by Naoki Ohkura  , Gen-ichi Atsumi  , Seima Uehara  , Mitsuhiro Ohta  and Masahiko Taniguchi

Received: 18 July 2018;  Published: 23 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901005

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition comprising a combination of glucose metabolism disorder, high blood pressure and obesity. The main underlying risk factors for metabolic syndrome are abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can be effective against these aspects of metabolic syndrome. Angelica keiskei Koidzumi (ashitaba) is a large perennial herb that is native to the South East Pacific coast of Japan, and it has recently become popular as a herbal m [...]

by Suzie Jokic  , Nicole Jacqueline Albrecht  and Sue Erica Smith

Received: 15 July 2018;  Published: 23 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901004

(1) Background: Adult learners often engage in formal education because they want to create changes in their lives and are determined to succeed in their chosen field. However, they also come with emotional “baggage” of early educational experiences, frequently have to deal with a multitude of competing demands, have financial strain, may face a lack of support, illness and/or injury. In addition, they are often dealing with the challenges of unfamiliar academic work, competing deadlines and initially lack basi [...]

by Andrew Villamil  , Talya Vogel  , Elli Weisbaum  and Daniel J. Siegel

Received: 03 October 2018;  Published: 16 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901003

Research on the physiological and emotional health benefits of meditative practices has grown exponentially over the last two decades, influencing both scientific literature and popular media. Research has highlighted three distinct components or pillars at the core of meditative practices and mind training. They are, focused attention, open awareness, and kind intention. Neuroimaging studies and recent research, highlight that the repeated practice of directing attention and awareness can enhance neural connection [...]

by Selma A. Augusta Quist Møller  , Shauna L. Shapiro  and Sohrab Sami

Received: 04 July 2018;  Published: 06 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901002

Background. This article systematically reviews methodologically rigorous randomized-controlled trials examining the health benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion interventions in medical and/ or mental health populations. Method. Searches were conducted on PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science in March 2018. Out of 2427 results (276 for Self-compassion interventions), 47 publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and nine publications were selected for self-compassi [...]

by Randye J. Semple  and Christine Burke

Received: 20 August 2018;  Published: 04 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901001

Background: Research support for a variety of health benefits of mindfulness-based interventions for adults is robust. These include management of stress, anxiety, and depression; as a supportive treatment for eating disorders, PTSD, and psychosis; improved sleep; chronic pain management; support for tobacco, alcohol, and substance abstinence; and as adjunctive treatments for serious or chronic medical illnesses such as HIV, cancer, and heart diseases. As is typical with newer interventions, mindfulness interventio [...]

by J. Kim Penberthy  , Dinesh Chhabra  , J. Morgan Penberthy  , Nina Avitabile  , Ngan Le  , Yiqin Roger Xu  , Seara Mainor  , Natalie Schiavone  , Paul Katzenstein  and Janet E Lewis

Received: 18 April 2018;  Published: 28 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804039

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by symptoms including chronic fatigue, joint pain, swelling, skin rashes, pain, and anemia. Symptoms can flare or be in remission unpredictably, often affect multiple organ systems, and can be life-threatening. SLE is more prevalent in females and persons of color, but is not a widely prevalent disease. Perhaps because of this fact, there have been minimal advances in effective new behavioral or psychotherapeutic interventions for peo [...]

by Joseph V. Pergolizzi  , Robert Taylor  , Robert B. Raffa  and Jo Anne LeQuang

Received: 27 July 2018;  Published: 28 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804038

(1) Background: The leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), a tropical tree indigenous to Southeast Asia, have been used traditionally to increase stamina, as a digestive aid, and for pain relief. Defined as a novel psychoactive substance, it is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, aided by availability through the Internet. (2) Methods: PubMed and MedLine searches were conducted of published articles available in English. (3) Results: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the primary ps [...]

by Andrew Hede

Received: 27 July 2018;  Published: 23 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804037

Background: Meditation has developed over many centuries within a diverse range of religious traditions including Middle-Eastern, Indian, and East-Asian. Of these, mindfulness meditation from the Buddhist (Indian) tradition, has been the most extensively adopted in the Western secular world primarily with applications in health and well-being as pioneered by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Review: While originally developed to treat chronic pain and stress in the U.S., mindfulness training was later coupled with cognitive-behavior [...]

by Peta Stapleton  , Ulf Sandstrom  and Gunilla Hamne

Received: 12 September 2018;  Published: 22 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804036

(1) Background: This feasibility trial investigated whether a 3-week self-help model for stress reduction using the Trauma Tapping Technique (TTT) would impact traumatized youth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on post-traumatic stress symptoms and general happiness. It was also focussed on the acceptability of the program to recipients and implementation in a community with complex trauma and conflict. (2) Methods: The study involved 77 youth who received a TTT 3-week model of intervention (self-applied). [...]

by James David Adams

Received: 14 January 2018;  Published: 19 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804035

Background: This study presents several anecdotal case reports of chronic pain patients cured with two different plant medicines from the Chumash Indian tradition. Methods: Patients suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, chronic bursitis, chronic tendinitis and other conditions were treated. California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) was grown by the author and made into a liniment. The liniment was applied to painful sites on the skin. Black sage (Salvia mellifera) was made into a sun tea. Chronic p [...]