by Jeffery Jonathan Jos Davis  , Florian Schübeler  and Robert Kozma

Received: 26 November 2018;  Published: 04 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901015

(1) Background: Psychophysiological coherence has been widely studied as a bodily state associated with general well-being and cognitive clarity. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been shown to be a good biomarker to assess psychophysiological coherence. This paper presents the first general set of results concerning a study that is part of a team effort between a body of researchers in five countries led by the HeartMath Institute under the name, International Heart Rate Variability Synchronization Study (IHRVS). T [...]

by James David Adams

Received: 25 February 2019;  Published: 27 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901014

The nervous system is everywhere in the body, especially in the skin. Ancient Chinese acupuncture charts show us that the nerves are all connected and can work together to promote health. This connection occurs through the brain and brain stem. It is clear that acupuncture is analgesic by inhibition of transient receptor potential cation channels in the skin [1]. The role of chemokines in pain is becoming understood. Chemokines promote pain in the skin and activate ascending neural pathways that regulate chemo [...]

by Istvan Széchenyi

Received: 16 October 2018;  Published: 26 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901013

(1) Background: In the international auriculotherapy practice there are relatively big differences in the exact localization of one and the same ear acupuncture point. On one hand, there are specialists who devote their efforts to find the active points. In that case it becomes intriguing that near of the point to be treated there may be another one (at 1-2 mm distance) indicating a relatively strong, even stronger activity than the one they were initially aiming to find. That point may be active because of anothe [...]

by Gunnel Berry

Received: 13 April 2018;  Published: 25 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901012

Abstract Chronic pain is notoriously multifactorial, multifaceted and difficult to treat. There is no known therapy recommended for chronic pain. Existence, or non-existence, of whiplash injury after a road traffic accident (RTA) has been discussed in literature and the press. Dishonest claims of a whiplash injury affect insurance premiums and call into question the plausibility of those who really do suffer after a motor vehicle accident. Twenty per cent of reported whiplash-injured persons end up with chronic pa [...]

by Paul D. Loprinzi  , Emily Frith  and Faith Harris

Received: 17 December 2018;  Published: 21 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901011

Background: Learning and memory, unquestionably, is critical for many aspects of life, including acquisition and retention of educational material. The purpose of this brief narrative review is to provide a primer on empirical-based, learning and memory techniques. Methods: A narrative review approach is employed. Results: This review is structured by first discussing contextual factors that influence learning and memory; followed by addressing different levels of learning processing; and lastly, we highlight sever [...]

by Peta Stapleton  , Craig Buchan  , Ian MItchell  , Yasmin McGrath  , Paul Gorton  and Brett Carter

Received: 11 December 2018;  Published: 15 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901010

Background: This pilot randomised clinical trial investigated the effect of an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) intervention on brain activation in response to food craving stimuli using functional magnetic resonance imaging. EFT is a brief stress reduction technique which involves stating a cognitive statement with somatic tapping on acupressure points. Method: Fifteen overweight/obese adults were allocated to a four-week group EFT treatment or control condition. Random repeating images of high-calorie food des [...]

by Robert Marx  and Lisa Burroughes

Received: 13 October 2018;  Published: 02 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901009

Background: Training is generally not available for those wishing to deliver non 8 week Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) adapted for specific contexts and populations. A new model for training in MBIs is developed with the following principle components: teaching on theory, participation in a practice, followed by teaching the practice and receiving feedback, and consultation and discussion of live mindfulness-based work. Methods: A quantitative and qualitative evaluation is presented of the experience of [...]

by Rosaria Ferreri  , Simonetta Bernardini  , Franco Cracolici  and Francesca Bechini

Received: 29 September 2018;  Published: 01 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901008

Background. Complementary medicines (CM: homeopathy and acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine) have been introduced for cancer patients under treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the Pitigliano Hospital Centre of Integrated Medicine to minimize the side effects of these treatments, improving quality of life and adherence to conventional therapies. Methods. Two hundred and forty cancer patients were enrolled in an integrated care model offering a comprehensive protocol including homeopathy and acupunc [...]

by Sharon Freeman Clevenger

Received: 25 November 2018;  Published: 31 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901007

The cornerstone of health care practice is the provision of competent, compassionate care. Compassion is usually thought of when applied toward others; however, self-compassion promotes well-being, mental health, reduces fatigue and “burn-out” in health care practitioners. While most health care practitioners would agree with the importance of demonstrating compassion, a troubling report found that medical students who are approaching the end of their education; which, is when the highest amount of direct patient [...]

by Franco Cracolici  , Simonetta Bernardini  and Rosaria Ferreri

Received: 14 October 2018;  Published: 30 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901006

Background: Acupuncture is an innovative and scientific supported option to treat oncological patients and seems to be an effective palliative care option. In the region of Tuscany, at the Palliative Care Department of “Misericordia” Grosseto Hospital a real integration of acupuncture in Palliative Medicine has been started. The objective of this work is to retrospectively evaluate the effects of the integrated medical approach in a palliative care unit. Methods: Medical records of the cancer patients belonging to [...]