May is stroke month
 So, here’s a list of studies on CAM and stroke that were published in the past year.
Stroke risk
- “The combined impact of the 4 health behaviors [smoking, exercise, alcohol, vitamin C] — though relatively modest and potentially achievable across all ages, sex, and social classes — was associated with an estimated 2.3-fold difference in risk of stroke.â€
Mediterranean diet
- “Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet… was associated with a lower risk of… stroke in women.â€
Fatty fish
- Modest consumption of fish is associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical brain infarcts (â€tiny†strokes) — changes in the brain consistent with a stroke, but without the usual outward signs and symptoms.
- “Music, when applied during the most dynamic period of recovery from neural damage, can induce long-term changes on cognition [reasoning] that is [shown] by enhanced recovery of focused attention and verbal memory.â€
- “Incorporating biofeedback into the treatment regimen had a positive effect on the range of motion and on the recovery of upper extremity function in hemiplegic patients.”
Coffee and tea
- 1 study suggests a protective role.
- “There is not enough evidence to make any conclusion about the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for dysphasia after acute stroke.â€
Balance training
- Combining balance training (using force platform biofeedback) with a conventional rehabilitation program did not provide additional benefits.
5/1/09 15:21 JR