The morbidity caused by postnatal depression is enormous. Several psychological or psychosocial interventions have appeared to be effective for treating the disorder although they have not shown a clear benefit in preventing the development of PND. As yet however, the effectiveness of hypnosis has not been evaluated in relation to this. To assess the effect of hypnosis for preventing postnatal depression compared with usual antenatal, intranatal, or postnatal care. We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 September 2011). Randomised controlled trials comparing hypnosis with usual antenatal, intranatal, or postnatal care, where the primary or secondary objective is to assess whether there is a reduced risk of developing postnatal depression. Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and assessed the one included study for risk of bias. The included study did not contribute any data for analysis. There was one included study (involving 63 women). However, as it did not include the outcomes of interest, no data were available for analysis for this review. There was no evidence available from randomised controlled trials to assess the effectiveness of hypnosis during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period for preventing postnatal depression. Evidence from randomised controlled trials is needed to evaluate the use and effects of hypnosis during the perinatal period to prevent postnatal depression. Two trials are currently underway which may provide further information in the future.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Jun 13;6:CD009062. Sado M, Ota E, Stickley A, Mori R. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. mitsusado@nifty.com.

Purpose: To provide an overview of developmental and medical benefits of music therapy for preterm infants.Design: Meta-analysis.Sample: Empirical music studies with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Main Outcome: Evidence-based NICU music therapy (NICU -MT ) was highly beneficial with an overall large significant effect size (Cohen's d = 0.82). Effects because of music were consistently in a positive direction.Results: Results of the current analysis replicated findings of a prior meta-analysis and included extended use of music.1 Benefits were greatest for live music therapy (MT ) and for use early in the infant's NICU stay (birth weight <1,000 g, birth postmenstrual age <28 weeks). Results justify strong consideration for the inclusion of the following evidence-based NICU -MT protocols in best practice standards for NICU treatment of preterm infants: music listening for pacification, music reinforcement of sucking, and music pacification as the basis for multilayered, multimodal stimulation.

Neonatal Netw. 2012 Sep 1;31(5):311-6. Standley J.

Auricular acupressure is widely used in complementary and alternative medicine to reduce body weight, but little is known about the effects of auricular acupressure on body weight parameters in patients with chronic schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure on body weight parameters in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Eighty-six inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited from chronic wards in a psychiatric center. The participants were randomly divided into experimental (acupressure at 4 acupuncture sites: hunger, stomach, shenmen and endocrine) and control groups, and body weight parameters were determined weekly for 8 weeks. There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in mean body weight, waist circumference, or body fat percentage at the pretest or during the entire 8-week study period. Therefore, auricular acupressure did not cause body weight reduction in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:151737. Epub 2012 Sep 10. Ching HY, Wu SL, Chen WC, Hsieh CL. Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan ; Department of Psychiatry, Tsao-Tun Psychiatric Center, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Nan-Tou 54249, Taiwan.

Ron Ball is a professional speaker, author and trainer. He is also the publisher of the book co-authored by 20 EFT experts, Freedom at Your Fingertips. In addition, he publishes a popular blog on EFT called the "EFTzone." He's a contributor for stress tips to "Business Week Online" and other publications.

Formerly a vice president of marketing in several high techonology companies, Ron sought out a breakthrough method to help employees handle the demands and stress of the world of hi-tech. In his quest, he discovered EFT and immediately understood its value and potential in the business world. Ron's company, Inroads LLC, specializes in teaching business executives, employees and other people how to learn EFT to relieve and manage stress.

As a member of ACEP, part of Ron's mission is to help bring a greater awareness of EFT and Energy Psychology to the general public.

For more information, please visit www.fayf.com or www.eftzone.com.

by Tim Brunson PhD

If you think you know what defines depth of hypnosis, you are most likely wrong. The current "wisdom" among hypno-experts is that reduction of brain waves or the ability to produce anesthesia is what hypnotic depth is all about. I'm going to strongly disagree. Being able to measure neural frequencies (e.g., detecting that a subject has moved from Beta, through Alpha and then to Theta) or finding that a medical or dental procedure can be performed without pain or discomfort may be a measure of depth and yet not really define it. Now, before my trusted friends and colleagues start complaining about me again splitting semantic hairs, let me explain.

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Full title: Sedating the apprehensive debilitated patients for dental procedures by combining parenteral sedation and hypnosis with supplemental acupuncture therapy.

Treating apprehensive debilitated patients (i.e. geriatric patients, patients with cardiac, pulmonary, kidney, or liver diseases, and those with other severe systemic conditions) for dental procedures can cause unexpected medical complications such as cardiac arrest, stroke, asthma or shock, etc. Due to diminishing functional capacities of their organs, sedating those patients with sedative drugs in normal regular dosage could increase the risk of adverse events for this group of patients and can also increase the risk of liability for the clinician. The authors treated 34 apprehensive dental patients with a combination technique using parenteral sedation and hypnosis together with acupuncture. We used Bi-Digital O-Ring Test (BDORT) to select the compatible sedative drugs and to individualize the dosage suitable to the patient's medical condition. Oftentimes, BDORT predetermined dosage amounts to a fraction of regular dosage that is normally recommended by manufacturer for regular healthy patients. Such a reduced dosage, though benign to patient, may be insufficient to render a patient to the sedation level for dental treatment. Nevertheless, hypnosis with acupuncture can be applied to potentiate the therapeutic effect of parenteral sedation, thereby reducing the amount of sedative agents required to alleviate patient anxiety. The results indicated that hypnosis with acupuncture and BDORT could effectively allow the reduction of the sedative dosage and may beneficially provide a safe and comfortable situation for the debilitated patients to receive the necessary treatment.

Acupunct Electrother Res. 2012;37(1):49-62. Lu DP, Wu PS, Lu WI. University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Full title: Effect of therapeutic touch on brain activation of preterm infants in response to sensory punctate stimulus: a near-infrared spectroscopy-based study.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether therapeutic touch in preterm infants can ameliorate their sensory punctate stimulus response in terms of brain activation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. The study included 10 preterm infants at 34-40 weeks' corrected age. Oxyhaemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentration, heart rate (HR), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) and body movements were recorded during low-intensity sensory punctate stimulation for 1 s with and without therapeutic touch by a neonatal development specialist nurse. Each stimulation was followed by a resting phase of 30 s. All measurements were performed with the infants asleep in the prone position. sensory punctate stimulus exposure significantly increased the oxy-Hb concentration but did not affect HR, SaO(2) and body movements. The infants receiving therapeutic touch had significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentrations over time. Therapeutic touch in preterm infants can ameliorate their sensory punctate stimulus response in terms of brain activation, indicated by increased cerebral oxygenation. Therefore, therapeutic touch may have a protective effect on the autoregulation of cerebral blood flow during sensory punctate stimulus in neonates.

Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2012 Jul 21. Honda N, Ohgi S, Wada N, Loo KK, Higashimoto Y, Fukuda K. 1Department of Rehabilitation, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama, Osaka, Japan.

Control algorithms for closed-loop insulin delivery in type 1 diabetes have been mainly based on control engineering or artificial intelligence techniques. These, however, are not based on the physiology of the pancreas but seek to implement engineering solutions to biology. Developments in mathematical models of the ß-cell physiology of the pancreas have described the glucose-induced insulin release from pancreatic ß cells at a molecular level. This has facilitated development of a new class of bio-inspired glucose control algorithms that replicate the functionality of the biological pancreas. However, technologies for sensing glucose levels and delivering insulin use the subcutaneous route, which is nonphysiological and introduces some challenges. In this article, a novel glucose controller is presented as part of a bio-inspired artificial pancreas. A mathematical model of ß-cell physiology was used as the core of the proposed controller. In order to deal with delays and lack of accuracy introduced by the subcutaneous route, insulin feedback and a gain scheduling strategy were employed. A United States Food and Drug Administration-accepted type 1 diabetes mellitus virtual population was used to validate the presented controller. Premeal and postmeal mean ± standard deviation blood glucose levels for the adult and adolescent populations were well within the target range set for the controller [(70, 180) mg/dl], with a percent time in range of 92.8 ± 7.3% for the adults and 83.5 ± 14% for the adolescents. This article shows for the first time very good glucose control in a virtual population with type 1 diabetes mellitus using a controller based on a subcellular ß-cell model.

J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2012 May 1;6(3):606-16. Herrero P, Georgiou P, Oliver N, Johnston DG, Toumazou C. Center for Bio-Inspired Technology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. pherrero@imperial.ac.uk

Full title: Complementary medicine, exercise, meditation, diet, and lifestyle modification for anxiety disorders: a review of current evidence.

Use of complementary medicines and therapies (CAM) and modification of lifestyle factors such as physical activity, exercise, and diet are being increasingly considered as potential therapeutic options for anxiety disorders. The objective of this metareview was to examine evidence across a broad range of CAM and lifestyle interventions in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In early 2012 we conducted a literature search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library, for key studies, systematic reviews, and metaanalyses in the area. Our paper found that in respect to treatment of generalized anxiety or specific disorders, CAM evidence revealed current support for the herbal medicine Kava. One isolated study shows benefit for naturopathic medicine, whereas acupuncture, yoga, and Tai chi have tentative supportive evidence, which is hampered by overall poor methodology. The breadth of evidence does not support homeopathy for treating anxiety. Strong support exists for lifestyle modifications including adoption of moderate exercise and mindfulness meditation, whereas dietary improvement, avoidance of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine offer encouraging preliminary data. In conclusion, certain lifestyle modifications and some CAMs may provide a beneficial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:809653. Epub 2012 Aug 27. Sarris J, Moylan S, Camfield DA, Pase MP, Mischoulon D, Berk M, Jacka FN, Schweitzer I. Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common source of patient discomfort and decreased satisfaction. Aromatherapy has been identified as a complementary modality for the prevention and management of PONV. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of aromatherapy on the severity of postoperative nausea (PON) in women undergoing surgical procedures in the postanesthesia care unit. Women complaining of PON received traditional antiemetics, inhalation of peppermint oil, or saline vapor. A visual analog scale was used to rate nausea at the first complaint; at 5 minutes after intervention; and, if nausea persisted, at 10 minutes after intervention. At both 5 and 10 minutes, statistical analysis showed no significant differences between intervention and nausea rating. Obtaining eligible subjects was challenging. Although many women consented, most received intraoperative antiemetics and did not report nausea postoperatively.

J Perianesth Nurs. 2012 Aug;27(4):246-51. Ferruggiari L, Ragione B, Rich ER, Lock K. Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11571, USA.

Anne Milligan is a holistic-oriented Licensed Clinical Social Work therapist in private practice in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also certified in Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy and Somatic Hypnotherapy.

Anne is a graphic artist, professional musician, master gardener and the creator of a number of healing workshops, including a nationally-distributed forum for family closure in Hospice entitled "In the Flow of Life."

For more information visit www.AnneMilligan.com

Speculations about the neural substrates of hypnosis have often focused on the right hemisphere (RH), implying that RH damage should impair hypnotic responsiveness more than left-hemisphere (LH) damage. The present study examined the performance of a patient who suffered a stroke destroying most of his LH, on slightly modified versions of two hypnotizability scales. This patient was at least modestly hypnotizable, as indicated in particular by the arm rigidity and age regression items, suggesting that hypnosis can be mediated by the RH alone - provided that the language capacities normally found in the LH remain available. A further study of 16 patients with unilateral strokes of the LH or RH found no substantial differences in hypnotizability between the two groups. Future neuropsychological studies of hypnosis might explore the dorsal/ventral or anterior/posterior dichotomies, with special emphasis on the role of prefrontal cortex.

Cortex. 2012 May 15. Kihlstrom JF, Glisky ML, McGovern S, Rapcsak SZ, Mennemeier MS. University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States.

Previous studies have already demonstrated that auditory stimulation with music influences the cardiovascular system. In this study, we described the relationship between musical auditory stimulation and heart rate variability. Searches were performed with the Medline, SciELO, Lilacs and Cochrane databases using the following keywords: "auditory stimulation", "autonomic nervous system", "music" and "heart rate variability". The selected studies indicated that there is a strong correlation between noise intensity and vagal-sympathetic balance. Additionally, it was reported that music therapy improved heart rate variability in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients. It was hypothesized that dopamine release in the striatal system induced by pleasurable songs is involved in cardiac autonomic regulation. Musical auditory stimulation influences heart rate variability through a neural mechanism that is not well understood. Further studies are necessary to develop new therapies to treat cardiovascular disorders.

Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012 Aug;67(8):955-8. Valenti VE, Guida HL, Frizzo AC, Cardoso AC, Vanderlei LC, Abreu LC. Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Marília, SP, Brazil.

Full title: Efficacy observation on osteoarthritis of the knee treated with the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points.

To compare the difference in the efficacy on osteoarthritis of the knee between the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points and the conventional acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. Sixty cases were randomly devided into an ultrastructural acupotomy therapy group (group A) and a conventional acupuncture-moxibustion group (group B), 30 cases in each one. In the group A, the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy was applied to the counter-Ashi points in which pain was alleviated or disappeared on pressure. The treatment was given once a week, lasting for 1 month. In the group B, the acupuncture-moxibustion therapy was applied to Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. The treatment was given once daily, lasting for 1 month. Before and after treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Lysholm knee joint scale and the affected knee joint flexion angle were observed in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. After treatment, the scores of VAS, Lysholm knee joint scale and the affected knee joint flexion angle were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment in either group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The results of them in the group A were superior apparently to those in the group B (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate in the group A was superior to that in the group B [80.0% (24/30) vs 60.0% (18/30), P < 0.05]. The ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points achieves the superior clinical efficacy on osteoarthritis of the knee as compared with the conventional acupuncture therapy. It relieves pain and improves the motion range of knee joint effectively. It is simple in operation and less in treatment frequency.

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2012 Jul;32(7):621-4. Liu MR, Li L, He ZW. Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of CM, Changsha 410007, China.

The effect of acupuncture on substance withdrawl syndromes and craving relapse prevention of the recent 10 years were reviewed as well as its mechanism. The therapeutic effect and the possible mechanism were analyzed on the basis. From the three aspects of anti protracted abstinence symptoms, craving relapse prevention and mechanism of acupuncture, the development tendency and the prospect of application on drug withdrawl with acupuncture were expected. And it is proposed that clinical observation of acupuncture intervention on craving should be developed, the mechanism of acupuncture impact on cognitive behavior, blocking study and memory processing related to drug addiction should be explored, so as to further give play to the advantages of acupuncture on anti-drug addiction.

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2012 Jul;32(7):669-72. Song XG, Lü H, Cai XH, Zhang RJ. Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Anhui University of CM, Hefei 230038, China. zsongxg0128@163.com

Philip Friedman is a licensed clinical psychologist/psychotherapist and Director of the Foundation of Well-Being in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Dr. Friedman was on the faculty of both Jefferson and Hahnemanhn Medical Schools in Philadelphia and is currently on the faculty of the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. He is a co-founder of Integrative Psychotherapy (IT) and founder of Pressure Point Therapy (PPT). his interests include published work on forgiveness, gratitude, beliefs, affect, stress, spirituality, energy and spiritual therapy, pressure point therapy, integrative healing, well-being and quality of life. He has written many books including Creating Well Being; the Creating Well-Being Audio-Cassette Course. The Integrative Healing Manual and five Friedman Assessment Scales on well-being, beliefs, affect, spiritual growth and quality of life.

For more information, please visit www.philipfriedman.com.

by Tim Brunson PhD

Regardless whether one uses the term change or transformation, the hypnotherapist's obsession with altering human condition too often lacks the appreciation of the true potential of the process. Unfortunately "change" has become the cliché of therapists and even politicians without a comprehensive level of understanding. So, regardless as to whether one feels that a particular new situation or condition is desired or not, the ability to create a desired future can only be intentional if there is an adequate awareness of the journey.

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Full title: Knowledge and attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine among medical students in Turkey.

This study aims to examine knowledge and attitudes towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine among medical students in Turkey, and find out whether they want to be trained in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). S: A cross-sectional study was carried out between October and December 2010 among medical students. Data were collected from a total of seven medical schools.The study included 943 medical students. The most well known methods among the students were herbal treatment (81.2%), acupuncture (80.8%), hypnosis (78.8%), body-based practices including massage (77%) and meditation (65.2%), respectively. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal treatment and meditation were better known among female participants compared to males (p<0.05). Females and first year students, generally had more positive attitudes. A larger proportion of female students compared to male students reported that a doctor should be knowledgeable about CAM (p=0.001), and this knowledge would be helpful in their future professional lives (p=0.015). Positive attitudes towards and willingness to receive training declined as the number of years spent in the faculty of medicine increased. Majority of the medical students were familiar with the CAM methods widely used in Turkey, while most of them had positive attitudes towards CAM as well as willingness to receive training on the subject, and they were likely to recommend CAM methods to their patients in their future professional lives. With its gradual scientific development and increasing popularity, there appears a need for a coordinated policy in integrating CAM into the medical curriculum, by taking expectations of and feedback from medical students into consideration in setting educational standards.

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Aug 3;12(1):115. [Epub ahead of print] Akan H, Izb 305 Rak G, Kaspar EC, Apayd 305 N CD, Ayd 305 N S, Demircan N, Erten G, Ozer C, 351 Ahin HA, Hayran O.

Full title: A Literature Review of Pediatric Spinal Manipulation and Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy: Evaluation of Consistent Use of Safety Terminology.

The purpose of this study was to perform a literature search to identify relevant studies on pediatric spinal manipulation and chiropractic manipulative therapy and to assess if safety terminology was consistent with the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). A literature search was performed in PubMed using the following terms: spinal manipulation pediatric, chiropractic safety pediatric, and manual therapy safety pediatric. PubMed was searched from inception to April 2012 with no language limitations. The international standards included the terminology of the World Health Organization on side effects, adverse reactions, adverse events and the ICH guideline templates that were adapted for manual therapy for this study. Of the 9 relevant articles identified in this study, 3 reported methodology for classifying safety incidents, and all 9 used safety terminology (adverse effects or adverse events). However, terminology was not used consistently. Most of the articles identified in this literature review did not use terminology consistent with the standards established by the ICH when reporting on safety incidents following pediatric spinal manipulation or chiropractic manipulative therapy. More efforts should be taken to include consistent terminology for studies of spinal manipulation and chiropractic manipulative therapy for children.

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012 Aug 27. Marchand AM.

This purpose of this analysis was to study risk factors of postoperative nausea (PON) and their strength. Data were obtained during the screening phase of a controlled clinical trial of aromatherapy for PON. In a sample of 1151 postsurgical subjects, 301 (26.2%) reported PON. Significant risk factors identified in the order of odds ratios for nausea were female gender, gastrointestinal surgery, use of volatile anesthesia gases, history of PON, history of motion sickness, and use of opioids after surgery. Although still over 1.0, the risk factors of length of surgery over 1 hour and gynecologic surgery had the lowest odds ratios. Likelihood of nausea increased significantly with the number of significant risk factors (P<.0001). Administration of preventive antiemetic medication also increased with the number of significant risk factors (P<.0001). Among 301 subjects reporting nausea, 49 (16.28%) received preventive medication. Despite prevention efforts, PON remains a substantial side effect for many surgical patients.

J Perianesth Nurs. 2012 Aug;27(4):252-8. Dienemann J, Hudgens AN, Martin D, Jones H, Hunt R, Blackwell R, Norton HJ, Divine G. School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. jadienem@uncc.edu

A book review by Tim Brunson, PhD

You can permanently change your mental future merely by choosing to change your brain states. This is the core premise of Brain Change Therapy: Clinical Interventions for Self-Transformation by Carol Kershaw, EdD, and Bill Wade, EdD, co-directors of The Milton Erickson Institute of Houston. In this encyclopedic volume they synergize psychotherapy, Ericksonian Hypnosis, and biofeedback/neurofeedback as they explore a variety of aspects and dimensions regarding lasting transformation through intentional state change.

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by Tim Brunson, PhD

There is an incorrect presumption by some that all hypnosis involves either stage-related entertainment or constitutes a practice of psychotherapy. This limited view is completely incorrect. Furthermore, such an extremely limited view of hypnosis represents a complete misunderstanding of its definition and application. Yes, although hypnosis can be used for entertainment purposes and during any psychotherapeutic endeavors, it is clearly much more than that as it permeates a much wider range of mental functioning and human communication. (The International Hypnosis Research Institute offers well thought out definitions on our website).

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Gayle Peterson, MSSW, LCSW, PhD is an international expert specializing in prenatal and family development. She trains professionals in her prenatal counseling model and is the author of An Easier Childbirth, Birthing Normally and her latest book, Making Healthy Families. Her articles on family relationships appear in professional journals and she is an oft-quoted expert in popular magazines such as Woman's Day, Mothering, Fit Pregnancy and Parenting. She is a clinical member of The Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a Diplomate with the National Association of Social Work. She also serves on the advisory board for Fit Pregnancy magazine.

Dr. Gayle Peterson has written a monthly family column for the San Francisco Bay Area's Parents Press and currently writes for the Sierra Foothills, Family Post. She is an expert on numerous parenting websites and she has also hosted a live Internet radio show, Ask Dr. Gayle, answering questions on family relationships and parenting. Dr. Peterson has appeared on numerous radio and television interviews, including The Today Show and on Canadian Broadcast as a family and communications expert in the documentary Baby's Best Chance. She is former clinical director of the Holistic Health Program at John F. Kennedy University and has served as adjunct faculty at the California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco.

A national public speaker on women's issues and family development, Dr.Gayle Peterson counsels individuals, couples and families in her private psychotherapy practice in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and in the Sierra foothills. She has won an honorable mention for her website from the Association of Marriage and Family Therapy for her benefit to families. Dr. Peterson is also available for phone and e-mail consultation.

Gayle also enjoys playing music, attending ballet classes and an active family life. She and her husband are parents of two adult children and proud grandparents to three lively boys, and a sparkly granddaughter!

The neurophysiological substrates of hypnosis have been subject to speculation since the phenomenon got its name. Until recently, much of this research has been geared toward understanding hypnosis itself, including the biological bases of individual differences in hypnotizability, state-dependent changes in cortical activity occurring with the induction of hypnosis, and the neural correlates of response to particular hypnotic suggestions (especially the clinically useful hypnotic analgesia). More recently, hypnosis has begun to be employed as a method for manipulating subjects' mental states, both cognitive and affective, to provide information about the neural substrates of experience, thought, and action. This instrumental use of hypnosis is particularly well-suited for identifying the neural correlates of conscious and unconscious perception and memory, and of voluntary and involuntary action.

Cortex. 2012 Jun 5. Kihlstrom JF. University of California, Berkeley, United States.

Aims and objectives. This study evaluated the effects of combined music-movement therapy on physical and psychological functioning of hospitalised stroke patients. Background. Few studies have focused on music-movement therapy's effects on physical and psychological functioning of stroke patients. Design. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests was used. Methods. A convenience sample was used: patients hospitalised for stroke and within two weeks of the onset of stroke were randomised to either an experimental group (received music-movement therapy in their wheelchairs for 60 minutes three times per week for 8 weeks) or control group (received only routine treatment). The effect of music-movement therapy was assessed in terms of physical outcomes (range of motion, muscle strength and activities of daily living) and psychological outcomes (mood states, depression), measured in both groups pre- and post-test. Results. The experimental group had significantly increased shoulder flexion and elbow joint flexion in physical function and improved mood state in psychological function, compared with the control group. Conclusions. Early rehabilitation of hospitalised stroke patients within two weeks of the onset of stroke was effective by using music-movement therapy. It improved their mood state and increased shoulder flexion and elbow joint flexion. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings of this study suggest that rehabilitation for stroke patients should begin as early as possible, even during their hospitalisation. Nursing practice should incorporate the concept of combining music and movements to improve stroke patients' physical and psychological states starting from the acute phase.

J Clin Nurs. 2012 Sep 17. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04243.x. Jun EM, Roh YH, Kim MJ. Authors: Eun-Mi Jun, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing Science, Dong-eui University, Busan; Young Hwa Roh, BSN, RN, Nurse, Department of Nursing, Medwill Rehabilitation Hospital, Busan, Korea; Mi Ja Kim, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Department of Biobehavioral Health Science, UIC College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, USA.

Traditionally, women gave birth surrounded by other, experienced women. Modern women not only require continuous support during labor, but they also want to have a part in decision-taking. That is why some of them, regardless of how much or how little medical knowledge they have, want to decide about the way of birth on their own. The aim of this study was to find the underlying cause of the growing percentage of cesarean sections and cesarean sections on request and to find an answer to the question of what can be done to reduce that number. A survey was conducted among 100 nulliparas between 38 and 40 week of pregnancy who were determined to give birth in a natural way, and among 50 nulliparas, in the same gestational age, who requested cesarean section. The analysis of our survey shows that request for cesarean section in 12% of cases resulted from fear of labor pain, more than before were declared 2%. After they were informed about methods of reducing labor pain and guaranteed that those methods would be available, as many as 52% of pregnant women who had previously requested cesarean section changed their mind and wanted to give birth in a natural way (this could reduce cesarean section rate about 52%, p<0.05), and 42% (of the total) wanted to have epidural anesthesia. Better access of pregnant women to information about pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of reducing labor pain, coupled with the availability of those methods, can reduce the number of cesarean sections on request even by half. In the group of pregnant women determined to have cesarean section, one in four would give it up if they had access to epidural anesthesia, and one in ten if they had access to non-pharmacological methods of reducing labor pain (mainly acupuncture).

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2012 Aug;33(194):86-9. Pawelec M, Pietras J, Karmowski A, Palczynski B, Karmowski M, Nowak T. First Chair and Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Wroclaw, Poland. mproust@wp.pl

Midge Murphy is the first attorney to receive a PhD in energy medicine from Holos University working with Caroline Myss and Norm Shealy, MD, PhD. She understands both the law and the healing arts which allows her to lend her expertise as a bridge between the two worlds. Midge has combined her unique experiences as an attorney and teacher to create leading edge academic and continuing education courses on the ethical, legal and regulatory issues in practicing energy-based therapies. She is a professor at Energy Medicine University and is the co-author of Creating Right Relationships: A Practical Guide to Ethics in Energy Therapies with Dorothea Hover-Kramer. Midge is a Therapeutic Touch practitioner and a founding member of the Northwest Therapeutic Touch Institute.

For more information, please visit http://www.midgemurphy.com.

by Tim Brunson PhD

Rarely does a month pass by without me hearing some wizened authority admonishing an audience to refrain from using the word "patients" to describe the people they serve. These cautionary statements have sufficient legal and ethical overtones to scare those present into submission. However, is this really accurate? Is it in the best interests of the public? Have the phobic adherents to self-styled political correctness deviated sufficiently from the realm of linguistic truthfulness to effectively demean the people they serve?

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Hyperemesis gravidarum, or pernicious vomiting of pregnancy, is a complication of pregnancy that affects various areas of the woman's health, including homeostasis, electrolytes, and kidney function, and may have adverse fetal consequences. Recent research now provides additional guidelines for protection against and relief from hyperemesis gravidarum. Alterations to maternal diet and lifestyle can have protective effects. Medicinal methods of prevention and treatment include nutritional supplements and alternative methods, such as hypnosis and acupuncture, as well as pharmacotherapy.

Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2012;5(2):78-84. Wegrzyniak LJ, Repke JT, Ural SH.

MiRNAs, which are a family of small non-coding RNAs, regulate a broad array of physiological and developmental processes. However, their regulatory roles have remained largely mysterious. E2F is a positive regulator of cell cycle progression and also a potent inducer of apoptosis. Positive feedback loops in the regulation of Rb-E2F pathway are predicted and shown experimentally. Recently, it has been discovered that E2F induce a cluster of miRNAs called miR449. In turn, E2F is inhibited by miR449 through regulating different transcripts, thus forming negative feedback loops in the interaction network. Here, based on the integration of experimental evidence and quantitative data, we studied Rb-E2F pathway coupling the positive feedback loops and negative feedback loops mediated by miR449. Therefore, a mathematical model is constructed based in part on the model proposed in Yao-Lee et al. (2008) and nonlinear dynamical behaviors including the stability and bifurcations of the model are discussed. A comparison is given to reveal the implication of the fundamental differences of Rb-E2F pathway between regulation and deregulation of miR449. Coherent with the experiments it predicts that miR449 plays a critical role in regulating the cell cycle progression and provides a twofold safety mechanism to avoid excessive E2F-induced proliferation by cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, numerical simulation and bifurcation analysis shows that the mechanisms of the negative regulation of miR449 to three different transcripts are quite distinctive which needs to be verified experimentally. This study may help us to analyze the whole cell cycle process mediated by other miRNAs more easily. A better knowledge of the dynamical behaviors of miRNAs mediated networks is also of interest for bio-engineering and artificial control.

PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e43908. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043908. Epub 2012 Sep 18. Yan F, Liu H, Hao J, Liu Z. Department of Mathematics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, P. R. China ; Institute of System Biology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, P. R. China.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential anxiolytic effect of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) aroma in healthy volunteers submitted to an anxiogenic situation. Design: Forty (40) male volunteers were allocated to five different groups for the inhalation of sweet orange essential oil (test aroma: 2.5, 5, or 10 drops), tea tree essential oil (control aroma: 2.5 drops), or water (nonaromatic control: 2.5 drops). Immediately after inhalation, each volunteer was submitted to a model of anxiety, the video-monitored version of the Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT). Outcome measures: Psychologic parameters (state-anxiety, subjective tension, tranquilization, and sedation) and physiologic parameters (heart rate and gastrocnemius electromyogram) were evaluated before the inhalation period and before, during, and after the SCWT. Results: Unlike the control groups, the individuals exposed to the test aroma (2.5 and 10 drops) presented a lack of significant alterations (p>0.05) in state-anxiety, subjective tension and tranquillity levels throughout the anxiogenic situation, revealing an anxiolytic activity of sweet orange essential oil. Physiologic alterations along the test were not prevented in any treatment group, as has previously been observed for diazepam. Conclusions: Although more studies are needed to find out the clinical relevance of aromatherapy for anxiety disorders, the present results indicate an acute anxiolytic activity of sweet orange aroma, giving some scientific support to its use as a tranquilizer by aromatherapists.

J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Aug;18(8):798-804. Epub 2012 Jul 31. Goes TC, Antunes FD, Alves PB, Teixeira-Silva F. 1 Departamento de Fisiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe , Sergipe, Brazil.

The combination of hypnosis and paravertebral block (PVB) was studied in three patients scheduled for breast cancer surgery. The three procedures were realized under hypnosis. Median postoperative pain was rated at zero and comfort felt at 8 on a 10 points scale. Hypnosis could be an alternative to conventional anesthesia in combination with a PVB for breast cancer surgery.

Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2012 Jul;31(7-8):644-5. Epub 2012 Jul 3. Bouzinac A, Delbos A, Mazières M, Rontes O, Manenc JL. Service d'anesthésie, clinique Médipôle Garonne, 45, rue de Gironis, 31100 Toulouse, France.

Nigel Hetherington is a licensed trainer and Master Pactitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming. He is a licensed trainer of Ericksonian hypnosis and Clinical Hypnosis.

He began his NLP training in 2001 and hypnosis in 2000. In 2005, he left his then job as a software developer to start his own company, which is called Communicating Excellence, to design and facilitate NLP and Clinical Hypnotherapy trainings full time. He has been working full time as a therapist, coach and trainer since 2005. He is a member of the Society of NLP, The Professional Guild of NLP, The General Hypnotherapy Register and General Hypnotherapy Standards Council.

For more information visit nigelhetherington.co.uk.

Clinical trial design of manual therapies may be especially challenging as techniques are often individualized and practitioner-dependent. This paper describes our methods in creating a standardized Swedish massage protocol tailored to subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee while respectful of the individualized nature of massage therapy, as well as implementation of this protocol in two randomized clinical trials. The manualization process involved a collaborative process between methodologic and clinical experts, with the explicit goals of creating a reproducible semi-structured protocol for massage therapy, while allowing some latitude for therapists' clinical judgment and maintaining consistency with a prior pilot study. The manualized protocol addressed identical specified body regions with distinct 30- and 60-min protocols, using standard Swedish strokes. Each protocol specifies the time allocated to each body region. The manualized 30- and 60-min protocols were implemented in a dual-site 24-week randomized dose-finding trial in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, and is currently being implemented in a three-site 52-week efficacy trial of manualized Swedish massage therapy. In the dose-finding study, therapists adhered to the protocols and significant treatment effects were demonstrated. The massage protocol was manualized, using standard techniques, as well as made flexible for individual practitioner and subject needs. The protocol has been applied in two randomized clinical trials. This manualized Swedish massage protocol has real-world utility and can be readily utilized both in the research and clinical settings.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT00970008 (18 August 2009).

Trials. 2012 Oct 4;13(1):185. Ali A, Kahn J, Rosenberger L, Perlman AI.

Fronto-temporal areas process shared elements of speech and music. Improvisational psychodynamic music therapy (MT) utilizes verbal and musical reflection on emotions and images arising from clinical improvisation. Music listening is shifting frontal alpha asymmetries (FAA) in depression, and increases frontal midline theta (FMT). In a two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 79 depressed clients (with comorbid anxiety), we compared standard care (SC) versus MT added to SC at intake and after 3 months. We found that MT significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms. The purpose of this study is to test whether or not MT has an impact on anterior fronto-temporal resting state alpha and theta oscillations. Correlations between anterior EEG, Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety Subscale (HADS-A), power spectral analysis (topography, means, asymmetry) and normative EEG database comparisons were explored. After 3 month of MT, lasting changes in resting EEG were observed, i.e., significant absolute power increases at left fronto-temporal alpha, but most distinct for theta (also at left fronto-central and right temporoparietal leads). MT differed to SC at F7-F8 (z scored FAA, p < .03) and T3-T4 (theta, p < .005) asymmetry scores, pointing towards decreased relative left-sided brain activity after MT; pre/post increased FMT and decreased HADS-A scores (r = .42, p < .05) indicate reduced anxiety after MT. Verbal reflection and improvising on emotions in MT may induce neural reorganization in fronto-temporal areas. Alpha and theta changes in fronto-temporal and temporoparietal areas indicate MT action and treatment effects on cortical activity in depression, suggesting an impact of MT on anxiety reduction.

Brain Topogr. 2012 Sep 16. Fachner J, Gold C, Erkkilä J. Department of Music, Finnish Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Music Research, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland, jorg.fachner@jyu.fi.

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cosponsored a workshop that explored the possible benefits of acupuncture treatment for acute pain. One goal of the workshop was to establish a roadmap to building an evidence base on that would indicate whether acupuncture is helpful for treating active-duty military personnel experiencing acute pain. The workshop highlighted brief presentations on the most current research on acupuncture and acute pain mechanisms. The impact of various modifiers (stress, genetics, population, phenotypes, etc.) on acute pain pathways and response to acupuncture treatment was discussed. Additional presentations focused on common neural mechanisms, an overview of real-world experience with using acupuncture to treat traumatic acute pain, and best tools and methods specific for acupuncture studies. Three breakout groups addressed the gaps, opportunities, and barriers to acupuncture use for acute pain in military and trauma settings. Different models of effectiveness research and optimal research designs for conducting trials in acute traumatic pain were also discussed.

J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Sep 28. Edwards E, Louis Belard J, Glowa J, Khalsa P, Weber W, Huntley K. 1 Division of Extramural Research, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine , Bethesda, MD.

Wendy Anne McCarty, Co-Creator, Founding Chair, Prenatal & Psychology Program, Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. Author, Welcoming Consciousness, a holonomic, holographic early development model incorporating transcendental & human awareness. Pioneer Prenatal and perinatal Psychology EP Clinican for prenates, babies, children, adults, and working with the family field. Global private practice utilizing EFT, TAT, Heartmath, and other modalities. Mentoring professionals in prenatal and perinatal psychology. She has worked with families for 25 years as an obstetrical nurse, childbirth educator, psychotherapist, prenatal and birth therapist, educator, and consultant. She has been involved in consciousness studies for over two decades. She co-founded BEBA, a Non Profit Research clinic to provide therapy to babies and families to resolve early trauma and support optimal growth and bonding; and to teach professionals.

For more information, please visit http://www.wondrousbeginnings.com.

by Tim Brunson, PhD

In 1955, when Darold Treffert, MD, (1989) reported for his first position as an attending psychiatrist, among his first patients there were several autistics with special abilities. Young David had memorized the bus schedule for each stop in every major city in Wisconsin. Then Billy could stand on the free throw line of the hospital's basketball court and NEVER miss a shot. During his career Treffert discovered that approximately 10% of all people diagnosed with autism in the state of Wisconsin had some type of savant-like abilities.

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