The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for the 'Sleep (Insomnia)' Category

Up in smoke: Medical marijuana debunked

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015

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Proponents of the use of medical marijuana like to start speeches and articles by quickly stating that cannabinoids are of proven value in treating many diseases.

Poppycock. This site has stated repeatedly: not true, not true, not true.

Now the evidence is in, and we were right. JAMA confirms that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabinoids is tenuous at best. And risk of side effects with cannabinoids to treat anything is high.

(more…)

Effects of red ginseng extract on sleep in healthy volunteers

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013

ginssengThe ginseng root has been traditionally used as a sedative.

Researchers at Kwandong University, in Gangreung, Republic of Korea studied the response to red ginseng extract by human volunteers. (more…)

How much sleep do children need?

Monday, February 13th, 2012

There’s a common belief that children don’t get enough sleep.

Researchers at the University of South Australia, in Adelaide, described historical trends in recommended and actual sleep durations for children and adolescents. (more…)

Pomegranate seed oil and menopausal symptoms

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna reported disappointing results. (more…)

Mayo Clinic lists the benefits of yoga

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

… and other things you should know.

The authors tell us, “Yoga is considered a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice. (more…)

Effect of insufficient sleep on dieting

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Researchers at the University of Chicago, in Illinois, determined whether sleep restriction attenuates the effect of dieting on excess adiposity. (more…)

Effect of valerian on sleep quality

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

About 50% of postmenopausal women experience sleep disturbances such as insomnia.

Researchers at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, in Iran, evaluated the effects of valerian extract taken nightly. (more…)

CAM for insomnia?

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

It’s probably one of the most popular uses of CAM.

Researchers in Australia reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Effects of gentle yoga on sleep

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Researchers at the University of Washington, in Seattle, studied changes in sleep in older women with osteoarthritis. (more…)

Sumarizing the mental health implications of music therapy

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

Researchers at Kaohsiung Medical University, in Taiwan reviewed the evidence related to music’s effect on people with different mental illnesses. (more…)

Benefits of yoga in cancer survivors

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Researchers at the Cancer Centers of the Carolinas, in Seneca, South Carolina, studied the effects of the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program on sleep, fatigue, and quality of life.

The results were reported during the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. (more…)

Effect of CBT for insomnia on suicidal ideation

Friday, June 17th, 2011

During the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (abstract 0716) researchers in Illinois and California reported results from the first study of sleep-focused therapy on suicide risk. (more…)

Using CAM to improve the lives of cancer patients

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

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…)

Sleep to help lose weight

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

Researchers in California and Wisconsin tell us, “Sleep duration may be an important regulator of body weight and metabolism.”

So, they studied changes in metabolic hormones and their potential relationship to weight loss. (more…)

Treatment options for insomnia in children and adults

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

Chronic insomnia affects nearly 16% of adults and up to 25% of children.

If you’re in this group, researchers from the University of North Texas list non-drug treatment options that will prepare you for your doctor’s visit. (more…)

Review: Melatonin to treat autism spectrum disorders

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

Sleep disturbance is common in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and melatonin is widely prescribed despite a lack of guidelines.

Researchers in France reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Review: Mind-body treatments for insomnia

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Researchers at Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, in Brazil, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Light therapy for depressed older people

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

Major depressive disorder in elderly individuals is prevalent and debilitating.

Researchers from the Netherlands measured the response to bright light therapy (BLT) in elderly patients with major depressive disorder. (more…)

Massage-myofacial release therapy in fibromyalgia

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Fascia is the soft tissue component of connective tissue that supports and protects muscles. Myofascial release is a soft tissue therapy used to treat pain and restricted motion.

Researchers at the University of Almería, in Spain, looked for improvement in pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life. (more…)

Review of acupuncture to treat insomnia

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Chinese researchers at Beijing Hospital of Chinese Medicine, in China, reviewed the evidence and concluded that research “in line with evidence-based medicine is urgently needed.” (more…)