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Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Feb 2019Sensory processing is affected in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Genetic and environmental factors guide the... (Review)
Review
Sensory processing is affected in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Genetic and environmental factors guide the formation and fine-tuning of brain circuitry necessary to receive, organize, and respond to sensory input in order to behave in a meaningful and consistent manner. During certain developmental stages the brain is sensitive to intrinsic and external factors. For example, disturbed expression levels of certain risk genes during critical neurodevelopmental periods may lead to exaggerated brain plasticity processes within the sensory circuits, and sensory stimulation immediately after birth contributes to fine-tuning of these circuits. Here, the neurodevelopmental trajectory of sensory circuit development will be described and related to some example risk gene mutations that are found in neuropsychiatric disorders. Subsequently, the flow of sensory information through these circuits and the relationship to synaptic plasticity will be described. Research focusing on the combined analyses of neural circuit development and functioning are necessary to expand our understanding of sensory processing and behavioral deficits that are relevant across the neuropsychiatric spectrum.
Topics: Animals; Auditory Perception; Cerebral Cortex; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Mental Disorders; Neural Pathways; Neuronal Plasticity; Neurons; Perception; Sensory Gating; Thalamus; Touch Perception; Visual Perception
PubMed: 29496479
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.010 -
Journal of Alternative and... Aug 2017Biofield therapies offer a novel, non-invasive approach to treating chronic diseases based on assessing and adjusting an individual's physiological and emotional... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Biofield therapies offer a novel, non-invasive approach to treating chronic diseases based on assessing and adjusting an individual's physiological and emotional responses through their bio-energetic field. Reconnective Healing (RH) is defined as: "…not just energy healing, but instead a more comprehensive spectrum of healing composed of energy, light, and information."
OBJECTIVES
Several biofield therapies, such as Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Johrei, have already been reviewed in the literature but RH has received little attention even though it is taught and practiced worldwide. This review provides a critical assessment of RH as a healing modality.
METHODS
Scientific research articles published in peer-reviewed journals addressing RH were identified using relevant databases and archives. Information was extracted from each article that met selection criteria for evaluation of quality of reporting and design. This review summarizes and critically evaluates the five currently published peer-reviewed research papers involving RH and assesses whether RH provides consistent physiological outcomes between the studies.
RESULTS
These results, taken together, suggest: (i) exposure of a healer or healee to RH, either directly or indirectly, amplifies their degree of autonomic arousal and energy, (ii) RH can reduce pain and improve range of motion in people with shoulder limitations, and (iii) when individuals experience RH as a group, their autonomic nervous systems simultaneously show sudden similar responses consistent with the idea that RH is mitigated by entrainment of biofields.
CONCLUSIONS
Since these studies are extremely varied in design it is not possible at this point to reach conclusions about the general effectiveness of RH. More clinical and physiological research performed on different populations under a range of conditions is needed in order to support this healthcare approach.
Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 28654301
DOI: 10.1089/acm.2015.0218 -
ESMO Open 2018In the last decades, the survival of many patients with cancer improved thanks to modern diagnostic methods and progresses in therapy. Still for several tumours,... (Review)
Review
In the last decades, the survival of many patients with cancer improved thanks to modern diagnostic methods and progresses in therapy. Still for several tumours, especially when diagnosed at an advanced stage, the benefits of treatment in terms of increased survival or quality of life are at best modest when not marginal, and should be weighed against the potential discomfort caused by medical procedures. As in other specialties, in oncology as well the dialogue between doctor and patient should be encouraged about the potential overuse of diagnostic procedures or treatments. Several oncological societies produced recommendations similar to those proposed by other medical disciplines adhering to the Choosing Wisely (CW) campaign. In this review, we describe what was reported in the medical literature concerning adequacy of screening, diagnostic, treatment and follow-up procedures and the potential impact on them of the CW. We only marginally touch on the more complex topic of treatment appropriateness, for which several evaluation methods have been developed (including the European Society for Medical Oncology-magnitude of clinical benefit scale). Finally, we review the possible obstacles for the development of CW in the oncological setting and focus on the strategies which could allow CW to evolve in the cancer field, so as to enhance the therapeutic relationship between medical professionals and patients and promote more appropriate management.
PubMed: 30018817
DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2018-000382 -
American Family Physician May 2008Trigeminal neuralgia is an uncommon disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinating pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Typically, brief attacks are... (Review)
Review
Trigeminal neuralgia is an uncommon disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinating pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Typically, brief attacks are triggered by talking, chewing, teeth brushing, shaving, a light touch, or even a cool breeze. The pain is nearly always unilateral, and it may occur repeatedly throughout the day. The diagnosis is typically determined clinically, although imaging studies or referral for specialized testing may be necessary to rule out other diseases. Accurate and prompt diagnosis is important because the pain of trigeminal neuralgia can be severe. Carbamazepine is the drug of choice for the initial treatment of trigeminal neuralgia; however, baclofen, gabapentin, and other drugs may provide relief in refractory cases. Neurosurgical treatments may help patients in whom medical therapy is unsuccessful or poorly tolerated.
Topics: Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Carbamazepine; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Physical Examination; Trigeminal Neuralgia
PubMed: 18540495
DOI: No ID Found -
Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem 2022to know the repercussions of a Reiki therapy intervention on the sleep quality of nursing professionals working in a general hospital.
OBJECTIVES
to know the repercussions of a Reiki therapy intervention on the sleep quality of nursing professionals working in a general hospital.
METHODS
a qualitative-quantitative study conducted with 16 professionals from the nursing team of a hospital in northwest Paraná, who participated in an intervention consisting of six weekly Reiki sessions. Data collected from September, 2019 to March, 2020 through semi-structured interviews and application of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before and after the intervention.
RESULTS
better sleep quality, characterized by a reduction in the time to fall asleep and in nightmares, and an increase in sleeping hours.
CONCLUSIONS
reiki intervention had a positive impact on the sleep quality of participants.
Topics: Health Promotion; Hospitals; Humans; Qualitative Research; Sleep Quality; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 35976274
DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2021-0535 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2012Chemoattractant cytokines or chemokines constitute a family of structurally related proteins found in vertebrates, bacteria, or viruses. So far, 48 chemokine genes have...
Chemoattractant cytokines or chemokines constitute a family of structurally related proteins found in vertebrates, bacteria, or viruses. So far, 48 chemokine genes have been identified in humans, which bind to around 20 chemokine receptors. These receptors belong to the seven transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor family. Chemokines and their receptors were originally studied for their role in cellular trafficking of leukocytes during inflammation and immune surveillance. It is now known that they exert different functions under physiological conditions such as homeostasis, development, tissue repair, and angiogenesis but also under pathological disorders including tumorigenesis, cancer metastasis, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Physicochemical properties of chemokines and chemokine receptors confer the ability to homo- and hetero-oligomerize. Many efforts are currently performed in establishing new therapeutically compounds able to target the chemokine/chemokine receptor system. In this review, we are interested in the role of chemokines in inflammatory disease and leukocyte trafficking with a focus on vascular inflammatory diseases, the operating synergism, and the emerging therapeutic approaches of chemokines.
PubMed: 22807925
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00175 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2022Reiki is an energy healing technique or biofield therapy in which an attuned therapist places their hands on or near the client's body and sends energy to the client to...
BACKGROUND
Reiki is an energy healing technique or biofield therapy in which an attuned therapist places their hands on or near the client's body and sends energy to the client to activate the body's ability to heal itself and restore balance. It was developed in Japan at the end of the 19th century by Mikao Usui of Kyoto. Given the enormous international socioeconomic burden of mental health, inexpensive, safe, and evidenced-based treatments would be welcomed. Reiki is safe, inexpensive, and preliminary research suggests it may assist in treating a wide variety of illnesses. Given that Reiki is a biofield therapy, growing in use, and not yet accepted by the dominant biomedical paradigm, it is important to establish its effectiveness over placebo. This study aimed to examine Reiki's effectiveness over placebo in treating symptoms of mental health and to explore parameters for its effectiveness.
METHOD
A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials (RPCTs) examining Reiki's effectiveness in treating symptoms of mental health in adults was conducted through a systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's Revised ROB 2 assessment tool. This was followed by a grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations (GRADE) assessment.
RESULTS
The evidence to date suggests that Reiki consistently demonstrates a greater therapeutic effect over placebo for some symptoms of mental health. The GRADE level of evidence is high for clinically relevant levels of stress and depression, moderate to high for clinically relevant levels of anxiety, low to moderate for normal levels of stress, and low to moderate for burnout, and low for normal levels of depression and anxiety.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that, Reiki may be more effective in treating some areas of mental health, than placebo, particularly if symptoms are clinically relevant. To date, there are a small number of studies in each area, therefore findings are inconclusive and, more RCTs controlling for placebo in Reiki research are needed. Most included studies were also assessed as having a risk of bias of some concern. Incorporating Reiki as a complementary treatment to mainstream psychotherapy for depression, stress, and anxiety may be appropriate.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/], identifier [CRD42020194311].
PubMed: 35911042
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897312 -
Medical Journal, Armed Forces India 2023Traditionally, millets were the earliest food to be domesticated by human beings and it constituted the staple food for various civilisations across Asia and Africa.... (Review)
Review
Traditionally, millets were the earliest food to be domesticated by human beings and it constituted the staple food for various civilisations across Asia and Africa. Somehow, during the course of modernization, the production and consumption of millets has declined significantly. Government of India has taken a lead role and has launched widescale strategies to promote millets in order to make India a global hub for millets. Millets has immense potential in enhancing the socioeconomic and health status of people. Regular consumption of millets translates into better post prandial blood glucose and better HbA1c levels. Millets mitigates atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk by lowering insulin resistance, better glycemic control, lowering non high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, lowering BP and by virtue of presence of various antioxidants. There is a need to revive the awareness about nutritive and therapeutic values of millets. Scientific community is increasingly realising the enormous potential of millets in enhancing the nutritional quality of the population and as a tool to halt the global pandemic of lifestyle diseases.
PubMed: 37193512
DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2023.04.001 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2017Phytochemicals are an important part of traditional medicine and have been investigated in detail for possible inclusion in modern medicine as well. These compounds... (Review)
Review
Phytochemicals are an important part of traditional medicine and have been investigated in detail for possible inclusion in modern medicine as well. These compounds often serve as the backbone for the synthesis of novel therapeutic agents. For many years, phytochemicals have demonstrated encouraging activity against various human cancer models in pre-clinical assays. Here, we discuss select phytochemicals-curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, plumbagin and honokiol-in the context of their reported effects on the processes of inflammation and oxidative stress, which play a key role in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the emerging evidence on modulation of tumor microenvironment by these phytochemicals which can possibly define their cancer-specific action. Finally, we provide recent updates on how low bioavailability, a major concern with phytochemicals, is being circumvented and the general efficacy being improved, by synthesis of novel chemical analogs and nanoformulations.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Neoplasms; Oxidative Stress; Phytochemicals; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 28273819
DOI: 10.3390/molecules22030395 -
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences 2022Change in theoretical framework over the last decades and recent research in pediatric physiotherapy, has created a debate surrounding therapeutic touch. What is the...
Change in theoretical framework over the last decades and recent research in pediatric physiotherapy, has created a debate surrounding therapeutic touch. What is the role of or is there a need for handling and hands-on facilitated guidance (facilitation)? Does it limit and/or interfere with children's learning and development? It is frequently argued that therapeutic touch represents a passive and/or static approach that restricts disabled children's participation during interaction and activity in clinical encounters leading to decreased home, school and community participation. Touch may even appear as coercive and controlling. In this context, therapeutic touch is largely associated with physical hands-on activities. However, therapeutic touch can also be understood as an intersubjective phenomenon that arises from a deep connection between movement, perception, and action. We believe the significance of therapeutic touch and its impact on physiotherapy for children has not been considered from this broader, holistic perspective. In this theoretical paper, we will apply enactive concepts of embodiment, sensory-motor agency, coordination, and emergence to explore the concept and importance of touch in physiotherapists' clinical face-to face encounters with children. We will frame the discussion within the context of the typical sensorimotor development of children from the fetal stage to birth on and into adulthood. Moreover, we will rely on biological, physiological, and phenomenological insights to provide an extended understanding of the importance of touch and the significance of touch in clinical practice.
PubMed: 36189075
DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.893551