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

    The value of music therapy for substance abuse treatment

    According to researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia, music therapy is a promising approach to improving engagement in substance abuse treatment groups.

    First the details.

    • Patient attendance rates and perceptions of the music therapy were surveyed.
    • 24 surveys were analyzed.

    And, the results.

    • There was enjoyment and motivation to participate during the sessions.
    • 83% reported they would attend another music therapy session.
    • 46% felt that music therapy would help them feel more a part of the group.
    • The response was positive for all ages and substances abused.

    The bottom line?
    An earlier study on the impact on songwriting and lyric analysis concluded there was some benefit, although the effect was not statistically significant. Another reported less depression, stress, anxiety, and anger immediately following the music therapy sessions.

    Finding a way to engage patients in treatment is good. But does it affect future abstinence?

    We don’t know.

    2/14/08 20:33 JR

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