1.
An oncology mind-body medicine day care clinic: concept and case presentation.
Paul, A, Cramer, H, Lauche, R, Altner, N, Langhorst, J, Dobos, GJ
Integrative cancer therapies. 2013;(6):503-7
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer diagnosis and treatment are often associated with physical and psychosocial impairments. Many cancer patients request complementary and alternative therapies such as mind-body medicine. CONCEPT The department of internal and integrative medicine at the Essen-Mitte Clinics offer a mind-body medicine day care clinic for cancer patients that is based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program and the mind-body medicine cancer program of the Harvard Mind/Body Medical Institute. The program encompasses mindfulness training, yoga, mindful exercise, nutrition, naturopathic self-help strategies, and cognitive restructuring. CASES Two patients who had participated in the day care clinic program are presented here. One patient presented with anxiety and depression after recently diagnosed breast cancer and the other with psychological impairments as a result of multiple nevi excision after malignant melanoma surgery. Both patients improved in terms of anxiety and further psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The Essen-Mitte Clinics mind-body medicine day care clinic appears to alleviate psychological consequences of cancer and its treatment. Further studies and randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these results.
2.
Nonmedication, alternative, and complementary treatments for migraine.
Mauskop, A
Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.). 2012;(4):796-806
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The efficacy of some nonpharmacologic therapies appears to approach that of most drugs used for the prevention of migraine and tension-type headaches. These therapies often carry a very low risk of serious side effects and frequently are much less expensive than pharmacologic therapies. Considering this combination of efficacy, minimal side effects, and cost savings, medications should generally not be prescribed alone but rather in combination with nonpharmacologic therapies. RECENT FINDINGS In addition to the established nonpharmacologic therapies, such as biofeedback, relaxation training, butterbur, riboflavin, magnesium, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation, recent data provide support for the use of aerobic exercise and acupuncture. Discovery of the high incidence of the C677T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, MTHFR, and attendant elevation of homocysteine levels in patients with migraine with aura led to a trial of cyanocobalamin, folate, and pyridoxine in these patients. This trial showed that taking these three supplements resulted in a reduction of homocysteine levels and improvement of migraines. SUMMARY Therapies proven (to various degrees) to be effective for migraine include aerobic exercise; biofeedback; other forms of relaxation training; cognitive therapies; acupuncture; and supplementation with magnesium, CoQ10, riboflavin, butterbur, feverfew, and cyanocobalamin with folate and pyridoxine.
3.
The Gonzalez therapy and cancer: a collection of case reports.
Gonzalez, NJ, Isaacs, LL
Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 2007;(1):46-55
4.
Complementary and alternative therapies: the nurse's role.
Fowler, S, Newton, L
The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. 2006;(4):261-4
Abstract
One objective of Healthy People 2010 is to increase both quality and years of healthy life. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses strategies that can help individuals meet this goal. CAM includes therapies such as acupuncture, dietary supplements, reflexology, yoga, massage, chiropractic services, Reiki, and aromatherapy. Many CAM therapies focus on the concept of energy. The literature describes the use of CAM in individuals with neurological diseases such as dementias, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, spinal cord injury, and epilepsy. Nurses have a unique opportunity to provide services that facilitate wholeness. They need to understand all aspects of CAM, including costs, patient knowledge, and drug interactions, if they are to promote holistic strategies for patients seeking to achieve a higher quality of life.