Complementary Medicine News and Research

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Five-minute session of proximal intercessory prayer eases primary care pain and anxiety

A randomized controlled trial conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has found that a five-minute session of proximal intercessory prayer (PIP) - in-person prayer offered by a trained volunteer - significantly reduced pain and anxiety in primary care patients compared to a music control group.

2 Jun 2026

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound shows promise in regulating internal organ functions

Announcing a new article publication in BIO Integration. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) provides a non-invasive, quantifiable, and deep stimulation method for acupoints, offering a promising alternative to manual acupuncture.

2 Apr 2026

Global study reveals growing use of integrative therapies in cancer care

Around the world, doctors, nurses and pharmacists are turning to evidence-based integrative approaches such as acupuncture, yoga, exercise, massage and nutrition counseling to help people with cancer manage the harsh side effects of treatment.

24 Nov 2025

Can diet calm early memory problems? Anti-inflammatory Mediterranean eating shows promise

Older women who follow a strongly anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet report far fewer subjective memory complaints than those who do not. The AnMED pattern outperforms both traditional Mediterranean and MIND diets, showing a clear advantage for protecting early cognitive symptoms.

24 Nov 2025

Why zinc may be the missing nutrient in childhood asthma care

The role of zinc in childhood asthma is critical; deficiency may worsen symptoms, while supplementation could provide a safe, effective treatment alternative.

19 Aug 2025

Music therapy intervention improves mental health for heart failure and COPD patients

A new study from University Hospitals Connor Whole Health found that it was feasible to conduct a hybrid music therapy intervention for patients with heart failure and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

16 Apr 2025

Sweet potato extracts slow breast and lung cancer growth, study finds

Researchers found that methanolic extracts from sweet potato leaves and stems significantly inhibit breast and lung cancer cell growth, with some effects comparable to tamoxifen.

2 Mar 2025

Study finds limited evidence for massage therapy's effectiveness in pain relief

A study in JAMA Network Open reviews evidence on massage therapy's effectiveness in relieving pain, finding moderate certainty for some conditions but overall low certainty for most.

21 Jul 2024

Ultra-processed foods linked to higher glaucoma risk, study warns

Study finds a significant relationship between the highest intake of ultra-processed foods, especially sweets, and an increased risk of developing glaucoma among Spanish university graduates, highlighting the importance of dietary quality for ocular health.

8 Apr 2024

New guidelines aim to improve reporting of biofield therapy trials

New guidelines for reporting clinical trials of biofield therapies are presented in the peer-reviewed Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine (JICM). Biofield therapies (BFTs), such as External Qigong, Healing Touch, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch, are a related group of integrative medicine interventions in which practitioners use their hands on or above a client's body to stimulate healing and well-being.

7 Feb 2024

Gender inequalities worsen women’s access to cancer prevention, detection and care

Unequal power dynamics across society have resounding negative impacts on how women interact with cancer prevention, care and treatment.

26 Sep 2023

Study describes the scope and integration of music therapy program within UH medical centers

A new study from University Hospitals (UH) Connor Whole Health describes the scope and integration of their music therapy program within10 UH medical centers.

14 Jul 2023

Calming sounds from nature can help alleviate stres in individuals with gambling addiction

Gambling addiction, also called "pathological gambling" and "gambling disorder (GD)," is known to have severe economic, social, mental, and physical consequences on those affected. One of the major factors contributing to the development and relapse of this disorder is stress.

27 Apr 2023

Music therapy proves effective in treating depression for ADHD in children and adolescents

How music therapy can improve the treatment of depression in children with Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

30 Mar 2023

First phase I trial of intravenous mistletoe extract to treat advanced cancer

Mistletoe extract has been widely used to support cancer therapy and improve quality of life, but there has been a lack of clinical trials and data to support its use.

22 Feb 2023

Association between sleep disorders and sleep-wake disturbance with MACE or all-cause mortality in the post-stroke population

Researchers assessed the association between post-stroke sleep disturbances and recurrent cardiovascular events.

22 Feb 2023

Acupuncture and acupressure may lead to better recovery in patients undergoing surgery for gynecologic cancers

Patients undergoing surgery for ovarian and endometrial cancers often experience anxiety and pain. A new study indicates that acupressure before surgery may help reduce anxiety and following this up with acupuncture during surgery may provide an added benefit of lessening severe pain.

17 Jan 2023

Mind-body practices can effectively reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes

Mind-body practices such as yoga and meditation are increasingly popular tools for promoting health and combating diseases, including type 2 diabetes.

28 Sep 2022

Using a bibliometric approach to evaluate the scientific literature on digital teaching in medical education

JMIR Publications recently published "Digital Teaching in Medical Education: Scientific Literature Landscape Review" in JMIR Medical Education which reported that digital teaching in medical education has grown in popularity in recent years.

29 Jul 2022

Researchers assess the evidence basis for medications used to treat spine-related pain in older adults

Spine-related pain is increasingly common in older adults. While medications play an important role in pain management, their use has limitations in geriatric patients due to reduced liver and kidney function, comorbid medical problems and polypharmacy (the simultaneous use of multiple drugs to treat medical conditions).

28 Jun 2022