Full title: Factors that Influence Self-reported General Health Status Among Different Asian Ethnic Groups: Evidence from the Roadmap to the New Horizon: Linking Asians to Improved Health and Wellness Study.

Little is known about the determinants of self-reported general health status among different Asian ethnic subgroups. Using a community-based participatory research approach, we designed, administered, and analyzed a cross-sectional survey of 705 Asians (292 Chinese, 226 Korean, 187 Vietnamese) in the Portland, Oregon region to describe associations between general health status and several sociodemographic and health-related factors in pooled and ethnic-group-stratified samples. Ethnic variation existed in all covariate distributions, except employment, public-service use, language use, health status, visiting healthcare providers, sleep habits, and use of prayer, meditation, yoga or acupuncture. Acculturation measures were strong predictors of poor/fair health in logistic regression models regardless of ethnicity. Ethnic variation in outcome status existed for all remaining covariates. Most health-related research overlooks the heterogeneity within the Asian population. These findings highlight substantial variability in the associations between self-reported general health status and sociodemographic and health-related measures between Asian ethnic groups.

J Immigr Minor Health. 2011 Jun;13(3):555-67. Maty SC, Leung H, Lau C, Kim G. School of Community Health, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR, 97207-0751, USA, maty@pdx.edu.

Central neuropathic itch can be a lifelong debilitating condition and treatment challenge. We report a patient with a traumatic brain injury with severe intractable pruritus who failed extensive pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment but responded to a holistic approach using healing touch. We discuss the complexity of this type of neuropathic itch and present a holistic approach as an adjunct to therapy in reducing itch intensity. This case presentation along with the literature discussed suggests a therapeutic strategy for the management of complicated central neuropathic itch.

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 May;64(5):955-9. Epub 2011 Feb 3. Curtis AR, Tegeler C, Burdette J, Yosipovitch G. Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. acurtis@wfubmc.edu

Abstract A recent methodological approach for human classification, diagnosis, and therapeutics through the combination of current Western constitutional psychology somatotypes and traditional Indian medicine (prakriti) body types and mind (manas) is herein presented. The striking similarities between psychologic somatotypes and Indian medicine body types permits proposal of a finite genopsycho-somatotyping of humans. Genopsycho-somatotyping of humans consists of a set of common physiologic, physical, and psychologic attributes related to acommon basic birth constitution that remains somewhat permanent during human lifetime, since it is proposed that this birth constitution is programmed in the person's DNA (genes). This mainly provides a tool for classifying the human population based on broad and finite phenotype clusters across different ethnicity, languages, geographical location, or self-reported ancestry. In spite of any social or environmental traumatic event, I propose for males that every basic constitution has an associated identification organ, a measured property or marker, a soma, and some psyche general tendencies suggesting specific behavior or recurrent conduct. Three (3) basic extreme genopsycho-somatotypes or birth constitutions are enunciated: mesomorphic or andrus (Pitta), endomorphic or thymus (Khapa), and ectomorphic or thyrus (Vata). The method further predicts that male andrus constitution across races shares similarities in androgen (An) nuclear receptor behavior, whereas thymus constitutions are mainly regulated by T-cells (Tc) nuclear receptor behavior. Moreover, it suggests that thyrus constitutions share similarities in thyroxine (Th) nuclear receptor behavior. These proposed nuclear receptors are expected to regulate the expression of specific genes, thereby controlling the embryonic development, adult homeostasis, and metabolism of the human organism in a very profound way. The method finally predicts small differences in measured property (An, Tc, and Th nuclear receptors behavior) within a birth constitution across different races to be expected by modulation effects in melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor behavior.

J Altern Complement Med. 2011 May;17(5):465-8. Epub 2011 May 12. Rizzo-Sierra CV. 1 Unit of Innovation in the Health and Life Sciences (IESV), Department of Physics and Geology, University of Pamplona , Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia .

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this manuscript is to provide evidence-informed practice recommendations for the chiropractic treatment of headache in adults. METHODS: Systematic literature searches of controlled clinical trials published through August 2009 relevant to chiropractic practice were conducted using the databases MEDLINE; EMBASE; Allied and Complementary Medicine; the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; Manual, Alternative, and Natural Therapy Index System; Alt HealthWatch; Index to Chiropractic Literature; and the Cochrane Library. The number, quality, and consistency of findings were considered to assign an overall strength of evidence (strong, moderate, limited, or conflicting) and to formulate practice recommendations. RESULTS: Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria and were used to develop recommendations. Evidence did not exceed a moderate level. For migraine, spinal manipulation and multimodal multidisciplinary interventions including massage are recommended for management of patients with episodic or chronic migraine. For tension-type headache, spinal manipulation cannot be recommended for the management of episodic tension-type headache. A recommendation cannot be made for or against the use of spinal manipulation for patients with chronic tension-type headache. Low-load craniocervical mobilization may be beneficial for longer term management of patients with episodic or chronic tension-type headaches. For cervicogenic headache, spinal manipulation is recommended. Joint mobilization or deep neck flexor exercises may improve symptoms. There is no consistently additive benefit of combining joint mobilization and deep neck flexor exercises for patients with cervicogenic headache. Adverse events were not addressed in most clinical trials; and if they were, there were none or they were minor. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches. The type, frequency, dosage, and duration of treatment(s) should be based on guideline recommendations, clinical experience, and findings. Evidence for the use of spinal manipulation as an isolated intervention for patients with tension-type headache remains equivocal.

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011 Jun;34(5):274-89. Bryans R, Descarreaux M, Duranleau M, Marcoux H, Potter B, Ruegg R, Shaw L, Watkin R, White E. Guidelines Development Committee Chair and Chiropractor, Private Practice, Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

This study examined the relationship between proactive learning in hypnosis, post-hypnotic suggestion, and academic performance. Participants (N = 56) were randomly assigned to a control group or a treatment group. The treatment group was hypnotized and read a passage while in hypnosis. Concurrently, they were given a post-hypnotic suggestion, which attempted to aid recognition and performance on a test immediately following the hypnosis session. Both groups completed a multiple-choice test based on the aforementioned passage. An analysis of covariance discerned the effect of proactive learning and post-hypnotic suggestion on test performance, while controlling for the variance introduced by scholastic aptitude as measured by the ACT. Results indicated that the hypnosis sessions predicted significantly impaired test performance.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2011 Apr;53(4):247-54. Jacobson N, Kramer S, Tharp A, Costa S, Hawley P. Truman State Universit, USA. njacobson88@gmail.com

Full title: The Effect of Music Therapy on Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients' Anxiety, Finger Temperature and Electroencephalography: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety in hospitalized psychiatric patients.Methodology. The authors used a randomized clinical trial design and randomly allocated the 24 enrolled participants to the experimental or the control group. Patients in the experimental group received music therapy in a therapy room at a set time for 30 min each morning for 11 days. The authors administered the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and measured skin temperature and brain waves to determine anxiety level before, during, and after music therapy.Results. Experimental group participants had lower scores on the BAI than control participants, after the music therapy (z = -2.0, p < .05) and at 1-week follow-up (z = -2.2, p < .05), indicating that they were experiencing significantly less anxiety. The mean BAI anxiety score fell in the experimental group from 23.9 (SD = 9.9) at baseline to 13.9 (SD = 8.8), after music therapy, and 12.7. (SD = 10.5) at follow-up. The experimental group demonstrated a significant elevation in the average alpha electroencephalographic (EEG) percentage (from 38.1% to 46.7%) and a reduction in the average beta EEG percentage (from 61.9% to 53.4%) after the music therapy. After adjusting for change in patient finger temperature on the first day, mean change in finger temperature did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups.Conclusions. Music therapy can relieve anxiety in hospitalized psychiatric patients and help them achieve a state of relaxation.

Biol Res Nurs. 2011 May 17. Yang CY, Chen CH, Chu H, Chen WC, Lee TY, Chen SG, Chou KR.

A pioneer in the field of Energy Medicine for more than two decades, Donna Eden has taught people worldwide how to understand the body as an energy system. As Caroline Myss writes in her Foreword to Donna's acclaimed book, Energy Medicine: "The contribution Donna Eden has made will stand as one of the backbone studies as we lay a sound foundation for the field of holistic medicine." Donna is widely recognized for her in-born ability to clairvoyantly see the body's energies, to accurately determine the causes of physical and psychological problems based on the state of those energies, and to devise highly effective treatments. A deeply loving and joyful personality, Donna has taught hundreds of classes, speaking to packed houses throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America.

For more information visit: www.InnerSource.net

Carol Sommer is a licensed clinical counselor, executive coach, and corporate consultant. A Psychology instructor for the College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn, IL, Carol also has served on the faculties of American Healthcare Institute, Daley College in Chicago, and the Milton H. Erickson Institute of Chicago. Carol is a highly acclaimed seminar leader who provides advanced training to both clinical and corporate audiences internationally. Corporate clients include Arthur Andersen, Andersen Consulting, Sears, J.P. Morgan, Rand McNally, Illinois Bell Telephone, Sprint, American Express and Commonwealth Edison. In 1994 Carol toured China as a delegate in the field of hypnotherapy, There she taught hypnosis theory and application to medical professionals in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Carol has presented at numerous professional conferences, including American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Ericksonian Congresses, and the International Association of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP). She has published two research papers on hypnosis and is the author of Conversational Hypnosis: A Manual of Indirect Suggestion. Carol is a certified Hypnotherapist and Consultant through the American Society of Hypnosis, and a certified trainer of NLP. She serves on the board of the Chicago Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Carol lives in Downers Grove, IL where she maintains an active private practice in personal and professional coaching and counseling.

For more information visit: www.SommerSolutions.com.

Full title: Complementary medicine for children and young people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite effectiveness of medication in treating children and young people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), concerns about the effects of medication on children's developing brains, adverse side-effects, possibility of long-term use, and compliance issues have all contributed to the continuing search for alternative therapies. This article reviews the latest scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of these treatments in ADHD. RECENT FINDINGS: Although there is evidence from a large randomized controlled study that neurofeedback has positive effects on reducing children's symptoms of ADHD, most recent randomized controlled trials have generally yielded negative results. Some positive results exist from a pilot study of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. However, the sample size was far too small to enable any conclusions to be drawn about the evidence. Findings from the recent randomized controlled trials of supplements of essential fatty acids in children who have ADHD clearly demonstrated lack of superiority compared with placebo.SUMMARY: Notwithstanding efforts made to increase the scientific rigor of previous studies, more recent studies have generally been unsuccessful in demonstrating adequate treatment effects of complementary medicine on children who have ADHD. Currently, there is no proof that complementary medicine provides a better alternative for children who have ADHD than treatments that are currently available within multimodal therapy.

Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2011 Jul;24(4):291-300. Skokauskas N, McNicholas F, Masaud T, Frodl T. aDepartment of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Ireland bDepartment of Child Psychiatry, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Lucena Clinic, Rathgar and University College, Ireland cDepartment of Psychiatry, Drug Treatment Centre Board, Ireland dDepartment of Psychiatry, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

Dr. Delman's first degree was in business management. For twenty years his career focused on the management of manufacturing plants, car racing-related businesses, and then claims in the insurance industry. He then became a chiropractor and for eighteen years successfully practiced that profession until he retired to travel around the USA. As he and his wife traveled around the country, they visited many chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners. He discovered that, although many practitioners were excellent professional technicians, many struggled to keep their practices alive because they didn't know basic business concepts. After discussing their various business problems with Dr. Delman, he would outline some simple solutions. Using his business recommendations, the practitioners found it easier to manage their offices, with sometimes dramatic increases in cash flow and major decreases in problem areas. Dr. Delman realized that there was a business crisis developing in many single-owner health practices, due to decreased income from managed care, increased competition, and a lack of general business knowledge among chiropractors. To address the lack of chiropractic business information available to his colleagues, Dr. Delman wrote The Business of Chiropractic: How to Prosper After Startup, which was published in 1999. An expanded and updated second edition was published in 2002.Dr. Delman's articles have been published in all the major chiropractic business journals.

For more information visit: www.BusinessofChiropractic.com.

by Coach Cary Bayer

A dog is a man's best friend, and may be a healer's best teacher. A dog embodies so many qualities of the Enlightenment described by the world's spiritual teachers that it's hardly coincidental that dog is god spelled backwards. Speaking colloquially...doggonit--a canine can help inspire business growth.

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Full title: Placebo studies and ritual theory: a comparative analysis of Navajo, acupuncture and biomedical healing.

Using a comparative analysis of Navajo healing ceremonials, acupuncture and biomedical treatment, this essay examines placebo studies and ritual theory as mutually interpenetrating disciplines. Healing rituals create a receptive person susceptible to the influences of authoritative culturally sanctioned 'powers'. The healer provides the sufferer with imaginative, emotional, sensory, moral and aesthetic input derived from the palpable symbols and procedures of the ritual process-in the process fusing the sufferer's idiosyncratic narrative unto a universal cultural mythos. Healing rituals involve a drama of evocation, enactment, embodiment and evaluation in a charged atmosphere of hope and uncertainty. Experimental research into placebo effects demonstrates that routine biomedical pharmacological and procedural interventions contain significant ritual dimensions. This research also suggests that ritual healing not only represents changes in affect, self-awareness and self-appraisal of behavioural capacities, but involves modulations of symptoms through neurobiological mechanisms. Recent scientific investigations into placebo acupuncture suggest several ways that observations from ritual studies can be verified experimentally. Placebo effects are often described as 'non-specific'; the analysis presented here suggests that placebo effects are the 'specific' effects of healing rituals.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2011 Jun 27;366(1572):1849-58. Kaptchuk TJ. Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, , 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

Full title: Changes in cognitive evoked potentials during non pharmacological treatment in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most widely spread condition of school aged children affecting 5% of children of this age. The unified consensus of the precise diagnosis of this condition is still absent. This fact encourages the researchers to seek the alternative neurometric tools which will help the clinicians in diagnosis making process of ADHD. The neurophysiologic approaches especially event-related potentials (ERPs) are mostly important from this point of view. The later response of ERPs (P3) reflects the most important parts of executive functioning frequently affected in ADHD children - the process of mental effortfullness to select the appropriate behavior and decision making. Besides the diagnosis the treatment of ADHD is also the point of concern of neurologists and neurophyschologists. In recent years EEG biofeedback ( Neurofeedback-NF) have become the alternative treatment as in some cases pharmacological drugs are non effective. The positive impact of NF was based on improvement detected by various questionnaires which are less valid but its effectiveness on ERPs parameters is still unknown. Thus we aimed to study the changes of ERPs after NF therapy. Methods: We have studied 93 children with ADHD of combined subtype (ADHDcom) without any kind of pharmacological treatment. Age range 9-12 years. The children were divided into two subgroups: The first ADHDcom-1 (48 children) were children where NF treatment was carried out and the second subgroup of ADHDcom-2 (45 children) were non treated children. Results: We have observed statistically significant improvement of parameters of later response like P3 in ADHD-1 compared with ADHD-2 whereas NF was non effective for earlier component like N1. Conclusions: NF can positively affect on the P3 parameters which is very important in ADHD children as P3 reflects the speed of information processing as well as selection of appropriate action and decision making which are frequently affected in ADHD children.

Georgian Med News. 2011 Mar;(192):47-57. Bakhtadze S, Janelidze M, Khachapuridze N. S. Khechinashvili Univeristy Clinic, Tbilisi, Georgia; G. Zhvania University Clinic, Tbilisi, Georgia.

Following a brief review of the literature on hypnosis and memory, this paper overviews the procedures that are used in conducting forensic hypnosis interviews. Ten forensic hypnosis cases are then described. These real world cases are in stark contrast to research done in an artificial laboratory setting where the information to be recalled lacks personal relevance and was not associated with emotionally arousing situations. These cases illustrate how forensic hypnosis can result in obtaining important additional investigative leads which lead to the solving of crimes.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2011 Apr;53(4):255-69. Wester WC 2nd, Hammond DC. wwester@cinci.rr.com

Purpose: Research completed in Asia on various forms of qigong over time has repeatedly linked the practice to positive health outcomes. To demonstrate that Spring Forest Qigong (SFQ) knowledge is easily accessible, promotes self-efficacy, and has measurable health benefits, a pilot study on SFQ and chronic pain was designed. Design: This mixed-methods study oriented 122 subjects to Level 1 SFQ. Method: Participants were required to complete four symptom surveys (including the Visual Analog Scale), attend three group meetings (beginning, middle, end of study), practice SFQ for 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks, and keep a practice record. Findings: Pearson correlation coefficients were computed pairwise between the symptom surveys. Pearson's chi-square tests were used to assess the association of these variables between the four survey time points, with statistical significance assessed at a =.05. The hypothesis was statistically supported. The active exercise and the meditation aspects of SFQ are effective self-care modalities for persons with perceived chronic physical pain and/or emotional distress. Conclusions : Subjects (n = 86) demonstrated significant improvement both statistically and anecdotally during the study period. Clinical relevance : Findings indicate that health care providers could promote this promising evidenced-based modality for adults to actualize heath promotion practices.

J Holist Nurs. 2011 Jun;29(2):118-28. Epub 2010 Nov 9. Coleman JF. Gustavus Adolphus College, Professor Emerita, 14373 Woodville Court, Waseca, MN 56093, colemanj@gustavus.edu.

Many clinical disorders, whether neurological (e.g. Alzheimer's disease) or neuropsychiatric (e.g. schizophrenia and depression), exhibit cognitive symptoms that require pharmacological treatment. Cognition is multi-faceted and includes processes of perception, attention, working memory, long-term memory, executive function, language and social cognition. This article reviews how it is feasible to model many aspects of human cognition with the use of appropriate animal models and associated techniques, including the use of computer controlled tests (e.g. touch-screens), for optimising translation of experimental research to the clinic. When investigating clinical disorders, test batteries should aim to profile cognitive function in order to determine which aspects are impaired and which are preserved. In this review we have paid particular attention to the validation of translational methods; this may be done through the application of common theoretical principles, by comparing the effects of psychological manipulations and, wherever feasible, with the demonstration of homologous neural circuitry or equivalent pharmacological actions in the animal and human paradigms. Of particular importance is the use of 'back-translation' to ensure that the animal model has validity, for example, in predicting the effects of therapeutic drugs already found in human studies. It is made clear that the choice of appropriate behavioral tests is an important element of animal models of neuropsychiatric or neurological disorder; however, of course it is also important to select appropriate manipulations, whether genetic, neurodevelopmental, neurotoxic, or pharmacological, for simulating the neural substrates relevant to the disorders that lead to predictable behavioral and cognitive impairments, for optimising the testing of candidate compounds.

Biochem Pharmacol. 2011 Jun 15;81(12):1356-66. Epub 2011 Jan 8. Keeler JF, Robbins TW. Dept. of Expt. Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK; Dept. of Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK.

Abstract Objectives: Many providers of Ayurvedic massage treatments make unsubstantiated claims regarding their potential psychologic and physiologic benefits. While these claims are based on ancient traditions of the Indian medical system as well as personal experience, no attempt had yet been made to verify the effect of Ayurvedic oil massage within the Western-scientific context. This pilot study assessed the single-dose effect of Abhyanga, the classic Ayurvedic oil massage, in terms of its impact on subjective stress experience. Design: Ten (10) healthy women (mean [M] 36.4 years, standard deviation [SD] 4.62) and 10 healthy men (M 37.0 years, SD 3.23) underwent a 1-hour Abhyanga massage treatment. The study employed a repeated-measures design for the collection of stress data using a validated and published questionnaire, as well as for the collection of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) values, immediately pre- and postintervention. Results: Subjects showed high statistically and clinically significant reductions in subjective stress experience. A consequent analysis of physiologic data indicated likewise reductions in HR, while a BP reduction was not recorded for the total sample, but was only found in the prehypertensive subgroup. Conclusions: Findings indicate that Abhyanga massage is promising in reducing subjective stress experience. It may be beneficial in lowering HR in all, and BP in prehypertensive subjects. The results of this pilot study encourage further research with more stringent methodology.

J Altern Complement Med. 2011 May;17(5):435-40. Epub 2011 May 13. Basler AJ. Marburg, Germany .

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review on manual and manipulative therapy (MMT) for common shoulder pain and disorders. METHODS: A search of the literature was conducted using the Cumulative Index of Nursing Allied Health Literature; PubMed; Manual, Alternative, and Natural Therapy Index System; Physiotherapy Evidence Database; and Index to Chiropractic Literature dating from January 1983 to July 7, 2010. Search limits included the English language and human studies along with MeSH terms such as manipulation, chiropractic, osteopathic, orthopedic, musculoskeletal, physical therapies, shoulder, etc. Inclusion criteria required a shoulder peripheral diagnosis and MMT with/without multimodal therapy. Exclusion criteria included pain referred from spinal sites without a peripheral shoulder diagnosis. Articles were assessed primarily using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale in conjunction with modified guidelines and systems. After synthesis and considered judgment scoring were complete, with subsequent participant review and agreement, evidence grades of A, B, C, and I were applied. RESULTS: A total of 211 citations were retrieved, and 35 articles were deemed useful. There is fair evidence (B) for the treatment of a variety of common rotator cuff disorders, shoulder disorders, adhesive capsulitis, and soft tissue disorders using MMT to the shoulder, shoulder girdle, and/or the full kinetic chain (FKC) combined with or without exercise and/or multimodal therapy. There is limited (C) and insufficient (I) evidence for MMT treatment of minor neurogenic shoulder pain and shoulder osteoarthritis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a level of B or fair evidence for MMT of the shoulder, shoulder girdle, and/or the FKC combined with multimodal or exercise therapy for rotator cuff injuries/disorders, disease, or dysfunction. There is a fair or B level of evidence for MMT of the shoulder/shoulder girdle and FKC combined with a multimodal treatment approach for shoulder complaints, dysfunction, disorders, and/or pain.

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011 Jun;34(5):314-46. Brantingham JW, Cassa TK, Bonnefin D, Jensen M, Globe G, Hicks M, Korporaal C. Director of Research and Associate Professor, Department of Research, Cleveland Chiropractic College, Los Angeles, CA.

Hypnosis has been used in the treatment of bulimia nervosa from the early 1980s. Dissociation theory identified a certain subgroup of eating disordered patients with dissociative signs and symptoms. These patients react well to hypnotherapy. Simultaneous hypnosis ("tandem hypnosis") in the treatment of two female 19-year-old monozygotic twins led to a very successful outcome after 6 sessions. During the therapy, attempts were made to work through the physical abuse the subjects suffered from their father. Hypnobehavioural methods were used and treatment was combined with five individual sessions. In the cases presented here, the subjects' traumatic history, their high hypnotic susceptibility, and the effectiveness of hypnotherapy seem to support the dissociative mechanism of symptom development. A systemic approach involving the integration of family therapeutical and hypnotherapeutical interventions proved to be useful. The role of these types of hypnotherapy interventions is still undervalued.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2011 Apr;53(4):271-81. Túry F, Wildmann M, Szentes A. Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary 1089 Budapest, Nagyvárad tér 4. tury@t-online.hu

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to perform acoustic analysis of environmental sounds used in sound therapy for tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) and to evaluate the efficacy of TRT performed by using a portable music player (PMP) with recorded environmental sounds as the sound generator. METHODS: Acoustic analysis of environmental sounds was performed using a sound analyzer. The subjects were 23 patients with chronic tinnitus. Patients who had bilateral hearing loss and required hearing assistance were fitted with hearing aids (HAs). Patients with normal hearing or unilateral hearing loss were fitted with a tinnitus control instrument (TCI) or a PMP. The patients were divided into the PMP group, TCI group, and HA group. All subjects underwent audiometric evaluations prior to TRT and completed the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI). The THI scores were evaluated before treatment and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: The sound spectrogram of the murmur of a stream showed a wide-frequency band with a constant strength, whereas that of a wave sound showed a wide-frequency band with variable strength. The THI score clearly decreased after 1 month, and this decrease tended to continue over 12 months. The TRT efficacy ratios in the PMP group, TCI group, and HA group at 12 months after treatment were 71%, 67%, and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TRT using a PMP had efficacy similar to those of TCI and HA. The murmur of a stream was one of the most effective sounds in TRT. TRT using a PMP as the sound generator can provide the most cost-effective treatment option for tinnitus patients.

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2011 May 19. Fukuda S, Miyashita T, Inamoto R, Mori N. Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan.

Dr. Paul W. Schenk earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Baylor University in 1978, one of the first graduate schools in the country to offer the Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D., pronounced "Sigh-D".) He and his wife, both Boston area natives, then spent a year in Virginia where she completed her Nurse Practitioner training at the University of Virginia. They settled in Atlanta the following year, where he has been in private practice since. Now married for 31 years with two sons (22 and 17), he enjoys model railroading and has enjoyed serving as a Cubmaster with the Scouts and as a coach for Odyssey of the Mind.

He is the author of several articles and a newly published book entitled The Hypnotic Use of Waking Dreams.

For more information visit http://www.DrPaulSchenk.com.

Dr. Michael Gach founded the Acupressure Institute in 1976, one of the leading international training schools in Asian bodywork. He is a national expert on acupressure therapy and has taught over 100,000 people from all over the world. He is also the originator of Acu-Yoga, a self-healing system of exercises that integrates acupressure and yoga. He received his PhD from Columbia Pacific University in health and human services.Beth Ann Henning, Dipl ABT, is the founder and director of Tao Institute Inc., located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He has studied with various teachers and spiritual leaders, and holds certifications in various modalities including Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner, Reiki, acupressure therapy, herbology, Acu-Yoga, Shotakan karate, Shazen somatic therapies and esoteric theory.

For more information visit: www.Acupressure.com.

Full title: Measurement properties of the pressure biofeedback unit in the evaluation of transversus abdominis muscle activity: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Measurements from pressure biofeedback units (PBUs) can be used to evaluate the activity of the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle indirectly. These measurements can classify patients or monitor the progress of treatment programmes for people with low back pain. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review studies on the measurement properties of PBUs for the assessment of TrA activity. DATA SOURCES: Eligible studies were identified through searches of PUBMED, CINAHL and BIREME (1990 to 2009). In addition, hand searches of journals and citation tracking were performed. STUDY SELECTION: Full-text studies involving any type of clinimetric tests of PBU measurement for the assessment of TrA activity were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers selected the studies, extracted the data and assessed methodological quality. DATA SYNTHESIS: Due to the heterogeneity of study designs and statistical analysis, it was not possible to pool the data for a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies were typically of low quality and recruited healthy subjects rather than patients with low back pain. The studies found moderate to good reproducibility (intra-class correlation coefficients from 0.47 to 0.82) and acceptable construct validity (intra-class correlation coefficients from 0.48 to 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence about the measurement properties of PBUs for the assessment of TrA activity is mainly based on studies with suboptimal designs, and the findings from these studies are likely to be overly optimistic. The most important clinical questions about the measurement properties of PBUs for the assessment of TrA activity are yet to be answered.

Physiotherapy. 2011 Jun;97(2):100-6. Epub 2010 Oct 23. de Paula Lima PO, de Oliveira RR, Costa LO, Laurentino GE. Masters Programme in Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil. pedrofisioterapia@hotmail.com

Abstract Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus are increasing to epidemic proportions globally. There are 400 million clinically obese adults worldwide and there are more than 220 million people who have diabetes. The global impact of these disorders is immense in terms of human suffering and economic burden. There is an urgent need for a more effective understanding of these disease processes and their management, including the use of natural strategies that are affordable and efficacious. The health care system known as Ayurveda has much to offer in this regard. Ayurveda describes a set of complex clinical disorders, collectively called Prameha, that are characterized by frequent abnormal micturition. The clinical conditions associated with Prameha correlate in many ways with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. The etiology, classification, pathogenesis, and management of Prameha are discussed at length and in detail in the Ayurvedic texts. The theoretical background and comprehensive set of strategies Ayurveda utilizes to treat Prameha may be valuable in managing obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus in an efficacious and cost-effective manner.

J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Jun;17(6):549-52. Sharma H, Chandola HM. 1 Center for Integrative Medicine and Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University , Columbus, OH.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of aroma massage on constipation in advanced cancer patients. METHODS: This study employed a randomized control group pre- and post test design and included an aroma massage group, plain massage group, and control group. To evaluate the effect of aromatherapy, the degree of constipation was measured using a constipation assessment scale, severity level of constipation and the frequency of bowel movements. Data was analyzed by repeated measures of Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test, Spearman's rho and ANOVA using SPSS program. RESULTS: The score of the constipation assessment scale of the aroma massage group was significantly lower than the control group. Apart from the improvement in bowel movements, the results showed significantly improved quality of life in physical and support domains of the aroma massage group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest aroma massage can help to relieve constipation in patients with advanced cancer.

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):37-43. Epub 2010 Jun 12. Lai TK, Cheung MC, Lo CK, Ng KL, Fung YH, Tong M, Yau CC. Department of Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, 2-10 Princess Margaret Hospital Road, Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong, China. laitk@ha.org.hk

Richard MacKenzie decided as a young man that his life would be committed to helping others. Through his practice in Oxfordshire UK and his powerful range of self-help products, Richard MacKenzie has helped thousands of people worldwide to realise their potential and achieve their goals. Richard MacKenzie's success spreads far and wide in the world of Personal Development and Hypnotherapy, and he ensures his clients are advantaged by his vast wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of Self-Change and personal development. Richard gained much public exposure with the release of his book, SELF-CHANGE Hypnosis which is a complete guide to Self Hypnosis.

Over and over again, he has personally helped many people in top and influential positions to realize their potential and to reach for even greater goals! Richard's work regularly takes him to all parts of Europe; however he never tires as long as he sees his profession and his clients developing.

For more information visit: www.RichardMackenzie.co.uk.

by Joyce-Anne Locking

Nature has a way of renewing our faith in survival. If every tree, plant and flower follows its own season, our own special work surely has a season of its own too. When we learn to trust in our natural abilities, we begin to treat ourselves more gently. We become kinder to ourselves and others. This compassion is one of the first fruits of aligning our creativity with its source, says creativity thinker, Julia Cameron. When we adjust our thinking and place our dependency on the source itself, the source meets our needs through people, places and things, she says. One of the central tasks of creative recovery is learning to accept this generosity. In other words, our faith in our abilities will win out so long as we trust and believe in what we do. It all sounds so simple. Like an equation, if we follow the steps, we achieve the proper outcome. We are all equally connected to a spiritual source, continues well-known arts writer, Julia Cameron. We do not always know which among us will teach us best. We are all meant to cherish and serve one another. Expect the universe to support your dream. It will. It all comes down to what we believe.

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The terms 'placebo' and 'placebo effects' cause confusion among patients, practitioners and scientists. This confusion results in both the adoption of practices that have no evidence of specificity yet considerable risk (such as surgery for low back pain) or the elimination of clinical practices proven to facilitate healing because they are not 'better than placebo' (such as acupuncture for low back pain). In this article, I discuss these issues and introduce the concept of optimal healing environment as a framework for disentangling what is useful from placebo research for adopting into clinical practice in a manner that is ethical and evidence-based.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2011 Jun 27;366(1572):1896-904. Jonas WB. Samueli Institute, 1737 King Street, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA.

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging can be used to feed back signal changes from the brain to participants such that they can train to modulate activation levels in specific brain areas. Here we present the first study combining up-regulation of brain areas for positive emotions with psychometric measures to assess the effect of successful self-regulation on subsequent mood. We localized brain areas associated with positive emotions through presentation of standardized pictures with positive valence. Participants up-regulated activation levels in their target area during specific periods, alternating with rest. Participants attained reliable self-control of the target area by the last of three seven-minute runs. This training effect was supported by an extensive network outside the targeted brain region, including higher sensory areas, paralimbic and orbitofrontal cortex. Self-control of emotion areas was not accompanied by clear changes in self-reported emotions; trend-level improvements on depression scores were counteracted by increases on measures of fatigue, resulting in no overall mood improvement. It is possible that benefits of self-control of emotion networks may only appear in people who display abnormal emotional homeostasis. The use of only a single, short, training session, overlap between positive and negative emotion networks and aversive reactions to the scanning environment may have prevented the detection of subtle changes in mood.

Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci. 2011 Mar;11(1):44-51. Johnston S, Linden DE, Healy D, Goebel R, Habes I, Boehm SG. School of Social Sciences, Psychology Department, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK. Stephen.Johnston@brunel.ac.uk

Prurigo Nodularis (PN) is a chronic pruritic skin condition for which current conventional therapies are of limited benefit and with potentially toxic effects. Acupuncture--the insertion of thin needles at specific points on the skin--has been shown to alleviate itching through a number of itch-associated mediator effects. Hypnosis has been shown to modify and reduce the intensity of itching as well. A 44 year-old woman presented with a 30-year history of a diffuse itchy rash diagnosed as PN. She had tried various antihistamine and corticosteroid medications, to no avail. A treatment regimen using hypnosis and acupuncture (hypnopuncture) was initiated, with significant reduction in the itching, size and number of skin lesions. Hypnopuncture may offer a synergistic and augmented response to treatment, though further research is needed to understand the true benefits of this combined regimen.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2011 Apr;53(4):283-92. Samuels N, Sagi E, Singer SR, Oberbaum M. Center for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, P.O.B. 3235, Jerusalem 91031, Israel. refplus@netvision.net.il

Anthony F. De Marco, L.L.B., A.C.H., is a graduate of Seton Hall University and Law School. He was the Post Legal Advisor in Bamberg, Germany during his service with the U.S. Army, and thereafter maintained a private law practice for over 25 years. He is currently an Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, Co-Founder of the Academy of Professional Hypnosis, and approved by the Department of Education of the State of New Jersey. He is the Secretary to the New Jersey Chapter of the International Association of Counselors and Therapists; Secretary to the National Association of Certified Hypnotherapists and member of the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York. Mr. De Marco specializes in the treatment of addictions with a strong focus on compulsive gambling, is a 1-800-GAMBLER Helpline volunteer, and presents addiction seminars and workshops throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Recent research has highlighted the importance of traditional methods of healing in relation to the treatment of psychological distress in non-Western populations. This pilot study, conducted in Massachusetts, investigates what Buddhist Cambodian monks consider to be the causes, phenomenology and appropriate intervention strategies for anger among Cambodian refugees. Six monks were interviewed at four major temples in Massachusetts. Findings suggested that anger was common in the Cambodian community, was frequently triggered by marital discord, and commonly resulted in verbal and physical violence and, sometimes, suicidality. Buddhist-based anger management strategies identified as useful by the monks included education about Buddhist doctrines, mindfulness meditation practices, and the use of herbal medication and holy water. These anger regulation strategies and treatments are discussed in the context of Buddhist beliefs and Western psychological interventions.

Cult Med Psychiatry. 2011 Jun 1. Nickerson A, Hinton DE. Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, One Bowdoin Square, 6th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA, anickerson@psy.unsw.edu.au.

A Book Review by Judith E. Pearson, PhD

Dabney Ewin, a physician and hypnotherapist, intended 101 Things I Wish I/D Known When I Started Using Hypnosis to be a small, simple book: easy to read and understand. And it is. Ewin is a Clinical Professor of Surgery and Psychiatry at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. With a strong affinity for psychosomatic medicine, he began teaching and using medical hypnosis in 1970. Today he is a leading expert in medical hypnotherapy. His book is a compilation of observations for practitioners.

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Placebo analgesic effects appear to be related to patients' perception of the therapeutic intervention. In this paper, we review quantitative findings of how the relationship with the physician and the verbal suggestions given for relief may influence patients' perception of a treatment and how patients' expectations and emotional feelings may affect treatment outcome. We also present qualitative data from interviews with patients who have experienced pain relief following a placebo or an active treatment. A special focus is given to the temporal development of placebo analgesia at psychological and neurophysiological levels. Finally, we discuss the extent to which the quantitative and qualitative findings supplement or contrast with each other, and we touch upon possible implications of patients' direct experience as central for placebo analgesia.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2011 Jun 27;366(1572):1913-21. Vase L, Nørskov KN, Petersen GL, Price DD. Department of Psychology, Aarhus University, , Jens Christian Skous Vej 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Full title: Double-blind, randomized, controlled, pilot study comparing classic ayurvedic medicine, methotrexate, and their combination in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: : To compare classic Ayurveda, methotrexate (MTX), and their combination in a double-blind, randomized, double-dummy, pilot trial in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 36 weeks. METHODS: : Forty-three seropositive RA patients by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria with disease duration of less than 7 years were assigned to the following treatment groups: MTX plus Ayurvedic placebo (n = 14), Ayurveda plus MTX placebo (n = 12), or Ayurveda plus MTX (n = 17). Outcomes included the Disease Activity Score (DAS28-CRP), ACR20/50/70, and Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index. All measures were obtained every 12 weeks for 36 weeks. Analyses included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, ?, or Student t test. The unique features of this study included the development of placebos for each Ayurvedic pharmacological dosage form and individualization of Ayurvedic therapy. RESULTS: : All groups were comparable at baseline in demographics and disease characteristics. There were no statistically significant differences among the 3 groups on the efficacy measures. ACR20 results were MTX 86%, Ayurveda 100%, and combination 82%, and DAS28-CRP response were MTX -2.4, Ayurveda -1.7, and combination -2.4. Differences in adverse events among groups were also not statistically significant, although the MTX groups experienced more adverse event (MTX 174, Ayurveda 112, combination 176). No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: : In this first-ever, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study comparing Ayurveda, MTX, and their combination, all 3 treatments were approximately equivalent in efficacy, within the limits of a pilot study. Adverse events were numerically fewer in the Ayurveda-only group. This study demonstrates that double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized studies are possible when testing individualized classic Ayurvedic versus allopathic treatment in ways acceptable to western standards and to Ayurvedic physicians. It also justifies the need for larger studies.

J Clin Rheumatol. 2011 Jun;17(4):185-92. Furst DE, Venkatraman MM, McGann M, Manohar PR, Booth-Laforce C, Sarin R, Sekar PG, Raveendran KG, Mahapatra A, Gopinath J, Kumar PR. From the *Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA; †University of Washington, Seattle, WA; ‡Ayurvedic Trust, Coimbatore, India; and §Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Full title: Attitudes of clinicians at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College towards the chiropractic management of non-musculoskeletal conditions.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of clinical faculty during the 2009-2010 academic year at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College towards the treatment of various non-musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: A confidential survey was distributed to the clinical faculty via email. It consisted of several questions polling the demographic of the respondent such as years in clinical practice, and a list of 29 non-musculoskeletal conditions. Clinicians were asked to indicate their opinions on each condition on rating scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. RESULTS: Twenty of 22 clinicians responded. The conditions garnering the greatest positive ratings include: asthma, constipation, chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, infantile colic, and vertigo. The options regarding vertigo and asthma, while demonstrating an overall positive attitude towards the benefits of chiropractic care, were stratified amongst clinicians with varying years in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: This study suggests clinicians at this college are moderately open towards the chiropractic treatment of some non-musculoskeletal disorders.

J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2011 Jun;55(2):107-19. Parkinson J, Lau J, Kalirah S, Gleberzon BJ. Professor and Chair, Department of Applied Chiropractic, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie St. Toronto, ON M2H 3J1, E-mail: bgleberzon@cmcc.ca.