists, and Internet advertisements provided complete data on demographics, use of CAM, therapies, and menopausal status and symptoms. Ninety-one percent of women reported trying CAM therapies for their symptoms. Women reported using an average of five kinds of CAM therapies. The most common treatments were vitamins (61.5%), relaxation techniques (57.0%), yoga/meditation (37.6%), soy products (37.4%), and prayer (35.7%). The most beneficial CAM therapies reported were prayer/spiritual healing, relaxation techniques, counseling/therapy, and therapeutic touch/Reiki. Demographic factors and menopausal symptoms contributed to 14% of the variance (P < .001) in the number of CAM therapies tried.

DISCUSSION: Results support previous research showing that menopausal women have high user rates of CAM therapy and show that specific demographic factors and somatic symptomatology relate to use of CAM therapies. Health care providers can benefit from understanding the determinants and use of CAM by women during the menopause transition if they are to help and provide quality care for this population.

Lunny CA, Fraser SN. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2010 Jul;55(4):335-43.

Chronic pain can be a frustrating condition for patient and clinician. The integrative medicine approach to pain can offer hope, adding safe complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies to mitigate pain and suffering. Such CAM therapies include nutrition, supplements and herbs, manual medicine, acupuncture, yoga, and mind-body approaches. The evidence is heterogeneous regarding these approaches, but some evidence suggests efficacy and confirms safety. The integrative medicine approach can be beneficial in a patient with chronic pain.

Teets RY, Dahmer S, Scott E. Prim Care. 2010 Jun;37(2):407-21. Institute for Family Health, Beth Israel Residency in Urban Family Medicine, Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, 16 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA. rteets@institute2000.org

An alternate framework for thinking about anorexia treatment is presented with a treatment approach that results in prompt remission of anorexia symptoms. Prior treatment of eating disorders using hypnosis is reviewed. A case example illustrating the method is followed by a discussion. The process is described for teaching clients how to nullify the anorexia symptom complex when it is reactivated.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2010 Apr;52(4):319-33. Walsh BJ. affinity@bigplanet.com

Yawning continues to pose as a scientist's conundrum. Evidence is presented of yawning and contagious yawning in a number of different neurological disorders. Explanations are discussed in the context of disparate neurological disorders together with proposals for how theses findings may be linked. Thus, greater understanding of yawning and of neurological disorders may be achieved by exploring common neuro-chemical pathways and the involvement of neurotransmitters that are implicated in these different disorders. Finally, contagious yawning is discussed in the context of the susceptibility of persons and the similarity this presents with our understanding of the mechanisms involved in hypnosis.

Med Hypotheses. 2010 Aug 24. Thompson SB. Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB, United Kingdom.

Full Title Establishment of a Novel Model for Studying the Effects of Extracts of Chinese Herb Medicine on Human Type II 5alpha-Reductase in Vitro.

Human steroid 5alpha-reductase type II (hSRD5A2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) play important roles in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The aim of our study was to establish a novel model to investigate the inhibitory effects of extracts and compounds of Chinese herb medicine on hSRD5A2. The gene, hSRD5A2, was artificially synthesized and cloned into pcDNA3.1(+) vector, which was transfected into CHO cells by liposome. Transfected cells were screened through G418 and MTX. The expressed protein of hSRD5A2 by cells was purified and detected by western blotting. A minim reactive system comprising hSRD5A2 and testosterone (T) as substrate together with NADPH as hydrogen donor was established for screening inhibitors of hSRD5A2. The reaction system was optimized in the concentrations of T, NADPH, and hSRD5A2 and reaction temperature, time, and activity of hSRD5A2 were determined by the production of DHT. Furthermore, we screened some extracts and compounds of Chinese herb medicine using this model. The concentrations of T, NADPH, and hSRD5A2 were 0.02 microM, 0.8 mM, and 0.05 U/microl, respectively, in the model; maximum activity of hSRD5A2 was achieved at 37 degrees C and 60 min reaction, and mangiferin had significant inhibitory effect on the activity of hSRD5A2. The model in this study is convenient and reliable for screening and evaluation of inhibitors of hSRD5A2; mangiferin may be a potential medicine for the treatment of BPH.

Wang X, Liao J, Yin D, Zhan F, Dai S, Xie G, Sang X. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2010 Sep;130(9):1207-14. Department of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Full Title: Suggestibility, expectancy, trance state effects, and hypnotic depth: II. Assessment via the PCI-HAP.

This study sought to determine if self-reported hypnotic depth (srHD) could be predicted from the variables of the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory - Hypnotic Assessment Procedure (PCI-HAP) (Pekala, 1995a, 1995b; Pekala & Kumar, 2007; Pekala et al., 2010), assessing several of the processes theorized by researchers to be associated with hypnotism: trance (altered state effects), suggestibility, and expectancy. One hundred and eighty participants completed the PCI-HAP. Using regression analyses, srHD scores were predicted from the PCI-HAP pre-hypnotic and post-hypnotic assessment items, and several other variables. The results suggested that the srHD scores were found to be a function of imagoic suggestibility, expectancy (both estimated hypnotic depth and expected therapeutic efficacy), and trance state and eye catalepsy effects; effects that appear to be additive and not (statistically) interactive. The results support the theorizing of many investigators concerning the involvement of the aforementioned component processes with this particular aspect of hypnotism, the self-reported hypnotic depth score.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2010 Apr;52(4):291-318. Pekala RJ, Kumar VK, Maurer R, Elliott-Carter N, Moon E, Mullen K. Coatesville VA Medical Center, Coatesville, PA 19320, USA. Ronald.Pekala@va.gov

Michele Ritterman, Ph.D., pioneered the integration of hypnosis and family therapy, and has trained thousands of psychotherapists in her approach to working with couples and families. A student of Milton Erickson, she originated the concept of the symptom as a trance state -- shared and separate-track trances -- in family and couple interactions, and also the development of therapeutic counterinductions. Dr. Ritterman is a prolific author whose work has been translated into several languages. Also a dedicated activist, she has served as a spokeperson for Amnesty International and other human rights organizations, and her book, Hope Under Siege, with a foreword by Isabel Allende, considers the applications of psychotherapeutic principles in the larger context of political and social reality. In Dr. Ritterman's words, “Reciprocity is the highest form of love. And love has everything to do with healing.”

For more information, please visit her website: http://www.micheleritterman.com/

INTRODUCTION: The high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in helicopter pilots has been well documented, although the reason behind it remains unclear. To date, little research exists comparing the Royal Air Force (RAF) to civilian pilots.

METHODS: A questionnaire inquiring into participant demographics, flying experience, and back pain was distributed to RAF pilots based at units around the United Kingdom and civilian pilots working for groups such as Air Ambulance and Her Majesty's Coastguards.

RESULTS: RAF pilots were significantly younger than civilian pilots (mean age 38.9 +/- 8.8 yr and 47.1 +/- 9.2 yr, respectively) and had been flying for a mode length of 6-10 yr compared with +26 yr in civilian pilots. Of civilian pilots, 40% had previously served as a pilot in the military. Neither RAF (83%) nor civilian (81%) pilots were significantly more likely to suffer from LBP and the nature of the pain experienced was similar. There were 33% of RAF and 55% of civilian pilots who used a back support.

DISCUSSION: The high prevalence of back pain reported by civilian and RAF pilots may be due to several factors. To investigate this further would require responses from a greater number of civilian pilots, particularly those who do not have previous military experience. In the meantime, further use of lumbar support may go some of the way to alleviating the problem.

Cunningham LK, Docherty S, Tyler AW. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2010 Aug;81(8):774-8. Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK. laura_catseyes@hotmail.com

This article includes a review of the literature on research related to energy healing and pain from 1980 through 2008. The types of energy healing considered include Reiki, therapeutic touch, and healing touch. There has been limited research testing these holistic interventions and their effect on pain even though there is attention to the modalities in the nursing practice literature. Recommendations for future research include studies with larger and diverse samples and comparisons among the various modalities.

Fazzino DL, Griffin MT, McNulty RS, Fitzpatrick JJ. Holist Nurs Pract. 2010 Mar-Apr;24(2):79-88. Prepare Me 4 Surgery, Encinitas, California, USA.

Full Title Effect of pranayama & yoga-asana on cognitive brain functions in type 2 diabetes-P3 event related evoked potential (ERP).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Electrophysiological evidence of delayed cognition as measured by P300, an evoked potential is observed in Diabetes mellitus. P300 (or P3) is a component of endogenous cerebral evoked response that assesses higher functions of the brain. Our study aims to see the role of pranayama and yoga-asana on P300 latency and amplitude in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS: Sixty patients of type 2 diabetes were recruited from diabetic clinic and divided into two groups - control group on only conventional medical therapy and yoga-group on conventional medical therapy along with pranayama and yoga-asana. Basal recordings of P300 and blood glucose were taken at the time of recruitment and second recordings repeated after forty five days for both the groups. P300 was recorded on Nihon Kohden Neuropack mu MEB 9100 using auditory "odd-ball paradigm". The data were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's test at 5 per cent level of significance.

RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement in the latency and the amplitude of N200, P300 was observed in the yoga group as compared to the control group.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that yoga has a beneficial effect on P300 and thus can be incorporated along with the conventional medical therapy for improving cognitive brain functions in diabetes.

Kyizom T, Singh S, Singh KP, Tandon OP, Kumar R. Indian J Med Res. 2010 May;131:636-40. Department of Physiology, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India. tenkyiz5@yahoo.com

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common of the entrapment neuropathies. Surgical decompression is commonly performed and has traditionally been considered the defnitive treatment for CTS. Conservative treatment options include physical therapy, bracing, steroid injections and alternative medicine. While CTS is often progressive, patients may get better without formal treatment. The resolution of symptoms is not necessarily related to the severity of the clinical findings and self-limited activity is common. The current literature suggests that bracing and corticosteroid injections may be useful in the nonsurgical treatment of CTS, although the benefits may be short term. There is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of other treatments, such as therapy, exercise, yoga, acupuncture, lasers and magnets, and further studies are needed. Surgery is recommended for progressive functional deficits and significant pain.

Carlson H, Colbert A, Frydl J, Arnall E, Elliot M, Carlson N. Int J Clin Rheumtol. 2010 Feb;5(1):129-142.

Full Title: Suggestibility, expectancy, trance state effects, and hypnotic depth: I. Implications for understanding hypnotism.

This paper reviews the relationships between trance or altered state effects, suggestibility, and expectancy as these concepts are defined in the theorizing of Weitzenhoffer (2002), Holroyd (2003), Kirsch (1991), and others, for the purpose of demonstrating how these concepts can be assessed with the PCI-HAP (Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory: Hypnotic Assessment Procedure; Pekala, 1995a, b). In addition, how the aforementioned variables may relate to the nature of hypnosis/hypnotism as a function of self-reported hypnotic depth are discussed, along with how the PCI-HAP may be used as a means to measure hypnotic responsivity from a more phenomenological state perspective, in contrast to more traditional behavioral trait assessment instruments like the Harvard, the Stanford C, or the HIP. A follow-up paper (Pekala, Kumar, Maurer, Elliott-Carter, Moon, & Mullen, 2010) will present research data on the PCI-HAP model and how this model can be useful for better understanding hypnotism.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2010 Apr;52(4):275-90. Pekala RJ, Kumar VK, Maurer R, Elliott-Carter N, Moon E, Mullen K. Coatesville VA Medical Center, Coatesville, PA 19320, USA. Ronald.Pekala@va.gov

Although hypnosis was accepted in 1958 by the American Medical Association as an adjunct treatment, it remains an underused modality for alleviation of clients' suffering. This hesitancy to apply established practices that show efficacy in patient care may be due to a general lack of cognizance about the therapeutic benefits of hypnosis or a reluctance to learn skills based on preconceptions about hypnosis itself. The purpose of this article is to provide evidence of the efficacy of hypnosis as an adjunct treatment in the healing professions and explain hypnosis in a manner consistent with the core values of nursing as defined by the American Nurses Association. Implications for mental health nursing practice will be explored.

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2010 Aug 23:1-4. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20100730-05. Mottern R.

PURPOSE: There is evidence suggesting that physical activity has anti-inflammatory effects in many chronic diseases; however, the role of exercise in airway inflammation in asthma is poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the effects of an aerobic training program on eosinophil inflammation (primary aim) and nitric oxide (secondary aim) in patients with moderate or severe persistent asthma.

METHODS: Sixty-eight patients randomly assigned to either control (CG) or aerobic training (TG) groups were studied during the period between medical consultations. Patients in the CG (educational program + breathing exercises; N=34) and TG (educational program + breathing exercises + aerobic training; N=34) were examined twice a week during a three-month period. Before and after the intervention, patients underwent induced sputum, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Asthma symptom-free days were quantified monthly and asthma exacerbation was monitored during three-months of intervention.

RESULTS: At three months, decreases in the total and eosinophil cell counts in induced sputum (p=0.004) and in the levels of FeNO (p=0.009) were observed after intervention only in the TG. The number of asthma symptom-free days and VO2max also significantly improved (p<0.001), and lower asthma exacerbation occurred in the TG (p<0.01). In addition, the TG presented a strong positive relationship between baseline FeNO and eosinophil counts as well as their improvement after training (r=0.77 and r=0.9, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Aerobic training reduces sputum eosinophil and FeNO in patients with moderate or severe asthma, and these benefits were more significant in subjects with higher levels of inflammation. These results suggest that aerobic training might be useful as an adjuvant therapy in asthmatic patients under optimized medical treatment.

Mendes FA, Almeida FM, Cukier A, Stelmach R, Jacob-Filho W, Martins MA, Carvalho CR. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Jun 23. Departments of 1Physical Therapy, 2Medicine, 3Pulmonary and 4Geriatrics, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Full Title: Assessing the immediate and maintained effects of hypnosis on self-efficacy and soccer wall-volley performance.

This study evaluated the effects of hypnosis on self-efficacy and soccer performance. Fifty-nine collegiate soccer players were randomly allocated to either a hypnosis (n = 30) or video attention-control group (n = 29). A pretest-posttest design with an additional 4-week follow-up was used. Self-efficacy was measured via a task-specific questionnaire comprising 10 items relating to good performance on a soccer wall-volley task. The hypnotic intervention comprised three sessions using ego-strengthening suggestions. The control group watched edited videos of professional soccer games. Results indicated that, following the intervention, the hypnosis group were more efficacious and performed better than the control group. These differences were also seen at the 4-week follow-up stage. Although changes in self-efficacy were associated with changes in performance, the effect of hypnosis on performance was not mediated by changes in self-efficacy. The study demonstrates that hypnosis can be used to enhance and maintain self-efficacy and soccer wall-volley performance.

J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2010 Apr;32(2):243-52. Barker J, Jones M, Greenlees I. Department of Sport and Exercise, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, United Kingdom.

George J. Pratt, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical and consulting psychologist with a private practice in La Jolla, California, where he has specialized in psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, behavioral medicine, and performance enhancement for the past 30 years. He has a depth of training and an abundance of experience to help people relieve their difficulties and work toward enhancement of their lives.

He is the chairman of Psychology at Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla.Fellow and Certified/Approved Consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

He is the co-author of several books including: A Clinical Hypnosis Primer, A Clinical Hypnosis Primer: Expanded & Updated, Hyper-Performance: The A.I.M. Strategy for Releasing Your Business Potential, and Instant Emotional Healing: Acupressure for the Emotions.

For more information, you can visit his website at: http://www.drgeorgepratt.com/

Full Title Current understanding of the relationship between cervical manipulation and stroke: what does it mean for the chiropractic profession?

ABSTRACT: The understanding of the relationship between cervical manipulative therapy (CMT) and vertebral artery dissection and stroke (VADS) has evolved considerably over the years. In the beginning the relationship was seen as simple cause-effect, in which CMT was seen to cause VADS in certain susceptible individuals. This was perceived as extremely rare by chiropractic physicians, but as far more common by neurologists and others. Recent evidence has clarified the relationship considerably, and suggests that the relationship is not causal, but that patients with VADS often have initial symptoms which cause them to seek care from a chiropractic physician and have a stroke some time after, independent of the chiropractic visit.This new understanding has shifted the focus for the chiropractic physician from one of attempting to "screen" for "risk of complication to manipulation" to one of recognizing the patient who may be having VADS so that early diagnosis and intervention can be pursued. In addition, this new understanding presents the chiropractic profession with an opportunity to change the conversation about CMT and VADS by taking a proactive, public health approach to this uncommon but potentially devastating disorder.

Murphy DR. Chiropr Osteopat. 2010 Aug 3;18:22. Rhode Island Spine Center, 600 Pawtucket Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA. rispine@aol.com.

The aim of this article is to provide a cursory review of some of the literature relating to loneliness, existentialism and touch. With reference to the critical incident analysis (see Box 1), a reflection on the learning that has been achieved both intrapersonally and interpersonally will also be provided. A consideration of how exactly this experience of structured reflection may be used to enhance and develop practice will also be explored. The review will analyze the key concepts of loneliness, existentialism, the therapeutic relationship and touch within the realms of nursing practice, specifically in relation to death and dying. This article seeks to highlight the importance of having an understanding of loneliness in nursing, particularly when caring for patients who are dying.

Playfair C. Br J Nurs. 2010 Jan 28-Feb 10;19(2):122, 124-6. The Royal Sussex County Hospital, East Sussex.

Background The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in paediatric populations is common yet, to date, there has been no synthesis of the evidence of its effectiveness in that population. This overview of systematic review evaluates the evidence for or against the effectiveness of CAM for any childhood condition. Methods Medline, AMED and Cochrane were searched from inception until September 2009. Reference lists of retrieved articles were hand-searched. Experts in the field of CAM were contacted. No language restrictions were applied. Results 17 systematic reviews were included in this overview, covering acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage and yoga. Results were unconvincing for most conditions although there is some evidence to suggest that acupuncture may be effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting, and that hypnotherapy may be effective in reducing procedure-related pain. Most of the reviews failed to mention the incidence of adverse effects of CAMs. Conclusions Although there is some encouraging evidence for hypnosis, herbal medicine and acupuncture, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that other CAMs are effective for the treatment of childhood conditions. Many of the systematic reviews included in this overview were of low quality, as were the randomised clinical trials within those reviews, further reducing the weight of that evidence. Future research in CAM for children should conform to the reporting standards outlined in the CONSORT and PRISMA guidelines.

Hunt K, Ernst E. Arch Dis Child. 2010 Jul 6. Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, UK.

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. 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

We have studied a number of long-term meditators in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in baseline brain function of experienced meditators compared to non-meditators. All subjects were recruited as part of an ongoing study of different meditation practices. We evaluated 12 advanced meditators and 14 non-meditators with cerebral blood flow (CBF) SPECT imaging at rest. Images were analyzed with both region of interest and statistical parametric mapping. The CBF of long-term meditators was significantly higher (p<.05) compared to non-meditators in the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, thalamus, putamen, caudate, and midbrain. There was also a significant difference in the thalamic laterality with long-term meditators having greater asymmetry. The observed changes associated with long-term meditation appear in structures that underlie the attention network and also those that relate to emotion and autonomic function.

Newberg AB, Wintering N, Waldman MR, Amen D, Khalsa DS, Alavi A. Conscious Cogn. 2010 Jun 4. Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, United States; Center for Spirituality and the Mind, University of Pennsylvania, United States.

Full Title: Using alternating bilateral stimulation of eye movement desensitization for treatment of fearful patients.

Since the mid-1990s, eye movement desensitization (EMD) has been used in the realm of clinical psychology and psychiatry as a nonpharmacotherapeutic modality for the treatment of phobias, post-traumatic symptoms, and various psychotrauma cases. EMD can also be incorporated into the use of hypnosis, although the two are not the same thing. This study examined various clinical applications of the eye movement component of EMD (known as alternating bilateral stimulation (ABS)) on fearful dental patients who had a history of traumatic dental experiences. Findings were based on the clinical impressions and assessments of both the patients and the operating team. Results show that ABS, while effective for enabling patients to undergo non-invasive dental procedures such as clinical examinations and simple prophylaxis, has only limited beneficial effect for extremely fearful patients who must undergo invasive procedures such as extraction, drilling, and injections. Nevertheless, ABS is effective for mild to moderate patient phobia and anxiety. Although EMD is more effective than ABS, ABS is simple and easy for patients and clinicians to perform during treatment and can be performed readily in the dental office.

Gen Dent. 2010 May-Jun;58(3):e140-7. Lu DP. Department of Oral Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, USA.

Prazosin is recommended for treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-associated nightmares. Level A. Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is recommended for treatment of nightmare disorder. Level A. Systematic Desensitization and Progressive Deep Muscle Relaxation training are suggested for treatment of idiopathic nightmares. Level B. Venlafaxine is not suggested for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares. Level B. Clonidine may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares. Level C. The following medications may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares, but the data are low grade and sparse: trazodone, atypical antipsychotic medications, topiramate, low dose cortisol, fluvoxamine, triazolam and nitrazepam, phenelzine, gabapentin, cyproheptadine, and tricyclic antidepressants. Nefazodone is not recommended as first line therapy for nightmare disorder because of the increased risk of hepatotoxicity. Level C. The following behavioral therapies may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares based on low-grade evidence: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT); Sleep Dynamic Therapy; Hypnosis; Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); and the Testimony Method. Level C. The following behavioral therapies may be considered for treatment of nightmare disorder based on low-grade evidence: Lucid Dreaming Therapy and Self-Exposure Therapy. Level C No recommendation is made regarding clonazepam and individual psychotherapy because of sparse data.

J Clin Sleep Med. 2010 Aug 15;6(4):389-401. Aurora RN, Zak RS, Auerbach SH, Casey KR, Chowdhuri S, Karippot A, Maganti RK, Ramar K, Kristo DA, Bista SR, Lamm CI, Morgenthaler TI; Standards of Practice Committee; American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

Full Title Can slow breathing exercises improve seizure control in people with refractory epilepsy? A hypothesis.

Studies on various medical conditions have shown that poor health is associated with lower parasympathetic tone. People with epilepsy appear to have decreased parasympathetic tone, with a greater decrease in those with intractable seizures than in those with well-controlled epilepsy. Slow breathing exercises have been shown to increase parasympathetic tone in healthy volunteers. Slow breathing exercises have been shown to improve a number of medical conditions including asthma, hypertension, anxiety states, and posttraumatic stress disorder. We hypothesize that slow breathing exercises in people with epilepsy can lead to an increase in parasympathetic tone and an accompanying reduction in seizure frequency. The slow breathing exercises, probably through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and pulmonary stretch receptors, affect cortical activity and hence seizure thresholds. It is also possible that slow breathing exercises might reduce seizure frequency by reducing anxiety. The hypothesis can be tested by employing devices and protocols that have been used to reduce breathing rates and have been shown to improve health outcomes in other medical conditions.

Yuen AW, Sander JW. Epilepsy Behav. 2010 Aug;18(4):331-4. Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK. alan@yuen.co.uk

Weight training is a method commonly used to increase strength. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of breathing technique during weight training on heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). After completing a health history questionnaire, 30 subjects (16 men: 21.25 +/- 1.21 years, 180.26 +/- 2.36 cm, 84.31 +/- 19.32 kg; and 14 women: 21.29 +/- 2.37 years, 170.08 +/- 2.15 cm, 137.36 +/- 62.31 kg) were familiarized and tested for an estimated 1 repetition maximum, on the chest press and leg press lifts using each of the 2 breathing techniques, hold breath (HB), and controlled breathing. Lifts were examined using each breathing technique with 1 set of 10 repetitions on separate days. Data were collected during the push phase on average of 3.72 times per set and again at 1 and 5 minutes post lift. Resting, during lift (peak, average); 1-minute and 5-minute post lift BP; and HR values were measured using the NIBP100A noninvasive BP system (Biopac Systems, Inc), for both breathing technique within each lift. The HB technique posted higher but statistically insignificant (p < 0.05) values for systolic BP (p = 0.420), diastolic BP (p = 0.531), and HR (p = 0.713) than the controlled breath technique. The HB technique used in this investigation produced minimal elevations in HR and BP and appears to be safe when performing the chest press and leg press lifts at a moderate resistance. Education on proper weight training techniques can help limit unwanted risks during these exercises.

Lepley AS, Hatzel BM. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Aug;24(8):2179-83. Movement Science Department, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, USA. leple013@umn.edu

This article reviews the etiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and associated psychological sequelae in children and adolescents with this lifelong disease. Pediatric-onset IBD, consisting of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, has significant medical morbidity and in many young persons is also associated with psychological and psychosocial challenges. Depression and anxiety are particularly prevalent and have a multifaceted etiology, including IBD-related factors such as cytokines and steroids used to treat IBD and psychosocial stress. A growing number of empirically supported interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, and educational resources, help youth and their parents cope with IBD as well as the psychological and psychosocial sequelae. While there is convincing evidence that such interventions can help improve anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life, their effects on IBD severity and course await further study.

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2010 Apr;19(2):301-18, ix. Szigethy E, McLafferty L, Goyal A. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. szigethye@upmc.edu

Ron Klein, M.C.S., NBCCH, CAAC, is a Certified Trainer in NLP and an approved Continuing Education Provider. He is a nationally recognized teacher of clinical hypnosis and brief solution-focused psychotherapy. Ron has Twenty-eight years experience as a counselor and teacher. He has presented hundreds of workshops for AHTA providing training to more than 4800 mental health and health care professionals.

Ron has also taught courses in Ericksonian Hypnotherapy in a variety of public and private settings, including Georgetown University Medical School, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, The Maryland State Mental Health Department, the University of Maryland, The American Academy of Psychotherapists, and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work. Ron was for five years the staff hypnotherapist at the Medical Illness Counseling Center, a psychiatric center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Ron is also a Professional Coach specializing in helping mental health practitioners in marketing and practice building.

For more information visit: American Hypnosis Training Academy.

Full Title A descriptive study of a manual therapy intervention within a randomised controlled trial for hamstring and lower limb injury prevention.

BACKGROUND: There is little literature describing the use of manual therapy performed on athletes. It was our purpose to document the usage of a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention within a RCT by identifying the type, amount, frequency, location and reason for treatment provided. This information is useful for the uptake of the intervention into clinical settings and to allow clinicians to better understand a role that sports chiropractors offer.

METHODS: All treatment rendered to 29 semi-elite Australian Rules footballers in the sports chiropractic intervention group of an 8 month RCT investigating hamstring and lower-limb injury prevention was recorded. Treatment was pragmatically and individually determined and could consist of high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation, mobilization and/or supporting soft tissue therapies. Descriptive statistics recorded the treatment rendered for symptomatic or asymptomatic benefit, delivered to joint or soft tissue structures and categorized into body regions. For the joint therapy, it was recorded whether treatment consisted of HVLA manipulation, HVLA manipulation and mobilization, or mobilization only. Breakdown of the HVLA technique was performed.

RESULTS: A total of 487 treatments were provided (mean 16.8 consultations/player) with 64% of treatment for asymptomatic benefit (73% joint therapies, 57% soft tissue therapies). Treatment was delivered to approximately 4 soft tissue and 4 joint regions each consultation. The most common asymptomatic regions treated with joint therapies were thoracic (22%), knee (20%), hip (19%), sacroiliac joint (13%) and lumbar (11%). For soft tissue therapies it was gluteal (22%), hip flexor (14%), knee (12%) and lumbar (11%). The most common symptomatic regions treated with joint therapies were lumbar (25%), thoracic (15%) and hip (14%). For soft tissue therapies it was gluteal (22%), lumbar (15%) and posterior thigh (8%). Of the joint therapy, 56% was HVLA manipulation only, 36% high-HVLA and mobilization and 9% mobilization only. Of the HVLA manipulation, 63% was manually performed and 37% mechanically assisted.

CONCLUSIONS: The intervention applied was multimodal and multi-regional. Most treatment was for asymptomatic benefit, particularly for joint based therapies, which consisted largely of HVLA manipulation techniques. Most treatment was applied to non-local hamstring structures, in particular the knee, hip, pelvis and spine.

Hoskins W, Pollard H. Chiropr Osteopat. 2010 Aug 9;18:23. Department of Chiropractic, Faculty of Science, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia. waynehoskins@iinet.net.au.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the importance of non-pharmacological therapies for dementia has come to the fore. In the present study, we examined the curative effects of aromatherapy in dementia in 28 elderly people, 17 of whom had Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS: After a control period of 28 days, aromatherapy was performed over the following 28 days, with a wash out period of another 28 days. Aromatherapy consisted of the use of rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning, and lavender and orange in the evening. To determine the effects of aromatherapy, patients were evaluated using the Japanese version of the Gottfries, Brane, Steen scale (GBSS-J), Functional Assessment Staging of Alzheimer's disease (FAST), a revised version of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS-R), and the Touch Panel-type Dementia Assessment Scale (TDAS) four times: before the control period, after the control period, after aromatherapy, and after the washout period.

RESULTS: All patients showed significant improvement in personal orientation related to cognitive function on both the GBSS-J and TDAS after therapy. In particular, patients with AD showed significant improvement in total TDAS scores. Result of routine laboratory tests showed no significant changes, suggesting that there were no side-effects associated with the use of aromatherapy. Results from Zarit's score showed no significant changes, suggesting that caregivers had no effect on the improved patient scores seen in the other tests.

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we found aromatherapy an efficacious non-pharmacological therapy for dementia. Aromatherapy may have some potential for improving cognitive function, especially in AD patients.

Jimbo D, Kimura Y, Taniguchi M, Inoue M, Urakami K. Psychogeriatrics. 2009 Dec;9(4):173-9. Department of Biological Regulation, School of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan.

Children with a cancer diagnosis experience symptom distress, including anxiety, because of the disease and its treatment. Parents experience stress and anxiety because of the uncertainty of the disease as well as the suffering of their children. Yoga is a complementary intervention that has physiological and psychological benefits in healthy children and healthy and chronically ill adults. On an inpatient hematology/oncology unit, 11 children aged 6 to 12 years, 5 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years, and 33 parents participated in a single yoga session tailored to the needs and abilities of the patients and parents. Sense of well-being pre- and postclass was measured with the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale. Children had normal anxiety scores preclass that did not change. Adolescents and parents experienced significant decreases in anxiety scores, and all cohorts gave positive feedback about the experience. The authors conclude that yoga is a feasible intervention for this population and is beneficial to adolescents and parents.

Thygeson MV, Hooke MC, Clapsaddle J, Robbins A, Moquist K. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2010 Sep-Oct;27(5):276-84. Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. megan.thygeson@childrensmn.org

The effect of Qigong meditation on the hemodynamics of the prefrontal cortex was investigated by spectroscopy with a single-wavelength probe (650 nm) and confirmed by standard near-infrared spectroscopy with a dual-wavelength probe. Deoxyhemoglobin changes were recorded with the single-wavelength probe over the left prefrontal cortex during meditation by Qigong practitioners, and non-practitioners instructed in the technique. Practitioners showed a significant decrease in deoxyhemoglobin levels suggesting an increase in prefrontal activation during meditation. The results were confirmed in a second set of experiments with the standard dual-wavelength probe, in which significant differences in the decrease in deoxyhemoglobin and increase in oxyhemoglobin concentrations were observed in practitioners as compared with non-practitioners. The study thus provides evidence that Qigong meditation has a significant effect on prefrontal activation.

Cheng RW, Borrett DS, Cheng W, Kwan HC, Cheng RS. 26.Int J Neurosci. 2010 Jul;120(7):483-8. Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

by Tim Brunson, PhD

Altering the space/time encoding related to a person's performance of a specific task may accelerate the unlearning of poor behavior and thought patterns and facilitate the rapid re-programming of new ones. My approach to space and time elements of encoding serves as a significantly different approach regarding how coaching and psychotherapeutic interventions can be employed.

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Full Title: On telling the whole story: facts and interpretations in autobiographical memory narratives from childhood through midadolescence.

This article examines age differences from childhood through middle adolescence in the extent to which children include factual and interpretive information in constructing autobiographical memory narratives. Factual information is defined as observable or perceptible information available to all individuals who experience a given event, while interpretive information is defined as information that articulates the desires, emotions, beliefs, and thoughts of the participant and other individuals who experience an event. Developmental research suggests that the latter type of information should become particularly prevalent in later adolescence, while the former should be abundantly evident by age 8. Across 2 studies, we found evidence for strong increases in interpretive information during adolescence, but not before. These increases were evident across different types of events, and across different subtypes of interpretive content. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the development of autobiographical memory in childhood and adolescence.

Dev Psychol. 2010 May;46(3):735-46. Pasupathi M, Wainryb C. Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. pasupath@psych.utah.edu