The American Heart Association has summarized the blood pressure-lowering effects of several alternative approaches and provided recommendations for their use.

Here’s what we know in people with blood pressure (BP) levels higher than 120/80 mmHg. (more…)

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston, Massachusetts, report patterns and reasons for its use.

It’s not what you think. (more…)

MayoClinic.com tells us, “When fibromyalgia pain or fatigue is severe, you might not be thinking clearly… Having a plan to follow gives you a sense of control over your signs and symptoms.” (more…)

Dr. Robert Herron, an independent researcher, and director of the Center for Health Systems Analysis in Quebec, Canada, retrospectively assessed government payments to physicians for treating the TM and no-treatment (NT) groups. (more…)

Researchers in the US compared the effects of a nondenominational spiritual retreat on depression and well-being following acute coronary syndrome — chest pain and other symptoms when the heart doesn’t get enough blood. (more…)

During the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, in Perth, Western Australia reported less distress, and improvements in pain, fatigue, nausea, appetite, sleep, breathing and bowel function. (more…)

Alexithymia is the inability to describe emotions in a verbal manner. Alexithymia is likely to be involved in the pain experience of cancer patients.

Researchers at the Universidad de Almería, in Spain, report their preliminary findings using meditation (mindfulness). (more…)

Researchers from the University of Virginia Health System, in Charlottesville reviewed yoga and/or meditation-based programs, tai chi, and other relaxation practices, including muscle relaxation and breath-based techniques, relaxation response training, and low-frequency sound-wave therapy. (more…)

Researchers at KhonKaen University, in KhonKaen, Thailand reviewed the evidence for this Cochrane report on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (more…)

Relapse is common in substance use disorders, even among treated individuals.

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin, in Madison reviewed the evidence supporting mindfulness meditation. (more…)

Researchers from several US medical schools surveyed the students. (more…)

Researchers at Arizona State University, in Tempe studied the effects of breathing rate following thermal pain in women with fibromyalgia syndrome. (more…)

The Integrative Medicine Service, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City offers their perspective. (more…)

The aim of Vipassana meditation is to reduce cognitive and emotional reactivity.

Dr. Alberto Chiesa at the University of Bologna, in Italy, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Anxiety and depression are among the most common conditions cited by those seeking treatment with complementary and alternative therapies.

Researchers from The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers from Maharishi University of Management Research Institute, in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa report. (more…)

Substance use disorders refer to conditions arising from the abuse of alcohol and psychoactive drugs.

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin in Madison reviewed the existing evidence for using mindfulness meditation — the practice of directing your full attention to the present. (more…)

Migraine headaches are associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low self-efficacy.

Spiritual meditation helps ameliorate these traits, according to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. (more…)

Coronary artery calcification is the accumulation of calcified fatty deposits on the inside of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Their presence  is a predictor of future coronary heart disease. Researchers from the University of Chicago in Illinois report that sleeping longer is associated with lower calcification.

Let’s review the research and reviews from 2008 that looked at CAM options to treat insomnia. (more…)

The use of prayer is rarely queried in surveys of CAM use. Here are the highlights from a Centers for Disease Control survey on the use of CAM. It’s based on interviews with more than 31,000 adults. The report is available here (then go to the “Barnes PM” link) and here. (more…)