Researchers at the University of Manchester, in the UK, studied the clinical impact of telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exercise alone vs both for patients with chronic widespread pain. Continue reading Telephone-delivered CBT and exercise to treat chronic widespread pain
Comparing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy
In the past few years this weblog has published dozens of entries on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Therefore, it’s a good time to define and distinguish between these psychological treatment options.
Continue reading Comparing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy
Stroke as an opportunity for the chiropractic profession
Dr. Donald Murphy is Clinical Director of the Rhode Island Spine Center and a member of the Clinical Faculty at Brown University School of Medicine and the Postgraduate Faculty of 4 chiropractic schools.
Here’s his perspective on cervical manipulation, stroke, and what does it mean for the chiropractic profession. Continue reading Stroke as an opportunity for the chiropractic profession
Cannabis and the genetic vulnerability for depression
Evidence for the association between cannabis and depression is inconsistent.
Researchers at Radboud University Nijmegen, in The Netherlands, evaluated the potential influence of a person’s genetics on the cannabis/depression risk. Continue reading Cannabis and the genetic vulnerability for depression
Acupuncture to prevent dry mouth after radiation therapy
Xerostomia (dry mouth) after head/neck radiation is a common problem among cancer patients, and available treatments are of little benefit.
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center determined whether acupuncture can prevent xerostomia among head/neck patients undergoing radiotherapy. Continue reading Acupuncture to prevent dry mouth after radiation therapy
Safety of acupuncture in children
Researchers at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, reviewed the adverse events associated with needle acupuncture in children. Continue reading Safety of acupuncture in children
E-cigs from a public health perspective
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have experienced rapid growth in popularity, but little is known about how they are used.
Researchers at the Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, in Hershey, surveyed the pattern of e-cig use and their impact on tobacco use. Continue reading E-cigs from a public health perspective
Vitamin D and high blood pressure in African-Americans
Higher prevalence of hypertension among African Americans is a key cause of racial disparity in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Researchers in New York and California assessed the contribution of vitamin D to racial disparity in blood pressure. Continue reading Vitamin D and high blood pressure in African-Americans
Sodium effects on blood pressure
Just how effective is a low sodium diet to treat high blood pressure?
This Cochrane review presents the evidence. Continue reading Sodium effects on blood pressure
Marijuana and brain volume changes in people at high risk of schizophrenia
Researchers at Royal Edinburgh Hospital, in the UK are the first to follow patients over 2 years. Continue reading Marijuana and brain volume changes in people at high risk of schizophrenia
Reviewing the reviews of tai chi
Prof. Ernst and a colleague critically evaluated the systematic reviews of tai chi for any improvement of medical conditions or clinical symptoms. Continue reading Reviewing the reviews of tai chi
Might vitamin D prevent death?
In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Nis, in Serbia, assessed the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin D for prevention of mortality in adults. Continue reading Might vitamin D prevent death?
Defining the effect of coffee on blood pressure
Some say drinking coffee is associated with slightly higher blood pressure. However, these studies followed patients for less than 85 days.
Researchers around the US collaborated to review the results of longer term studies. Continue reading Defining the effect of coffee on blood pressure
No regulatory double standard for natural health products
That’s the editorial position of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Here’s their reasoning. Continue reading No regulatory double standard for natural health products
CAM Archive: Effect of exercise intensity and belly fat
If you exercise enough, is it possible to selectively lose abdominal fat?
No, say researchers at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and the State University of New York at Buffalo. Continue reading CAM Archive: Effect of exercise intensity and belly fat
CAM Archive: Singing by people with cystic fibrosis?
They are at risk for respiratory infections due to excessive mucus in their airways. Airway clearance is therefore an important part of cystic fibrosis management.
This Cochrane review analyzed the evidence. Continue reading CAM Archive: Singing by people with cystic fibrosis?
CAM Archive: Flawed study designs in acupuncture
A couple of years ago Prof. Ernst evaluated the risk of bias in studies of acupuncture that use the A + B versus B study design. Continue reading CAM Archive: Flawed study designs in acupuncture
Taking “medical food” during pregnancy
Researchers in the US and Mexico studied the value of taking supplements with a medical food — bars containing L-arginine + antioxidant vitamins — on the risk of pre-eclampsia. Continue reading Taking “medical food” during pregnancy
CAM: It might be “natural,” but is it safe?
Not always, according to this report from the Royal Children’s Hospital, in Melbourne, Australia. Continue reading CAM: It might be “natural,” but is it safe?
The chiropractic table. Is it contaminiated?
Researchers at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, in Toronto, recorded the attitudes and behaviors of chiropractors regarding table disinfection. Continue reading The chiropractic table. Is it contaminiated?