Acupuncture in Modern Medicine

This book contains four integrated sections: 1) Acupuncture Research; 2) New Developments in Acupuncture; 3) Acupuncture Therapy for Clinical Conditions and 4) Assessment and Accessibility in Acupuncture Therapy. Section 1 provides updates on acupuncture research. From acupuncture effects in modulation of immune system to the role of nitric oxide in acupuncture mechanisms, chapters in this section offer readers the newest trends in acupuncture research. Section 2 summarizes new developments in acupuncture. The included chapters discuss new tools and methods in acupuncture such as laser acupuncture, sham needles, and new technologies. Section 3 discusses acupuncture therapy for clinical conditions. The chapters in this section provide comprehensive and critical views of acupuncture therapy and its application in common clinical practice. Section 4 takes a new look at the issues related to assessment and accessibility in acupuncture therapy. These issues are central to developing new standards for outcome assessment and policies that will increase the accessibility to acupuncture therapy

“Is there anything else you would like to tell us?” – A thematic analysis of free-text comments from a self-management questionnaire with people affected by cancer

Background: Researchers are frequently using open-ended questions at the end of questionnaires that invite respondents to add, in their own words, further information about issues covered in the questionnaire. The aim of this study was to present the qualitative findings from the further information section at the end of a questionnaire that was designed to collect data on aspects of self-management in people affected by cancer. Methods: Respondents were asked: ‘Thinking about how you manage your health and health care, if there is anything else you would like to tell us about your experience, please write in the box below.’ Free-text responses were analysed thematically. Results: 128 participants completed the free-text response at the end of the questionnaire. The main overarching theme was the concept of the participants “moving on” from cancer and developing a meaningful life for themselves following diagnosis and treatment. For most, this incorporated making adjustments to their physical, social, psychological, spiritual and emotional wellbeing. “Luck” was another overwhelming theme where many participants stated they were “glad to still be alive” and “consider myself very lucky.” Participants reported adjustments made to health behaviours such as leading an active lifestyle and making changes to their diet and nutrition. The final theme incorporates the participants identifying their main sources of support, both clinical and non-clinical, some of which they stated “could not have done it without them.” Conclusions: The findings highlight the valuable insight that free-text comments can add as a data source at the end of self-completion questionnaires with people affected by cancer

Weight Management

Weight management is a multi- and cross-disciplinary challenge. This book covers many etiological and diagnostic aspects of weight-related disorders and their treatment. This book explains how body weight influences and is influenced by the brain, hormones and immune system, diet, physical activity, posture and gait, and the social environment. This book also elucidates the health consequences of significantly low or pathologically increased body weight. Furthermore, ideas on how to influence and manage body weight including anti-obesity medical devices, diet counselling, artificial sweeteners, prebiotics and probiotics, proanthocyanidins, bariatric surgery, microbiota transplantation, warming, physical exercise, music and psychological therapy are discussed

Utilizing the Standard Trauma-Focused EMDR Protocol in Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic pain and fatigue. It notably impacts individuals and their families, creates notable opportunity costs for society, and places heavy demands on the medical system. Fibromyalgia has no cure. Its etiology is uncertain but likely biopsychosocial. In a subset of individuals experiencing Fibromyalgia, the experience of one or more traumatic experiences precipitates the onset of symptoms. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based treatment for traumatic stress injuries. None of the handful of published accounts of EMDR treatment of Fibromyalgia have utilized the standard evidenced-based, trauma-focused EMDR (TF-EMDR) protocol, opting instead for untested modifications of EMDR related protocols rendering generalization of effects across studies difficult at best. The current study explored whether the use of the TF-EMDR protocol was sufficient to reduce chronic physical and psychological symptoms of Fibromyalgia in three female participants. Standardized symptom measures of post-traumatic stress, depression, pain, and Fibromyalgia-specific symptoms were administered at pre, post, and 3-month follow-up. Results indicated a decrease in symptoms across all standardized symptom measures. Participants’ pain and symptoms of Fibromyalgia decreased, as did depression and trauma symptoms. Other results of treatment included: improved sleep, improved communication with loved ones, and improved sexual functioning. Treatment observations suggest TF-EMDR may help facilitate participants’ ability to: identify their emotions, observe the relationship between emotions and physical sensation, and observe (without trying to change) emotions and physical sensation. Results are promising and support the use of TF-EMDR in the treatment of Fibromyalgia patients with a history of trauma. The electronic version of this dissertation is at OhioLink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/et