The Effects of Shiatsu Massage on Stressed College Students

This research discusses the effect that Shiatsu massages can have on stress in college students. A Shiatsu massage class was surveyed to provide further research

Aromatherapy for Preoperative Anxiety among Female Breast Surgery Patients: A Feasibility Study

Purpose: This dissertation addresses the use of complementary therapies in the perioperative period for acute situational anxiety. The aim of this dissertation was to explore the concept of relief from anxiety, to describe instruments used to measure preoperative anxiety, and to evaluate the feasibility of using aromatherapy patch for preoperative anxiety among female breast surgery patients. Design: This dissertation includes a principle-based concept analysis on relief from anxiety using complementary therapies in the perioperative period, an integrative review on instruments used to measure preoperative acute situational anxiety, and a feasibility study using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the feasibility of providing lavender aromatherapy through a sustained-release patch and the use of a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to measure anxiety levels during the preoperative period for female breast surgery patients. Conclusions: This dissertation provides a greater understanding of relief from anxiety using complementary therapies. This knowledge will allow perioperative providers to modify and specify the incorporation of complementary therapies to the plan of care for surgical patients experiencing acute situational anxiety. However, if providers wish to implement a plan of care for preoperative acute situational anxiety, a reliable and valid instrument should be used for measurement. A feasible and convenient option for measuring and treating preoperative anxiety are a VAS and a sustained-release lavender aromatherapy patch. Clinical Relevance: The ideas for this dissertation arose directly from my clinical practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and my personal appreciation for the use of complementary therapies to relieve or reduce anxiety or stress. Numerous deleterious effects can occur from untreated anxiety in the perioperative period. Therefore, this dissertation explores options, beyond the traditional anxiety treatment, for patients and providers to use for perioperative anxiety. Aromatherapy was shown to be a feasible and potentially efficacious intervention to reduce preoperative anxiety. The next step is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the aromatherapy patch demonstrates efficacy compared to a placebo patch on perceived reductions and biobehavioral decreases in anxiety (i.e., anxiety scales, heart rate variability, skin conductance, physiological biomarkers of stress) among patients in the preoperative period

Psychopathological and psychodynamic hypotheses for pediatric stuttering

Stuttering is a common language alteration in pediatric age consisting in repetitions and blocks, which entail a break in the rhythm and melody of the speech. According to the WHO it is a disorder of the rhythm of the word, the subject knows precisely what he would like to say, but at the same time he is not able to say it. It is a great inconvenience for those affected, also because the slowing down of speaking is not about thought or cognitive skills

Breathing Signature as Vitality Score Index Created by Exercises of Qigong: Implications of Artificial Intelligence Tools Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Rising concerns about the short- and long-term detrimental consequences of administration of conventional pharmacopeia are fueling the search for alternative, complementary, personalized, and comprehensive approaches to human healthcare. Qigong, a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, represents a viable alternative approach. Here, we started with the practical, philosophical, and psychological background of Ki (in Japanese) or Qi (in Chinese) and their relationship to Qigong theory and clinical application. Noting the drawbacks of the current state of Qigong clinic, herein we propose that to manage the unique aspects of the Eastern 'non-linearity' and 'holistic' approach, it needs to be integrated with the Western "linearity" "one-direction" approach. This is done through developing the concepts of "Qigong breathing signatures," which can define our life breathing patterns associated with diseases using machine learning technology. We predict that this can be achieved by establishing an artificial intelligence (AI)-Medicine training camp of databases, which will integrate Qigong-like breathing patterns with different pathologies unique to individuals. Such an integrated connection will allow the AI-Medicine algorithm to identify breathing patterns and guide medical intervention. This unique view of potentially connecting Eastern Medicine and Western Technology can further add a novel insight to our current understanding of both Western and Eastern medicine, thereby establishing a vitality score index (VSI) that can predict the outcomes of lifestyle behaviors and medical conditions

Perceptions of Acupuncture and Acupressure by Anesthesia Providers

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials show acupuncture and acupressure support anesthesia management by decreasing anxiety, opioid requirements and treating post-operative nausea and vomiting. Acupuncture and acupressure have demonstrated clinical usefulness and received governmental support (NIH, PPACA, WHO, U.S. Military), but have not yet diffused into mainstream anesthesia practice. This study examined US anesthesia providers\u27 perceptions of acupuncture and acupressure. METHODS: Ninety-six anesthesiology departments stratified by geographic region (Northeast, South, West, and Midwest) and institution type (university medical centers, community hospitals, children’s hospitals, and VA hospitals) were selected for participation in an anonymous, online survey. The target sample was 1,728 providers of which N = 292 (54% anesthesiologists, 44% CRNAs, 2% AAs) responded yielding an overall 17% response rate. RESULTS: Spearman’s correlation coefficient revealed a statistically significant correlation between acupuncture and geographic region, with the West having the highest predisposition toward acupuncture use (rs = 0.159, p = 0.007). Females are more likely to use acupuncture than men (rs = -.188, p = 0.002). Age yielded a moderate effect size with providers between the ages of 31-50 years old experiencing the best outcomes administering acupuncture (rs = 0.65, 95% CI = 2.79, 3.06). A strong effect size exists between acupuncture and country of pre-anesthesia training (rs = 1.00, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.16). Some providers have used acupuncture (27%) and acupressure (18%) with positive outcomes, however the majority of providers have not used these modalities, but would consider using them (54%, SD = 1.44 acupuncture; 60%, SD = 1.32 acupressure). Seventy-six percent of respondents would like acupuncture education and 74% would like acupressure education (SD = 0.43, SD = 0.44, respectively). Lack of scientific evidence (79%, SD = 0.73) and unavailability of credentialed providers (71%, SD = 0.92) were the primary barriers. CONCLUSIONS: While most U.S. anesthesia providers have not used these modalities, they still report a favorable perception of acupuncture/acupressure’s role as part of an anesthetic and the majority of providers express an interest in receiving education. This study adds to the body of acupuncture and acupressure research by providing insight into anesthesia providers’ perceptions of these alternative medicine modalities

Techniques for modifying impulsive processes associated with unhealthy eating: a systematic review

Objective: This systematic review aimed to; (i) identify and categorize techniques used to modify or manage impulsive processes associated with unhealthy eating behavior, (ii) describe the mechanisms targeted by such techniques and (iii) summarize available evidence on the effectiveness of these techniques. Methods: Searches of 5 bibliographic databases identified studies, published in English since 1993, that evaluated at least one technique to modify impulsive processes affecting eating in adults. Data were systematically extracted on study characteristics, population, study quality, intervention techniques, proposed mechanisms of action and outcomes. Effectiveness evidence was systematically collated and described without meta-analysis. Results: Ninety-two studies evaluated 17 distinct impulse management techniques. They were categorized according to whether they aimed to (1) modify the strength of impulses, or (2) engage the reflective system or other resources in identifying, suppressing or otherwise managing impulses. Although higher quality evidence is needed to draw definitive conclusions, promising changes in unhealthy food consumption and food cravings were observed for visuospatial loading, physical activity, and if-then planning, typically for up to 1-day follow-up. Conclusions: A wide range of techniques have been evaluated and some show promise for use in weight management interventions. However, larger-scale, more methodologically-robust, community based studies with longer follow-up times are needed to establish whether such techniques can have a long-term impact on eating patterns

HapBead: on-skin microfluidic haptic interface using tunable bead

On-skin haptic interfaces using soft elastomers which are thin and flexible have significantly improved in recent years. Many are focused on vibrotactile feedback that requires complicated parameter tuning. Another approach is based on mechanical forces created via piezoelectric devices and other methods for non-vibratory haptic sensations like stretching, twisting. These are often bulky with electronic components and associated drivers are complicated with limited control of timing and precision. This paper proposes HapBead, a new on-skin haptic interface that is capable of rendering vibration like tactile feedback using microfluidics. HapBead leverages a microfluidic channel to precisely and agilely oscillate a small bead via liquid flow, which then generates various motion patterns in channel that creates highly tunable haptic sensations on skin. We developed a proof-of-concept design to implement thin, flexible and easily affordable HapBead platform, and verified its haptic rendering capabilities via attaching it to users’ fingertips. A study was carried out and confirmed that participants could accurately tell six different haptic patterns rendered by HapBead. HapBead enables new wearable display applications with multiple integrated functionalities such as on-skin haptic doodles, mixed reality haptics and visual-haptic displays