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Researchers map use of alternative treatment among multiple sclerosis patients

A major Nordic research project involving researchers from the University of Copenhagen has, for the first time ever, mapped the use of alternative treatment among multiple sclerosis patients - knowledge which is important for patients with chronic disease and the way in which society meets them.

19 Apr 2013

Animal robots for dementia treatment: an interview with Professor Wendy Moyle, Griffith University

A robotic cat was first trialled in the US in early 2004 as a companion pet for people with dementia. A number of nursing homes have either ‘toy’ or robotic animals that they use as entertainment for older residents as well as people with dementia.

5 Apr 2013

UIC College of Pharmacy receives grant to train students in natural product drugs

Elizabeth Martinez hopes to one day discover a cure for menopausal symptoms using an herbal dietary supplement. With the help of a new federal training grant to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, her vision may become reality.

5 Apr 2013

Two nationally renowned specialists to research on Lupus, auto-immune disorders

In a new association of nationally renowned specialists on Lupus and auto-immune disorders, Dr. Swamy Venuturupalli , is joining with Dr. Daniel Wallace to accelerate research into those diseases along with their expanded clinical practice.

1 Apr 2013

Chelation therapy with drug disodium EDTA reduces risk of heart attack

Although chelation therapy with the drug disodium EDTA has been used for many years with limited evidence of efficacy for the treatment of coronary disease, a randomized trial that included patients with a prior heart attack found that use of a chelation regimen modestly reduced the risk of a composite of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

27 Mar 2013

SLU researcher studies effect of bitter melon extract on treating cancer

A Saint Louis University researcher has received a $39,425 grant from the Lottie Caroline Hardy Charitable Trust to continue her research on treating cancer with a natural substance -- the extract taken from a vegetable that is part of her diet.

24 Mar 2013

OMT offers moderate to substantial pain relief from chronic low back pain

The numbers are staggering. More than 632 million people worldwide suffer from low back pain, and it is a leading cause of disability. According to the Institute of Medicine, one-third of all Americans suffer from chronic pain, which exceeds the number of people who are affected by heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined.

19 Mar 2013

EDTA chelation, high-dose vitamins/minerals may provide additional benefit for MI patients

Heart attack patients given a combination of high-dose oral vitamins and minerals do not exhibit a significant reduction in recurrent cardiac events, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

13 Mar 2013

Complementary medicine risks: an interview with Dr Andrew Boyden, NPS MedicineWise

Complementary medicines include products containing herbs, vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, homoeopathic medicines, certain aromatherapy products and traditional Chinese medicines. For this reason they are also called herbal, natural or alternative medicines.

26 Feb 2013

Novel experiment illuminates importance of doctor-patient relationship

A patient's relationship with his or her doctor has long been considered an important component of healing. Now, in a novel investigation in which physicians underwent brain scans while they believed they were actually treating patients, researchers have provided the first scientific evidence indicating that doctors truly can feel their patients' pain - and can also experience their relief following treatment.

29 Jan 2013

Multivitamins should be taken with care

In light of research released today by Canstar Blue showing more than half of Australians who take multivitamins don’t know they are medicines, NPS MedicineWise is reminding people that complementary medicines are medicines too.

18 Jan 2013

People with chronic inflammatory conditions may benefit from mindfulness meditation

People suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma - in which psychological stress plays a major role - may benefit from mindfulness meditation techniques, according to a study by University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientists with the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the Waisman Center.

17 Jan 2013

Children with chronic medical conditions more likely to use alternative medicine

Children who regularly see specialists for chronic medical conditions are also using complementary medicine at a high rate, demonstrates recently published research from the University of Alberta and the University of Ottawa.

15 Jan 2013

Research roundup: Effectiveness of mobile clinics; Can more alternative medicine coverage save money?

Approximately 2,000 mobile health clinics in the U.S. have 6.5 million patient visits annually. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 6,000 patients from 2010 to 2012 from one program, to examine the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness.

15 Jan 2013

Nasopharyngeal cancer patients at risk for stroke

Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer are at an increased risk for ischemic stroke, particularly if comorbidities are present, report researchers.

18 Dec 2012

Electrotherapy not effective pain treatment in the aftermath of pancreatic surgery

Osteopathy may help reduce chronic pain and stiffness after thoracic surgery. However, electrotherapy is not effective pain treatment in the aftermath of pancreatic surgery. These are the findings of a thesis from Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, that studied complementary and alternative therapies.

6 Dec 2012

IL17RC-mediated immune responses can be crucial in causing AMD

Changes in how genes in the immune system function may result in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of visual impairment in older adults, based on preliminary research conducted by National Institutes of Health (NIH) investigators.

29 Nov 2012

Acupuncture shows promise in head and neck patients with xerostomia

Acupuncture significantly relieves the symptoms of xerostomia, or dry mouth, compared with oral care education in patients who have undergone radical or adjuvant radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, indicate the results of a randomized crossover trial.

1 Nov 2012

Clinical hypnosis can effectively reduce hot flashes among postmenopausal women

Clinical hypnosis can effectively reduce hot flashes and associated symptoms among postmenopausal women, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Baylor University's Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory.