Researchers in the UK and Columbia reviewed the association between chocolate and the risk of developing cardiometabolic disorders — high blood pressure, abnormally high glucose, elevated triglycerides, low “good” cholesterol, abdominal obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity. Continue reading Benefits of chocolate on the heart
Benefits of physical therapy in institutionalized patients
Does extra physical therapy reduce length of stay and improve patient outcomes in people with various conditions.
Researchers at La Trobe University, in Victoria, Australia reviewed the evidence? Continue reading Benefits of physical therapy in institutionalized patients
Growth through caregiving
The conventional view of family caregivers highlights their burdens.
Researchers from Singapore found that caregivers may also find “meaning and enrichment in their caregiving journey.” Continue reading Growth through caregiving
Treating tennis elbow with prolotherapy
Researchers at the Lahey Clinic, in Burlington, Massachusetts, compared prolotherapy vs corticosteroid injection to treat tennis elbow (chronic lateral epicondylosis).
Prolotherapy involves injecting an otherwise inactive irritant into the body to strengthen weakened connective tissue and alleviate pain. Continue reading Treating tennis elbow with prolotherapy
Review: Buteyko Method
Dr. Rosalba Courtney from New South Wales, Australia gives us the details.
Here’s what we about the Buteyko (photo) method. Continue reading Review: Buteyko Method
First study of music therapy in organ transplant patients
Organ transplant recipients experience high levels of anxiety, pain, and nausea.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota, conducted the first study on the effects of music therapy on solid organ transplant patients. Continue reading First study of music therapy in organ transplant patients
Tools that help seniors stay independent
The television and telephone are as advanced as some seniors will ever get with communications.
GigaNano has a dizzying list of options to keep gramps compliant with drug treatment and in touch with family and healthcare providers. Continue reading Tools that help seniors stay independent
Garlic and blood pressure control: Does study design matter?
Researchers at Radboud University Medical Centre, in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, believe that flawed study design may contribute to confusion on the value of garlic to control hypertension. Continue reading Garlic and blood pressure control: Does study design matter?
Looking for mechanisms to explain stress reduction with yoga
Studies commonly report less stress among people who practice yoga. Examples are here in pregnancy, here among musicians, and here in healthy women and cancer survivors.
This study, by Ohio State University researchers searched for the mechanism underlying the benefit. Continue reading Looking for mechanisms to explain stress reduction with yoga
Red tea doesn’t lower blood pressure
Cochrane reviewed the effect of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on blood pressure in hypertensive adults. Continue reading Red tea doesn’t lower blood pressure
Comparing exercise programs in people with osteoarthritis
Reduced aerobic capacity in people osteoarthritis of the lower limbs affects independence and the ability to perform everyday activities.
Researchers at Universidad de Extremadura, in Spain, reviewed exercise programs and the ability to perform activities require sustained aerobic metabolism. Continue reading Comparing exercise programs in people with osteoarthritis
Adding omega-3 to diet and exercise to increase weight loss
In addition to the metabolic and cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, it’s suggested there’s a weight loss-enhancing benefit to this supplement.
Researchers at The Cooper Institute, in Dallas, Texas, studied the response by a group of overweight people. Continue reading Adding omega-3 to diet and exercise to increase weight loss
Exercise lessens symptoms of the common cold
Researchers at Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina, studied the effects of physical activity and fitness levels on the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Continue reading Exercise lessens symptoms of the common cold
Do CAM users feel healthier?
CAM is used by about 4 of 10 adults in the US; but little is known about the association between CAM use and health status.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, surveyed people about the relationship between their CAM use and perceived health status. Continue reading Do CAM users feel healthier?
Why do some people insist on tanning?
People who say they’re addicted to tanning act like alcoholics and drug addicts.
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas, think they know why. Continue reading Why do some people insist on tanning?
Herbal supplements: Caveat Emptor
Researchers at the University of Leeds, in Woodhouse, evaluated written information provided with commonly used herbal products in the UK in advance of a European Union Directive that tightens regulations for some herbal products, including requirements to provide safety information. Continue reading Herbal supplements: Caveat Emptor
Benefits of music therapy for cancer patients
Having cancer may result in emotional, physical, and social suffering. Music interventions have been used to alleviate symptoms and treatment side effects in cancer patients.
The authors of this Cochrane review report the response to music among cancer patients. Continue reading Benefits of music therapy for cancer patients
Sumarizing the mental health implications of music therapy
Researchers at Kaohsiung Medical University, in Taiwan reviewed the evidence related to music’s effect on people with different mental illnesses. Continue reading Sumarizing the mental health implications of music therapy
Moxibustion to treat diabetes mellitus
It’s commonly done in East Asian countries.
Researchers at Kyung Hee University, in Seoul, South Korea, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Moxibustion to treat diabetes mellitus
Another dopey cannabis study
The left coast is a source of many useless studies of “medical” marijuana.
Here’s another from researchers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, in Kelowna, British Columbia. Continue reading Another dopey cannabis study