The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Music-exercise video aids recovery from total knee replacement

    Following total knee replacement, patients must perform exercises several times a day. It’s a painful part of recovery.

    Here’s an innovative application of music therapy developed by Dr. Thomas Ryan from Michigan State University to help motivate patients do their exercises.

    The details.

    • 45 patients — half used the music video, the rest did the exercises on their own
    • The video group returned to their usual daily activities about 59% faster.
    • Knee status and overall function at 6 to 8 weeks were significantly better for those using the video.
    • 100% of the video patients would use the video if they needed knee surgery in the future.

    “Patients were following the instructor on the video and listening to the music instead of concentrating on how much longer they have to work, so it felt easier to do the exercises,” Dr. Ryan said.

    And it was cost effective due to a decreased need for additional therapy during the initial 8-week period that averaged $2,300 per patient.

    The video is available to surgeons, hospitals, or licensed physical therapists who can then determine if it is appropriate for their patients. For more information, go here.

    The results were presented at the 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

    2/18/07 11:40 JR

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