Peter Mabbutt is CEO and Director of Studies at the London College of Clinical Hypnosis. He is also a fellow of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis and of the British Association of Medical Hypnosis. Between 2009 and 2010 he co-wrote the hugely successful Hypnotherapy for Dummies, Self-Hypnosis for Dummies and Personal Development All In One for Dummies. He is also Literary Editor for the European Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Peter heads a team that is developing clinical placements for hypnotherapists in various hospital departments throughout the UK, Malaysia and Singapore. He trains hypnotherapy students to Masters degree level and regularly runs workshops for medical and hypnotherapy professionals around the world.

For more information visit: petermabbutt.com.

by Tim Brunson, PhD

Few concepts garner as much misunderstanding, confusion, and fear as the word hypnosis. Novelists and screenwriters perpetuate these myths as they continually portray hypnotic acts as those done by sinister men who suddenly override the common sense and moral trepidations of unwitting victims. Even respectable professional book publishers regularly contract clinical authors who spice up their work by off-handedly referring to hypnosis or otherwise reinforcing the popular – and scientifically unfounded – clichés that are so popular among psychologists and medical professionals. All the while, they serve more to mislead their colleagues than to enlighten them. Additionally, well-established trade and professional organizations regularly certify their members despite the fact that little – if any – of their educational curriculum reflects the relevant impact of recent scientific revelations.

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by Annie Brunson

A few years ago I twisted my knee and tore my meniscus. After months of pain I finally submitted to surgery. Since then I've read that surgery is no more effective than physical therapy in the long run. But it was the pain that drove me under the knife.

If I'd known then what I know now about EFT/Tapping's incredible ability to heal pain I wouldn't have spent hundreds (my deductible only – the actual operation cost our insurance thousands of dollars) on a barbaric way to heal an injury.

Physical pain affects all of us. The lucky ones just have an occasional headache, smashed thumb or skinned knees. Others have lives that are totally ruled by pain – affecting how they live life. Are you someone who grapples with debilitating pain every day of your life?

What if you could get rid of pain without the scary and addictive side effects of pain pills or monthly trips for steroid shots? This is not just a rhetorical question. Using EFT/Tapping, people are experiencing incredible breakthroughs in releasing pain. In some cases, pain that has been with them for years and years.

So imagine – what would your life be like without overwhelming pain? Whether it's Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Migraines, back pain, neck pain, headaches, knee pain or anything else that's bothering you physically.

On October 3, tune into a FREE 6 day online event hosted by The Tapping Solution focusing exclusively on alleviating and diminishing pain. Experts will lead you through actual tapping exercises so that you can experience the power of this incredible technique. Although I'm in great health right now, I'm tuning in to learn more because you never know what life may throw your way...

Sign up today and look forward to relief!

Full Title: Between psychology and pedagogy: "moral orthopedics" and case studies of children in fin-de-siècle French medicine.

In the latter decades of the 19th century, European physicians debated a controversial practice that mixed placebos with suggestion therapy to treat children diagnosed with neurotic disorders and behavioral problems. Designed to optimize suggestibility in juvenile patients, this "moral orthopedics" offered parents and therapists the message that children could be saved from becoming victims of their own personalities, of familial neuroses, or even of public health problems. Case studies, published in medical journals and books, circulated accounts of innovative strategies to treat childhood hysteria and to change habits that were considered destructive. Moral orthopedics actualized the insight that suggestibility could be therapeutically productive for juvenile subjects. However, because its adherents sought to manipulate patients' behavior and health by influencing unconscious thought, moral orthopedics provoked questions of expertise and disciplinary propriety among domains of medicine, law, and philosophy. This article reconstructs the controversy surrounding moral orthopedics by examining case studies. I argue that adherents of moral orthopedics did overcome philosophical objections raised against the method, and that they did so through what physician Edgar B6rillon referred to as "education of the will."

Hist Psychol. 2011 Feb;14(1):26-52. Rose AC. Department of History, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USA. crestienne@gmail.com

Tapas Fleming began her passionate search for truth at age 15. For many years her focus was on enlightenment, interpersonal relating and emotional release. In 1974, Tapas was initiated into natural meditation, a yoga-meditation for purification and liberation. After losing premature twins and coming close to dying herself, she went to school to learn acupuncture and focus on her own healing. In 1994, Tapas came up with a new simple and elegant way to serve her patients-Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT). She is a leading force in the emerging field of energy psychology. Tapas lives in Redondo Beach, California where she has a private practice and travels worldwide to give TAT trainings.

www.TATLife.com

John R. Cross has been a physical therapist for 40 years and an acupuncturist for 35 - also trained in homoeopathy, cranio-sacral therapy, reflexology and all types of bodywork. He has taught all over the world, especially the chakra system of healing and acupressure. He has written 6 books, also produced 2 clinical posters. His latest two books are The Concise book of Acupoints and Reflected Energy Pathways. The latter book shows over 70 areas of the body where the whole is reflected - ideal for the reflexologist or physical therapist wanting to use the body's reflexes.

For more information visit: www.JohnCrossClinics.com.

CONTEXT: Neurofeedback represents an exciting complementary option in the treatment of depression that builds upon a huge body of research on electroencephalographic correlates of depression. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this article are threefold: review the literature on neurofeedback protocols for depression; introduce a new protocol, which aims to synthesize the best qualities of the currently available protocols; and present the results of a small clinical experiment with the new protocol. METHOD: Structured survey of the literature; software development; clinical trial with one subject, submitted to ten sessions of neurofeedback (one hour each). RESULTS: Currently there are twenty-one articles in neurofeedback for depression, among which only six present original experimental results. All of them report positive results with the technique. The most used protocols focus on Alpha inter-hemispheric asymmetry, and Theta/Beta ratio within the left prefrontal cortex. Our new protocol integrates both dimensions in a single circuit, adding to it a third programming line, which divides Beta frequencies and reinforces the decrease of Beta-3, in order to reduce anxiety. The favorable outcome of our clinical experiment, suggests that new research with this protocol is worthwhile.

Span J Psychol. 2011 May;14(1):374-84. Dias AM, van Deusen A. Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil. alvaromd@usp.br

A book review by Tim Brunson, PhD

Seemingly forever medical science has been searching for a magical cure for cancer. This non-communicable, often deadly disease is indeed one of the most feared in modern times. Furthermore, traditional treatment, which is designed to remove cancerous cells, leaves the patient less capable of warding off future recurrences. Add to this the fact that approaches to many childhood diseases may in fact greatly increase the probability of cancer occurring later in life.

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Mike Bryant is a qualified and experienced counsellor with over 20 years experience in the UK and USA. His clients come from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups. He has provided workshops and supervision at Re-Vision and has previously lectured and run Masterclasses at LCCH. He is a Full Member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the British Association of Counselling.

For more information visit: www.MikeBryant-Hypnotherapy.co.uk.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety during pregnancy is a common problem. Anxiety and stress could have consequences on the course of the pregnancy and the later development of the child. Anxiety responds well to treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication. Non-pharmacological interventions such as mind-body interventions, known to decrease anxiety in several clinical situations, might be offered for treating and preventing anxiety during pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits of mind-body interventions during pregnancy in preventing or treating women's anxiety and in influencing perinatal outcomes. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 November 2010), MEDLINE (1950 to 30 November 2010), EMBASE (1974 to 30 November 2010), the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) (1 December 2010), ClinicalTrials.gov (December 2010) and Current Controlled Trials (1 December 2010), searched the reference lists of selected studies and contacted professionals and authors in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials, involving pregnant women of any age at any time from conception to one month after birth, comparing mind-body interventions with a control group. Mind-body interventions include: autogenic training, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, imagery, meditation, prayer, auto-suggestion, tai-chi and yoga. Control group includes: standard care, other pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions, other types of mind-body interventions or no treatment at all. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion all assessed risk of bias for each included study. We extracted data independently using an agreed form and checked it for accuracy. MAIN RESULTS: We included eight trials (556 participants), evaluating hypnotherapy (one trial), imagery (five trials), autogenic training (one trial) and yoga (one trial). Due to the small number of studies per intervention and to the diversity of outcome measurements, we performed no meta-analysis, and have reported results individually for each study. Compared with usual care, in one study (133 women), imagery may have a positive effect on anxiety during labor decreasing anxiety at the early and middle stages of labor (MD -1.46; 95% CI -2.43 to -0.49; one study, 133 women) and (MD -1.24; 95% CI -2.18 to -0.30). Another study showed that imagery had a positive effect on anxiety and depression in the immediate postpartum period. Autogenic training might be effective for decreasing women's anxiety before delivering. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Mind-body interventions might benefit women's anxiety during pregnancy. Based on individual studies, there is some but no strong evidence for the effectiveness of mind-body interventions for the management of anxiety during pregnancy. The main limitations of the studies were the lack of blinding and insufficient details on the methods used for randomization.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Jul 6;(7):CD007559. Marc I, Toureche N, Ernst E, Hodnett ED, Blanchet C, Dodin S, Njoya MM. Département de pédiatrie, Université Laval, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, 2705 boulevard Laurier, Québec, Québec, Canada, G1V 4G2.

Full title: Subjective Well-being in Patients With Chronic Tension-type Headache: Effect of Acupuncture, Physical Training, and Relaxation Training.

BACKGROUND: Episodic tension-type headache is a common problem affecting approximately 2 of 3 of the population. The origin of tension-type headache is multifactorial, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. In some individuals episodic tension-type headache transforms into chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). Subjective symptoms related to the central nervous system might affect patients subjective well-being and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study compared 3 nonpharmacologic treatments; acupuncture, relaxation training, and physical training on subjective well-being in patients with CTTH. METHODS: Ninety consecutive patients with CTTH were randomly allocated to acupuncture, relaxation training, or physical training. At baseline 88 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls were compared with the patients with CTTH. Subjective, central nervous system-related symptoms that might affect patients' subjective well-being and quality of life were assessed with the Minor Symptom Evaluation Profile, which contains 24 self-administered standardized items with visual analog scale responses. Fifteen items are categorized into 3 dimensions: contentment, vitality, and sleep. Assessments were made before treatment, immediately after, and 3 and 6 months after the last treatment. RESULTS: Baseline values of the total score of the 24 items and the 3 dimensions were generally lower in patients with tension-type headache compared with the reference group. No significant differences were found among the 3 treatment groups during the baseline period. All treatments proportionally improved the subjective, central nervous system-related symptoms in patients with CTTH. The 3-month follow-up, the total score of the Minor Symptom Evaluation Profile was significantly improved in the physical training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.036). Total mean over period was also highest in the physical training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.025). The vitality and sleep dimension was significantly improved at the 6-month follow-up in the relaxation training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Physical training and relaxation training seem to be preferable nonpharmacologic treatments for improvement of central nervous system-related symptoms and subjective well-being for patients with CTTH.

Clin J Pain. 2011 Jun;27(5):448-56. Söderberg EI, Carlsson JY, Stener-Victorin E, Dahlöf C. Departments of *Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy †Physiology/Endocrinology ‡Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg §Gothenburg Migraine Clinic, Göteborg, Sweden.

(Editor's Note: The author's of this article fail to substantiate their statements regarding the ineffectiveness of the techniques demonstrated in the referenced videos. It is surprising that this article survived the proper peer-review and was accepted by Substance Use & Abuse. My concern about the accuracy of the article does not imply that additional documentation regarding case studies and the need for more peer-reviewed scientific articles regarding the use of hypnosis for smoking cessation.)

This study examines smoking cessation content posted on youtube.com. The search terms "quit smoking" and "stop smoking" yielded 2,250 videos in October 2007. We examined the top 100 as well as 20 randomly selected videos. Of these, 82 were directly relevant to smoking cessation. Fifty-one were commercial productions that included antismoking messages and advertisements for hypnosis and NicoBloc fluid. Thirty-one were personally produced videos that described personal experiences with quitting, negative health effects, and advice on how to quit. Although smoking cessation content is being shared on YouTube, very little is based on strategies that have been shown to be effective.

Subst Use Misuse. 2011;46(7):893-7. Richardson CG, Vettese L, Sussman S, Small SP, Selby P. School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. chris.richardson@ubc.ca

Full title: Activation of the anterior prefrontal cortex and serotonergic system is associated with improvements in mood and EEG changes induced by Zen meditation practice in novices.

To gain insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in Zen meditation, we evaluated the effects of focused attention (FA) on breathing movements in the lower abdomen (Tanden) in novices. We investigated hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an attention-related brain region, using 24-channel near-infrared spectroscopy during a 20-minute session of FA on Tanden breathing in 15 healthy volunteers. We found that the level of oxygenated hemoglobin in the anterior PFC was significantly increased during FA on Tanden breathing, accompanied by a reduction in feelings of negative mood compared to before the meditation session. Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed increased alpha band activity and decreased theta band activity during and after FA on Tanden breathing. EEG changes were correlated with a significant increase in whole blood serotonin (5-HT) levels. These results suggest that activation of the anterior PFC and 5-HT system may be responsible for the improvement of negative mood and EEG signal changes observed during FA on Tanden breathing.

Int J Psychophysiol. 2011 May;80(2):103-11. Epub 2011 Feb 17. Yu X, Fumoto M, Nakatani Y, Sekiyama T, Kikuchi H, Seki Y, Sato-Suzuki I, Arita H. Department of Physiology, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Full title: Effects of heart rate variability biofeedback in subjects with stress-related chronic neck pain: a pilot study.

Recent studies focusing on autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunctions, together with theoretical pathophysiological models of musculoskeletal disorders, indicate the involvement of ANS regulation in development and maintenance of chronic muscle pain. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback (BF) in increasing HRV and reducing the symptoms of different disorders characterized by ANS aberration. The study investigated the effects of resonance frequency HRV BF on autonomic regulation and perceived health, pain, stress and disability in 24 subjects with stress-related chronic neck-shoulder pain. Twelve subjects participated in 10 weekly sessions of resonant HRV BF and were compared to a control group. Subjective reports and HRV measures during relaxation and in response to a standardized stress protocol were assessed for both groups pre- and post-intervention. Group × time interactions revealed a significantly stronger increase over time in perceived health (SF-36) for the treatment group, including vitality, bodily pain and social functioning. Interactions were also seen for HRV during relaxation and reactivity to stress. The present pilot study indicates improvement in perceived health over a 10 week intervention with HRV-biofeedback in subjects with chronic neck-pain. Increased resting HRV as well as enhanced reactivity to hand grip and cold pressor tests might reflect beneficial effects on ANS regulation, and suggest that this intervention protocol is suitable for a larger controlled trial.

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2011 Jun;36(2):71-80. Hallman DM, Olsson EM, von Schéele B, Melin L, Lyskov E. Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, SE-801 76, Gävle, Sweden, david.hallman@hig.se.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of music therapy on anxiety, postoperative pain and physiological reactions to emotional and physical distress in patients undergoing spinal surgery. BACKGROUND: Surgery-related anxiety and pain are the greatest concern of surgical patients, especially for those undergoing major procedures. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study design was conducted in a medical centre in Taiwan from April-July 2006. METHODS: Sixty patients were recruited. The study group listened to selected music from the evening before surgery to the second day after surgery. The control group did not listen to music. Patients' levels of anxiety and pain were measured with visual analogue scales (VAS). Physiological measures, including heart rate, blood pressure and 24-hour urinalysis, were performed. Results: The average age of the 60 patients was 62·18 (SD 18·76) years. The mean VAS score for degree of anxiety in the study group was 0·8-2·0, compared with 2·1-5·1 in the control group. The mean VAS score for degree of pain in the study group was 1·7-3·0, compared with 4·4-6·0 in the control group. The differences between the two groups in VAS scores for both anxiety (p = 0·018-0·001) and pain (p = 0·001) were statistically significant. One hour after surgery, the mean blood pressure was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (p = 0·014), but no significant differences were found between the two groups in urine cortisol (p = 0·145-0·495), norepinephrine (p = 0·228-0·626) or epinephrine values (p = 0·074-0·619). CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy has some positive effects on levels of anxiety and pain in patients undergoing spinal surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Complementary music therapy can alleviate pain and anxiety in patients before and after spinal surgery.

J Clin Nurs. 2011 Apr;20(7-8):960-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03452.x. Epub 2011 Feb 15. Lin PC, Lin ML, Huang LC, Hsu HC, Lin CC. School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. pclin02@gmail.com

Lynne M. Hoss received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Radford University in Virginia. She is the Energy Psychology Program Director for Innersource in Ashland, Oregon. She was the coordinator and primary counselor for EAP programs with businesses through the Hunterdon COudncil on Alconholism in New Jersey. She is contributing author to 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, and helps to bring the filed of Energy Psychology forward through articles, web pages, continuing education exams and more.

For more information, please visit: www.dreamlanguage.org

INCORRECT BELIEFS ABOUT THE PROPERTIES OF MEMORY HAVE BROAD IMPLICATIONS: The media conflate normal forgetting and inadvertent memory distortion with intentional deceit, juries issue verdicts based on flawed intuitions about the accuracy and confidence of testimony, and students misunderstand the role of memory in learning. We conducted a large representative telephone survey of the U.S. population to assess common beliefs about the properties of memory. Substantial numbers of respondents agreed with propositions that conflict with expert consensus: Amnesia results in the inability to remember one's own identity (83% of respondents agreed), unexpected objects generally grab attention (78%), memory works like a video camera (63%), memory can be enhanced through hypnosis (55%), memory is permanent (48%), and the testimony of a single confident eyewitness should be enough to convict a criminal defendant (37%). This discrepancy between popular belief and scientific consensus has implications from the classroom to the courtroom.

PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e22757. Simons DJ, Chabris CF. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011 Aug;31(6):1022-31. Epub 2011 Jun 23. Landolt AS, Milling LS. Department of Psychology, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, United States of America.

The Art of Hypnosis: Mastering Basic Techniques (Third Edition)
The Art of Hypnotherapy: Mastering Client-Centered Techniques (Fourth Edition)
Mastering the Power of Self Hypnosis: A Practical Guide to Self-Empowerment (Second Edition)

Reviewed by Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D.

Roy Hunter is well-known in hypnotherapy circles. He is a widely-read author and sought-after speaker who diligently continues the work and teaching of the late Charles Tebbetts, considered by many to be a grand master of hypnotherapy. Hunter is also a practicing hypnotherapist who, since 1987, has taught Diversified Client-Centered Hypnosis at Tacoma Community College in Washington. His books are required reading at schools of hypnosis around the world. He was inducted into the International Hypnosis Hall of Fame in 2000 and has received honors from national and international hypnotherapy organizations. With Crown House Publishing, he has recently released new editions of The Art of Hypnosis, The Art of Hypnotherapy, and Mastering the Power of Self-Hypnosis. Together, these three volumes form a comprehensive home-study course on hypnosis for both professional hypnotherapists and lay readers.

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A multitude of interventions is offered for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, only few have demonstrated scientific evidence, and even the evaluated methods need further examination of their mechanisms and scope. This article provides a brief summary of the premises and principles of successful psychobiosocial ASD intervention. ABA, TEACCH, PECS, social skills and cognitive training are described as examples for established approaches to ASD. Training of µ-suppression using neurofeedback and reanimation of the fusiform gyrus and amygdala using computer-aided facial affect recognition training are introduced as neurobiologically based ASD interventions.

Nervenarzt. 2011 May;82(5):590-596. Bölte S. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital (Q2:07), 17176, Stockholm, Schweden, sven.bolte@ki.se.

Shortly after graduating from UCLA in 1917, Max Freedom Long moved to the island of Hawaii to teach in elementary schools. When he arrived, he claimed that some Native Hawaiians were practicing what he called "magic." Long wrote that, at first, he was skeptical of this magic, but later became convinced that it worked. He devoted the rest of his life to creating theories about how the Native Hawaiians did what he claimed they did, and teaching those theories through the sale of books and newsletters.Long decided to call his compilation of teachings Huna, because one meaning of the word is "hidden secret." He wrote that he derived it from the word kahuna, which is a priest or master craftsman who ranked near the top of the social scale.Long founded an organization called the Huna Fellowship in 1945 and, starting in 1936, published a series of books on Huna, many of which are still in print.

For more information visit: www.MaxFreedomLong.com.

by Tim Brunson, PhD

The mystique, which surrounds the nature and practice of medicine, belies truthfulness in a way that reflects the vulgarity and ignorance of contemporary civilization. Indeed, the precision and accuracy with which a given society uses their linguistic intellect clearly demonstrates their stage of development. Unfortunately, how we address terms related to medicine and its practice too often involves pecuniary turf conflicts rather than focusing on the intended benefit to humanity. The role of hypnotherapy in medicine is but one example.

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Background: Sometimes pregnant women take it on themselves to hasten labor to alleviate the discomforts of pregnancy. This study sought to identify how frequently women attempt to induce labor through nonprescribed methods, and what factors are associated with the use of such methods. Methods: Surveys were distributed to postpartum women who had delivered at a Midwestern academic hospital. Women were asked what methods they had used to induce labor on their own, where they heard about these methods, and whether they had discussed it with their physician. Information about demographics and mode and timing of delivery was also collected. Results: Of the 201 women who responded, 99 (49.3%) did not try to induce labor themselves, whereas 102 (50.7%) used some type of nonprescribed method to induce labor. The most common method was walking (43.3%), followed by intercourse (22.9%), ingesting of spicy food (10.9%), and nipple stimulation (7.5%). Very few respondents used laxatives, heavy exercise, masturbation, acupuncture, or herbal preparations to induce labor. Women who used any nonprescribed method to induce labor were younger, had a lower parity, greater gestational age, and were more likely to have had a vaginal birth. Conclusions: A substantial portion of women used nonprescribed methods to induce labor, often without discussing them with a physician. Maternity caregivers may want to inquire about such issues, especially where interventions may do more harm than good. (BIRTH 38:2 June 2011).

Birth. 2011 Jun;38(2):168-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2010.00465.x. Epub 2011 Mar 10. Chaudhry Z, Fischer J, Schaffir J. Zaid Chaudhry is a Medical Student at the Ohio State University College of Medicine; Jane Fischer is Staff Nurse and Program Director at the Women & Infants' Program, Ohio State University Medical Center; and Jonathan Schaffir is Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.

Background: Dissociative identity disorder (DID) remains a controversial diagnosis due to conflicting views on its etiology. Some attribute DID to childhood trauma and others attribute it to iatrogenesis. The purpose of this article is to review the published cases of childhood DID in order to evaluate its scientific status, and to answer research questions related to the etiological models. Methods: I searched MEDLINE and PsycINFO records for studies published since 1980 on DID/multiple personality disorder in children. For each study I coded information regarding the origin of samples and diagnostic methods. Results: The review produced a total of 255 cases of childhood DID reported as individual case studies (44) or aggregated into empirical studies (211). Nearly all cases (93%) emerged from samples of children in treatment, and multiple personalities was the presenting problem in 23% of the case studies. Four US research groups accounted for 65% of all 255 cases. Diagnostic methods typically included clinical evaluation based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder criteria, but hypnosis, structured interviews, and multiple raters were rarely used in diagnoses. Conclusion: Despite continuing research on the related concepts of trauma and dissociation, childhood DID itself appears to be an extremely rare phenomenon that few researchers have studied in depth. Nearly all of the research that does exist on childhood DID is from the 1980s and 1990s and does not resolve the ongoing controversies surrounding the disorder.

Psychother Psychosom. 2011 Aug 5;80(6):329-334. Boysen GA. Department of Psychology, State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia, Fredonia, N.Y., USA.

The beneficial effects of mindful awareness and mindfulness meditation training on physical and psychological health are thought to be mediated in part through changes in underlying brain processes. Functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) allows identification of functional networks in the brain. It has been used to examine state-dependent activity and is well suited for studying states such as meditation. We applied fcMRI to determine if Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training is effective in altering intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs). Healthy women were randomly assigned to participate in an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training course or an 8-week waiting period. After 8 weeks, fMRI data (1.5T) was acquired while subjects rested with eyes closed, with the instruction to pay attention to the sounds of the scanner environment. Group independent component analysis was performed to investigate training-related changes in functional connectivity. Significant MBSR-related differences in functional connectivity were found mainly in auditory/salience and medial visual networks. Relative to findings in the control group, MBSR subjects showed (1) increased functional connectivity within auditory and visual networks, (2) increased functional connectivity between auditory cortex and areas associated with attentional and self-referential processes, (3) stronger anticorrelation between auditory and visual cortex, and (4) stronger anticorrelation between visual cortex and areas associated with attentional and self-referential processes. These findings suggest that 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation training alters intrinsic functional connectivity in ways that may reflect a more consistent attentional focus, enhanced sensory processing, and reflective awareness of sensory experience.

Neuroimage. 2011 May 1;56(1):290-8. Epub 2011 Feb 18. Kilpatrick LA, Suyenobu BY, Smith SR, Bueller JA, Goodman T, Creswell JD, Tillisch K, Mayer EA, Naliboff BD. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. lakilpatrick@mednet.ucla.edu

Previous researchers have studied meditation practices as a means to understand consciousness as well as altered states of consciousness. Various meditation techniques, such as Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Qigong, have been explored with source localization tools; however, the concentrative meditation technique has yet to be fully studied in this manner. The current study demonstrates findings, which outline differential activation in a self-referential default network during meditation in participants who espouse themselves as regular concentrative meditation practitioners, as well as comparisons with a control group practicing a modified version of the relaxation response. The results are compared with other putative experimental findings employing other meditation techniques, and the findings outlined in the current study are discussed with respect to changes in perceptual awareness often reported by meditators.

Cogn Process. 2011 May;12(2):141-50. Epub 2011 Feb 25. Lavallee CF, Hunter MD, Persinger MA. Psychology Department, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada. cx_lavallee@laurentian.ca

Full title: Exploring the effectiveness of a computer-based heart rate variability biofeedback program in reducing anxiety in college students.

Given the pervasiveness of stress and anxiety in our culture it is important to develop and implement interventions that can be easily utilized by large numbers of people that are readily available, inexpensive and have minimal side effects. Two studies explored the effectiveness of a computer-based heart rate variability biofeedback program on reducing anxiety and negative mood in college students. A pilot project (n = 9) of highly anxious students revealed sizable decreases in anxiety and negative mood following utilizing the program for 4 weeks. A second study (n = 35) employing an immediate versus delayed treatment design replicated the results, although the magnitude of the impact was not quite as strong. Despite observing decreases in anxiety, the expected changes in psychophysiological coherence were not observed.

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2011 Jun;36(2):101-12. Henriques G, Keffer S, Abrahamson C, Jeanne Horst S. Graduate Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA, henriqgx@jmu.edu.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among radiation oncology patients, the coping strategies that influenced this use, and the rates of disclosure of CAM use to their healthcare providers. METHODS: One hundred fifty-three patients undergoing radiation therapy for various neoplasms at rural cancer centers in Minnesota completed the Mayo Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Survey and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations questionnaires. Data regarding CAM use was also compared with provider consultation notes in the medical record at the onset of radiation therapy to determine rates of patient disclosure of CAM use to their healthcare providers. RESULTS: A total of 153 participants completed the study with 61.4% females and 38.6% males and a mean age of 64.9 years. The two most frequent diagnoses of participants were breast cancer (43.8%) and prostate cancer (22.9%). CAM use was reported in 95% of the participants and was categorized into three domains: treatments and techniques, vitamins, and herbs and supplements. The three most frequently reported treatments and techniques were spiritual healing/prayer (62.1%), exercise (19.6%), and music (17.6%). The top three most frequently used biologically based CAM therapies were multivitamins (48.1%), calcium (37.3%), and vitamin with minerals (21.5%). The most frequently used herbs and other dietary supplements were fish oil (19.0%), flaxseed (15.0%), glucosamine (15.0%), and green tea (15.0%). The most common reason cited for CAM treatments and techniques use was previous use (26.1%), for use of vitamins and minerals was recommendation by a physician (33.0%), and for use of herbs and other supplements was previous use (19.0%). One hundred twelve participants reported taking vitamins, minerals, or supplements, and 47% of those 112 did not disclose this use to their providers. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with previous research, our study found that the majority of cancer patients used CAM treatments. Spiritual healing/prayer was the most commonly reported, followed by multivitamins. Patients reported using CAM primarily due to previous use and physician recommendation. Unfortunately, disclosure of CAM use to healthcare providers was relatively low.

Support Care Cancer. 2011 Apr;19(4):521-9. Epub 2010 Mar 25. Rausch SM, Winegardner F, Kruk KM, Phatak V, Wahner-Roedler DL, Bauer B, Vincent A. Integrative Medicine, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA. Sarah.rausch@moffitt.org

Full title: The effect of music therapy on physiological signs of anxiety in patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate if relaxing music is an effective method of reducing the physiological signs of anxiety in patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support. BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on the effect of music on physiological signs of anxiety in patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support. DESIGN: A study-case-control, experimental repeated measures design was used. METHOD: Sixty patients aged 18-70 years, receiving mechanical ventilatory support and hospitalised in the intensive care unit, were taken as a convenience sample. Participants were randomised to a control group or intervention group, who received 60 minutes of music therapy. Classical music was played to patients using media player (MP3) and headphones. Subjects had physiological signs taken immediately before the intervention and at the 30th, 60th and 90th minutes of the intervention. Physiological signs of anxiety assessed in this study were mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation in blood measured by pulse oxymetry. Data were collected over eight months in 2006-2007. RESULTS: The music group had significantly lower respiratory rates, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, than the control group. This decrease improved progressively in the 30th, 60th and 90th minutes of the intervention, indicating a cumulative dose effect. CONCLUSION: Music can provide an effective method of reducing potentially harmful physiological responses arising from anxiety. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As indicated by the results of this study, music therapy can be supplied to allay anxiety in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Nurses may include music therapy in the routine care of patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

J Clin Nurs. 2011 Apr;20(7-8):1026-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03434.x. Epub 2011 Feb 16. Korhan EA, Khorshid L, Uyar M. Department of Fundamentals of Nursing, School of Nursing, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. akinesra80@hotmail.com

Peter Deadman is the editor and publisher of The Journal of Chinese Medicine and co-author of A Manual of Acupuncture, a textbook of acupuncture points. He has been a practitioner and teacher of Chinese medicine for over 25 years. Before taking up Chinese medicine he co-founded Infinity Foods (now a national natural foods retailer and wholesaler), Infinity Foods bakery & The Brighton Natural Health Centre - a charity devoted to teaching methods of self health care.

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

Full title: Neurofeedback in children with ADHD: specific event-related potential findings of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: In a randomized controlled trial, we could demonstrate clinical efficacy of neurofeedback (NF) training for children with ADHD (Gevensleben et al., 2009a). The present investigation aimed at learning more about the neuronal mechanisms of NF training. METHODS: Children with ADHD either completed a NF training or a computerized attention skills training (ratio 3:2). NF training consisted of one block of theta/beta training and one block of slow cortical potential (SCP) training, each comprising 18 training units. At three times (pre-training, between the two training blocks and at post-training), event-related potentials (ERP) were recorded during the Attention Network Test. ERP analysis focused on the P3, reflecting inter alia attentional resources for stimulus evaluation, and the contingent negative variation (CNV), primarily related to cognitive preparation. RESULTS: After NF training, an increase of the CNV in cue trials could be observed, which was specific for the SCP training. A larger pre-training CNV was associated with a larger reduction of ADHD symptomatology for SCP training. CONCLUSIONS: CNV effects reflect neuronal circuits underlying resource allocation during cognitive preparation. These distinct ERP effects are closely related to a successful NF training in children with ADHD. In future studies, neurophysiological recordings could help to optimize and individualize NF training. SIGNIFICANCE: The findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying NF training in children with ADHD.

Clin Neurophysiol. 2011 May;122(5):942-50. Epub 2010 Sep 16. Wangler S, Gevensleben H, Albrecht B, Studer P, Rothenberger A, Moll GH, Heinrich H. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6+10, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. Comment in Clin Neurophysiol. 2011 May;122(5):856-7.

Dr. Scott Haldeman is a Consulting Neurologist in Santa Ana, California who specializes in General Neurology and the non-surgical treatment of spinal disorders and headaches. In addition to headaches and spinal disorders, Dr. Haldeman also treats other forms of neck pain and back pain. He currently is a distinguished Professor at the University of California, the Chairman of the Research Council for the World Federation of Chiropractic and the President of World Spine Care.

For more information visit: www.Spine-Health.com.

Acupuncture has been used in numerous diseases and for many types of symptoms. It has been also used for obstetric complaints, such as nausea and vomiting, insomnia and low back and girdle pain. There has long been concern that some points-called forbidden-might harm pregnancy owing to a potential abortifacient effect, but it is difficult to confirm this proposition. The small number of available publications on this topic seems to show that this is not correct. Animal research examining possible harmful effects and a systematic review would be welcome to throw some light on this question.

Acupunct Med. 2011 Jun;29(2):135-6. Epub 2011 Mar 20. da Silva AV, Nakamura MU, da Silva JB. Rio Preto Medical College, Rua Pernambuco, 3147 Redentora, São José do Rio Preto,SP CEP 15015-770, Brazil; jbgsilva@hotmail.com.

Full title: Complementary medicine, self-help, and lifestyle interventions for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the OCD spectrum: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) current standard pharmacotherapies may be of limited efficacy. Non-conventional interventions such as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), self-help techniques, and lifestyle interventions are commonly used by sufferers of OCD, however to date no systematic review of this specific area exists. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of studies using CAM, self-help, and lifestyle interventions for treatment of OCD and trichotillomania (TTM). PubMed, PsycINFO, China Academic Journals Full-text Database, The Cochrane Library and CINAHL were searched (up to Jan 11th 2011), for controlled clinical trials using non-conventional interventions for OCD. A quality analysis using a purpose-designed scale and an estimation of effect sizes (Cohen's d) where data was available, were also calculated. RESULTS: The literature search revealed 14 studies that met inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of nutraceutical studies (nutrients and herbal medicines) were rated as high (mean 8.6/10), whereas mind-body or self-help studies were poorer (mean 6.1/10). In OCD, tentative evidentiary support from methodologically weak studies was found for mindfulness meditation (d=0.63), electroacupuncture (d=1.16), and kundalini yoga (d=1.61). Better designed studies using the nutrient glycine (d=1.10), and traditional herbal medicines milk thistle (insufficient data for calculating d) and borage (d=1.67) also revealed positive results. A rigorous study showed that N-acetylcysteine (d=1.31) was effective in TTM, while self-help technique "movement decoupling" also demonstrated efficacy (d=0.94). Mixed evidence was found for myo-inositol (mean d=0.98). Controlled studies suggest that St John's wort, EPA, and meridian-tapping are ineffective in treating OCD. CONCLUSIONS: While several studies were positive, these were un-replicated and commonly used small samples. This precludes firm confidence in the strength of clinical effect. Preliminary evidence however is encouraging, and more rigorous research of some of the more hypothesis-based interventions in the treatment of OCD and TTM may be indicated.

J Affect Disord. 2011 May 25. Sarris J, Camfield D, Berk M. The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Australia; Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Australia.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 33: 1245-1251 SUMMARY: Background Anorectal biofeedback therapy (BFT) is a safe and effective treatment in patients with constipation. Given the high prevalence of constipation and therefore high demand for BFT, there is a need to prioritise patients. Aims To explore clinical features and anorectal physiology which predict success or failure of BFT and to derive a statistical model which helps to predict the success of BFT. Methods A total of 102 patients with constipation referred for BFT were evaluated. All patients underwent comprehensive clinical and anorectal function assessment, including balloon expulsion testing. The BFT protocol consisted of a comprehensive 6-weekly visit programme comprising instruction on toilet behaviour and abdominal breathing, achieving adequate rectal pressure and anal relaxation, and balloon expulsion and rectal sensory retraining. Success of BFT was based on an improvement in global bowel satisfaction. Results Harder stool consistency (P = 0.009), greater willingness to participate (P < 0.001), higher resting anal sphincter pressure (P = 0.04) and prolonged balloon expulsion time (P = 0.02) correlated with an improvement in bowel satisfaction score. A longer duration of laxative use (P = 0.049) correlated with no improvement in bowel satisfaction score. Harder stools, shorter duration of laxative use, higher straining rectal pressure and prolonged balloon expulsion independently predicted successful BFT. A model (, where ß represents a regression coefficient, X is a given predictive variable and S(i) is the weighted index score for each individual) incorporating these four variables enabled prediction of successful BFT, with sensitivity and specificity of 0.79 and 0.81, respectively. Conclusions Important clinical and anorectal physiological features were found to be associated with outcome of anorectal biofeedback therapy in patients with constipation. This information and the predictive model will assist clinicians to prioritise patients for anorectal biofeedback therapy.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Jun;33(11):1245-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04653.x. Epub 2011 Apr 6. Shim LS, Jones M, Prott GM, Morris LI, Kellow JE, Malcolm A. Gastrointestinal Investigation Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.

Full title: A randomised controlled trial of the effect of music therapy and verbal relaxation on chemotherapy-induced anxiety.

AIMS: To determine the effect of music therapy and verbal relaxation on state anxiety and anxiety-induced physiological manifestations among patients with cancer before and after chemotherapy. BACKGROUND: Cancer and its treatment provoke a series of changes in the emotional sphere of the patient's anxiety. Music therapy and verbal relaxation had reported the anxiety reduction effect on patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Few studies have been undertaken comparing music therapy and verbal relaxation in differentiating high-normal state anxiety subsample. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial and permuted block design were used. Outpatient chemotherapy clinic operated by a University medical centre in southern Taiwan. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients were randomised into three groups: the music therapy group received one-hour single music session; the verbal relaxation group received 30 minutes of guided relaxation; the control group received usual care. Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Instrument, Emotional Visual Analog Scale, three biobehavioural indicators: skin temperature, heart rate and consciousness level were measured during and after chemotherapy. RESULT: Music therapy had a greater positive effect on postchemotherapy anxiety than verbal relaxation and control groups and a significantly increase in skin temperature. Patients with high state anxiety receiving music therapy had a greater drop in postchemotherapy anxiety than did the normal state anxiety subsample. CONCLUSIONS: Both music and verbal relaxation therapy are effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced anxiety. Thirty minutes of intervention initiates anxiety reduction. Patients with high state anxiety receiving chemotherapy obtain the most benefit from music or verbal relaxation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Prior to chemotherapy, patients with high state anxiety must be sorted from all patients as they are more responsive to interventions. Oncology nurses can offer music and verbal relaxation as adjuvant interventions to reduce chemotherapy-induced anxiety and enhance the quality of care.

J Clin Nurs. 2011 Apr;20(7-8):988-99. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03525.x. Lin MF, Hsieh YJ, Hsu YY, Fetzer S, Hsu MC. Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.

Born in the U.K. and raised near Montreal, Brian was a journalist and broadcaster before joining a major international company. For much of his 30-year career he was involved in human resources, specifically training.

While living in the arctic, he studied Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and anthropology, which prepared him for working with other cultures. He was then transferred to China where he served as his company's General Manager.

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Acharya David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) is a unusual western born knowledge-holder in the Vedic tradition. He carries many special Vedic ways of knowledge (vidyas), which he passes on to students in India and in the West. In India, Vamadeva is recognized not only as a Vedacharya (Vedic teacher), but also as a Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor and teacher), Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer), Puranic (Vedic historian), a Hindu acharya (Hindu religious teacher) and a Raja Yogi. In India, Vamadeva's translations and interpretations of the ancient Vedic teachings have been given great acclaim in both spiritual and scholarly circles. In America he is known as a teacher and practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine and of Vedic astrology (Jyotish) and has done pioneering work on both these subjects in the West. Most recently the integration of Yoga and Ayurveda has come to the forefront of his work. Pandit Vamadeva (Dr. Frawley) presents authentic Vedic knowledge in the Western world and in a lucid presentation recognized by the tradition itself. He has worked extensively teaching, writing, lecturing, conducting research and helping establish schools and associations in related Vedic fields over the last thirty years. He has studied and traveled widely gathering knowledge, working with various Vedic teachers and groups in a non-sectarian manner. Vamadeva sees his role as helping to revive Vedic knowledge in an interdisciplinary approach for the planetary age. He sees himself as a teacher and translator to help empower people to use Vedic systems to enhance their lives and aid in their own Self-realization. He sees Vedic wisdom as a tool for liberation of the spirit, not as a dogma to bind people or to take power over them. For him, Vedic knowledge is a means of communing with the conscious universe and learning to embody it in our own life and perception. Though Vamadeva has worked in several different fields, he has endeavored to approach each of these with a great deal of specificity and precision, providing both the background philosophy and deeper practices. For a good overview of his work and background, it is best to examine his book Yoga and the Sacred Fire: Self-Healing and Planetary Transformation.

For more information visit: www.Vedanet.com.

Full title: Computer-Based Attention Training in the Schools for Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Preliminary Trial.

Objective. This study examined the efficacy of 2 computer-based training systems to teach children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to attend more effectively. Design/methods. A total of 41 children with ADHD from 2 middle schools were randomly assigned to receive 2 sessions a week at school of either neurofeedback (NF) or attention training through a standard computer format (SCF), either immediately or after a 6-month wait (waitlist control group). Parents, children, and teachers completed questionnaires pre- and postintervention. Results. Primary parents in the NF condition reported significant (P < .05) change on Conners's Rating Scales-Revised (CRS-R) and Behavior Assessment Scales for Children (BASC) subscales; and in the SCF condition, they reported significant (P < .05) change on the CRS-R Inattention scale and ADHD index, the BASC Attention Problems Scale, and on the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF). Conclusion. This randomized control trial provides preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of computer-based interventions for ADHD and supports the feasibility of offering them in a school setting.

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2011 May 10. Steiner NJ, Sheldrick RC, Gotthelf D, Perrin EC. Floating Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA.

John Cressman was born in Burgaw, North Carolina to John and Diane Cressman - to be the oldest of six children. He lived the first 10 years of his life a stone's throw from Carolina Beach before moving with his family to Pennsylvania. John has been a computer programmer, a network engineer, an artist, a martial arts instructor, a magician, a mentalist and a hypnotist. He is a graduate of the American School of Hypnosis and both a certified hypnotherapist and certified stage hypnotist. He has published multiple hypnotic iPhone applications under the name John Raven. He also sells a number of hypnotic resources for self-hypnosis to the general public, including self-hypnosis audio products for weight loss, insomnia and many others."

For more information visit: Mobile-Hypnotist.com.