Researchers at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina, studied the response to hydrotherapy (immersion or bathing) in women in spontaneous labor. Continue reading Hydrotherapy promotes relaxation and less anxiety and pain in labor
Category Archives: K. SPECIAL GROUPS
Vitamin A supplements prevent morbidity and mortality in children
Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in low and middle income countries and can lead to many adverse health consequences, including death.
This Cochrane review evaluated the effect of vitamin A supplementation in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Continue reading Vitamin A supplements prevent morbidity and mortality in children
Group music therapy for agitation in dementia
Researchers at Taipei Medical University, in Taiwan, explored the effectiveness of group music sessions to manage agitation in elderly persons with dementia. Continue reading Group music therapy for agitation in dementia
Chiropractic care of infants with colic
Researchers in Pennsylvania and California reviewed the evidence on the chiropractic care of patients with infantile colic. Continue reading Chiropractic care of infants with colic
Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of dying from pneumonia
Vitamin D plays a role in the immune response to infection.
Researchers in New Zealand studied whether vitamin D deficiency was associated with a lower immune response and worse outcomes in patients admitted to the hospital with community-acquired pneumonia. Continue reading Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of dying from pneumonia
Review: Botanicals to reduce skin aging and wrinkling
Prof. Ernst tells us, “Although topical creams and other anti-aging products purport to reduce the appearance of aging and skin wrinkling, there has been no critical analysis in the scientific literature of their effectiveness.”
Get ready. Continue reading Review: Botanicals to reduce skin aging and wrinkling
Massage vs music therapy to relieve labor pain
During labor, women experience intense, stressful, and steady pain.
Researchers at Ilam University of Medical Sciences, in Iran compared 2 nonpharmacologic treatment options. Continue reading Massage vs music therapy to relieve labor pain
Review: Probiotics to treat diarrhea
Here are 2 Cochrane reviews that evaluate the evidence for using probiotics to treat persistent diarrhea, and the value of probiotics + rehydration to treat diarrhea.
Dalcroze eurhythmics reduces falls in the elderly
Falls occur mainly while walking or performing concurrent tasks.
Researcher in Switzerland studied whether a music-based multitask exercise program (Dalcroze eurhythmics) improves gait and balance and reduces fall risk in elderly individuals. Continue reading Dalcroze eurhythmics reduces falls in the elderly
Tai chi improves low balance confidence
Fear of falling may lead to activity restriction that is self-imposed rather than due to actual physical impairments.
Researchers in Canada and Israel reviewed CAM treatment options. Continue reading Tai chi improves low balance confidence
Environmental factors that increase wheezing in children
Dr. Gordon Bloomberg is professor of pediatrics in the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Pulmonary Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, in St Louis, Missouri.
He has reviewed the influence of factors that affect recurrent wheezing in young children. Continue reading Environmental factors that increase wheezing in children
Huperzine A treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Most drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease are classified as cholinesterase inhibitors.
Researchers in California and Washington DC studied huperzine A, a natural cholinesterase inhibitor derived from the Chinese herb Huperzia serrata. Continue reading Huperzine A treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Tai chi and the risk of cognitive decline
Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have reported the interim findings of the effects of a mind body physical exercise (tai chi) on cognitive function in Chinese people at risk of cognitive decline. Continue reading Tai chi and the risk of cognitive decline
Accumulating evidence supports music therapy for depression
Researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla, in Finland, studied the benefits of music therapy when added to standard care among working-age people with depression. Continue reading Accumulating evidence supports music therapy for depression
Starting palliative care earlier in lung cancer patients
Patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer have substantial symptoms and may receive aggressive care at the end of life.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, report improvement with earlier initiation of palliative care. Continue reading Starting palliative care earlier in lung cancer patients
Long-term benefits of exercise on fall prevention in the elderly
Home-based exercises are effective, according to researchers in Finland. Continue reading Long-term benefits of exercise on fall prevention in the elderly
Effect of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in IVF
Infertility affects about 6.1 million people in the United States, about 10% of men and women of reproductive age. New and advanced technologies to help a woman become pregnant include in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Researchers at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago, Illinois, compared the influence of “true” versus “sham” acupuncture on pregnancy rates of women undergoing IVF. Continue reading Effect of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in IVF
Treatment options for insomnia in children and adults
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. Continue reading Treatment options for insomnia in children and adults
OPAL (Older People And omega-3 Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids)
Over 2 years, researchers from the UK and Australia followed almost 900 septuagenarians for any benefits on cognition from omega-3 supplementation. Continue reading OPAL (Older People And omega-3 Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids)
Lovass and behavioral intervention for autism
It’s believed that early intensive behavioral and developmental interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may enhance developmental outcomes.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee reviewed the evidence in children aged 12 and younger with ASDs. Continue reading Lovass and behavioral intervention for autism