Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons^™

An Exploration Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Usage Within The Vietnamese Community In Lincoln, Nebraska, Helen Duong

Honors Theses

Lincoln, Nebraska is home to over 5,000 Vietnamese refugees and immigrants, many of whom practice complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a result of healing traditions passed down through family members. This thesis explores the use of CAM among the Vietnamese population of Lincoln. The study employs an analysis of the literature on CAM among Vietnamese populations and thematic analysis of interviews conducted with members of the Vietnamese community of Lincoln, NE. Interviews explore perceptions of healthcare quality and access within this community as well as investigate the link between CAM and allopathic (Western) medicine. Findings suggest that certain CAM …

The Role Of Narrative Medicine In Patient Healing And Meaningful Clinical Practice, Elizabeth Gray Duperier

Honors Theses

The patient-clinician relationship is one that relies heavily on trust and understanding—both of which are reached through effective communication. As medicine advances, it is increasingly important to prioritize the human interaction in the clinical encounter. Illness is more than just a set of diagnoses; it is the culmination of one’s way of being and interacting with the world while experiencing these diagnoses—it is a narrative. In order for physicians to provide quality care, trust and understanding are of the utmost importance, but oftentimes these are not at the forefront of medical practice due to logistical barriers that the US healthcare …

Reasons For Stigma Surrounding Emotional Support Animals And How It Can Be Addressed, Natalie Helms

Honors Theses

Multiple factors that influence how emotional support animals (ESAs) are perceived will be investigated in this study, including how the stigma surrounding mental illness has the potential to affect how a person views using ESAs as a treatment for anxiety.

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Ionic Liquids Using Nitrogen-Based Cations For Transdermal Delivery, Jo Galloway

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore the synthesis mechanisms of water-soluble ionic liquids with nitrogen-containing cationic bases for future use in transdermal drug delivery and forensic science applications. Ionic liquids are salts with an organic cation and either an organic or inorganic anion. They have asymmetric structures, which means that the molecules don’t pack together as neatly as other salts do, therefore, they don’t crystallize as easily, and their melting points are lower. Ionic liquids have melting points below 100°C, and many are liquid at room temperature. Mechanistic studies reveal that the potency of ILs in enhancing transdermal …

Energy Therapies In Nursing Practice: Effects, Barriers, And Limitations, Sydney J. Stone

Honors Theses

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a growing field of holistic treatment modalities that aim to promote health and well-being or treat illness. Energy therapies are a subsection of CAM that have the potential to revolutionize the way that nurses manage their patient’s comfort. Past research has noted that more money is spent in the United States each year on CAM than is spent on conventional care, and researchers have identified the high spending as a discrepancy due to CAM’s general inaccessibility. This study aimed to analyze the existing research and evidence pertaining to the effects of energy therapies and …

Measuring Food Consumption Within A Foodrx Program, Katie Howell

Honors Theses

This pilot study set out to assess food consumption measures within the Charleston FoodRx program. Assessments made through this investigation aim to improve the Charleston program as well as provide suggestions for future programs. Charleston FoodRx provides enrolled households with fruits and vegetables in a supply intended to last for two weeks. These goals combine social and pharmaceutical science, by addressing barriers in food environment and insecurity, nutritional health, and preventative treatment. Though the idea behind FoodRx has existed prior to recent pilot programs, research behind FoodRx and its possible integration within the healthcare system lack published and replicable research …

Honokoil Treatment On Glioblastoma Cells, Julianne Weaver

Honors Theses

Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor without effective treatment options available because of its resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. This specific type of cancer is difficult to treat because the cancer stem cells that are not actively growing. These cells are dormant, which means they will not react to treatment because they are not dividing, and it is these cells that result in the high prevalence of relapse. Honokiol is a Chinese magnolia species that is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and proapoptotic effects which make it an optimal candidate for glioma cell treatment. Honokiol was used in this experiment …

Examining The Institution Of Public Health: The Case Of The James C. Kennedy Wellness Center, Hannah Hoang

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to function as an analysis of the James C. Kennedy Center and the impact capacity the Center has on community health and wellness in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Poor health is a global problem that is especially prominent in Tallahatchie County which ranked 81st out of 82 Mississippi counties in 2012. This thesis used institutional theory to explain the relationship between the Center and public health. Through interviews and data analysis, a broad evaluation was performed on the Center’s programs and community impact. Results showed that the Kennedy Center has made a large impact in improving the health …

Weaving Charlotte's Web: An In-Depth Guide To Cannabidiol, Lauren Pitts

Honors Theses

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, first gathered national spotlight after Charlotte Figi and her mother Paige were able to find two physicians willing to prescribe CBD to treat Charlotte’s seizures. Charlotte suffered from Dravet Syndrome, but was able to find relief from CBD, which decreased the number and severity of her seizures. This sparked national interest and was the catalyst that lead to research and changes surrounding CBD uses and legality. Cannabidiol is a single cannabinoid that is found within the Cannabis sativa plant family—the same family that includes marijuana. This cannabinoid differs from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and does not provide …

The Healing Potential Of Online, Art-Dbt: Developing A Program For Rumination And Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Reduction, Lesley Howard

Honors Theses

I developed and tested the effectiveness of an online, 6-week art-DBT (combination of Art Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) program aimed at reducing rumination and, if present, non-suicidal self-injury.

Indigenous Healing In New Zealand: An Anthropological Analysis Of "Traditional" And "Modern" Approaches To Well-Being, Lillian T. Brice

Honors Theses

Drawing on contemporary anthropological approaches used by scholars of well-being and medical anthropology (i.e. Michael Jackson and Lisa Stevenson), I explore how indigenous healers in New Zealand blend “traditional” and “modern” elements to establish a creative and inclusive system. Specifically, I explore the use of herbal treatments, ritual chanting, and ceremonies that encapsulate Māori cultural values. I also explore the impact of biomedicine and New-Age wellness approaches on indigenous healing. I argue that Māori healing moves beyond the binary of “tradition” and “modern” as healers merge the past and present and combine the foreign and native. My research is based …

Saudade: An Exploration Of The Choreographic Process And The Power Of Dance, Audrey Erickson

Honors Theses

This paper serves as a reflection on my choreographic process as a LINES BFA senior and as an investigation into the innate power of human creative movement. I will document the challenges and joys of producing movement in the dancing arts, as well as illuminate the physical and psychological power of movement harbored within the practice of Dance Movement Therapy, an enduring form of psychotherapeutic movement used to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical well-being. The main goals of my personal choreographic experience, as well as those of my fellow Dance Majors were three-fold: 1) the cultivation of an encouraging …

Effectiveness And Mechanism Of Action Of Modified Porphyrins For Photodynamic Therapy Of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Hannah Brandon

Honors Theses

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that lacks the three molecules typically targeted for treatment. Standard treatment methods leave much to be desired--the rates of metastasis and recurrence are high and the prognosis for most patients with TNBC is poor. One potential treatment for TNBC is photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses compounds called photosensitizers that are taken up by all tissues in the body. The tumor is exposed to light, activating the photosensitizer and creating reactive oxygen species that cause cell death. This method is relatively pain-free, effective, and does not harm cells …

Killing Breast Cancer One Porphyrin At A Time, Taylor C. Lymburner

Honors Theses

New treatments for cancer are continuously being developed and improved. One such treatment is Photodynamic Therapy, more commonly referred to as PDT. PDT is quickly becoming more popular due to its relative lack of side effects that are present in other treatments. In PDT, light-sensitive agents are required and are activated by light in the targeted cells. There are many types of PDT agents but the one focused on in this research is a four-pyrrole ring structure known as a porphyrin. The combination of H2 TPPC with 3- amino-oxetane-3-yl-methanol created the final product ofH2TPP-Oxo-MeOH. Once the porphyrin was formed, it …

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Medical Marijuana On The Quality Of Patient Life, Kori L. Bullard

Honors Theses

America is known as the land of opportunity. People attempting to better their lives tend to see America as an opportunity to do so. This statement remains true for the American medical field. Americans are known as advanced in treatment options for various diseases. With this being said, there are few diseases that still bring forth complete fear in the minds of the people of America. In spite of this, "You have been diagnosed with cancer" is a statement that generates this fear. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Current treatments for cancer are invasive, expensive, …

Killing Cancer With Light, Kaitlyn Thomas

Honors Theses

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new treatment option in medicine including treating some types of cancers. PDT utilizes light to activate small molecules for treatment. Some of these molecules used as PDT agents are porphyrin derivatives. While PDT is currently being used in the fight against cancer, it has several limitations and is currently being used in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiation in order to be effective. This research focused on synthesizing a new zinc (II) porphyrin and incorporating a fluorescent sulfocycline and testing the compound on the MB 231 breast cancer cell line.

Once the metallated porphyrin was …

The Effect Of Exercise And Diet On Insulin Resistance, Kinsey M. Nelson

Honors Theses

This paper explores the effects of diet and exercise on an insulin-resistant individual, integrating the recommendations for exercise and diet as put forth by a variety of peer-reviewed articles. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if insulin resistance is a reversible condition, and if so, whether exercise alone, nutrition alone, or some combination of the two would be the most effective treatment. The results of this twenty-week trial suggest that insulin resistance may be reversible. Exercise alone was not found to be effective in decreasing insulin levels. Changing to a low-carbohydrate diet with no exercise saw a vast …

Dancing With Down Syndrome: A Look At The Effects And Benefits Of Dance Movement Therapy On The Emotional Well-Being And Overall Quality Of Life For Individuals With Down Syndrome, Jenna Snyder

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how combining the creativity of dance with the functionality of physical therapy can allow individuals with Down syndrome to not only be stimulated physically and cognitively, but also to help them to continue to lead very fulfilling and productive lives. Given the positive effects dance has on individuals with Down syndrome, it is expected that the expressive art form of dance movement therapy would be an optimal approach to increase and improve the emotional well-being and overall quality of life for this population. The literature review consists of an analysis of existing literature and personal interviews with …

Jwh-018 And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Drug-Drug Interactions And Implications On Toxicity, Christopher O. Godwin

Honors Theses

Drug abuse has expanded from more well-known substances, such as cocaine and marijuana, to relatively new novel psychoactive substances. A group of these substances called synthetic cannabinoids have been increasing in usage throughout the 2000's, and these compounds carry significant and varying risks depending on the dose and composition of the synthetic cannabinoid. Patients have been observed having symptoms associated with high doses of synthetic cannabinoids when they take lower doses of the synthetic cannabinoid in addition to their antidepressant medication. In order to test the effects of co-administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRis) and synthetic cannabinoids, mice were …

Using Light To Kill Cancer: Development Of A Novel Photodynamic Therapy, Alicia Hamilton Moore

Honors Theses

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses special drugs called photosensitizing agents along with light to kill cancer cells. The specialized drugs only work after they have been activated or "turned on" by light. Photodynamic therapy may also be called photoradiation therapy, phototherapy, or photochemotherapy. In this research, I focused on the addition of four separate hydroxyl-amines to the unsubstituted porphyrin core, H₂TPPC. The hydroxyl-amines attached to the porphyrin core were 5- amino-1-pentanol, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1, 3-propanediol, 3-amino-propanediol, and 5-aminovaleric acid. The novel water soluble PDT agents, H₂TPP-A50H, H₂TPP-2ET, H₂TPP-3NH, and H_{2 …}

Mindfulness And Prevention In Western Medicine: Focus On Physician Assistant, Amber Bernelis

Honors Theses

The health and wellness of the mind has been an important aspect that has been recognized by different cultures and medical traditions for thousands of years, but was generally neglected in the United States until recently. The beginning of the western mindfulness revolution started when Jon Kabat-Zinn introduced the concept and practice of mindfulness to care for the health and wellness of our mind. “Mindfulness is a simple concept in which one pays attention on purpose, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994, p. 4). Research indicates that mindfulness helps to treat aspects of chronic diseases, pain, as well as …

A Comparative Analysis Of Medical Pluralism In Fiji And The United States, Meaghan Jain

Honors Theses

Both indigenous Fijians and Americans practice a medically pluralistic style of healing that includes biomedicine, herbal medicines, and spiritual healing. People in both cultures use alternative medicinal styles to fill in around gaps left by biomedicine, but the reasons why they do this, and how they do this, are different. Urban indigenous Fijians supplement biomedicine with healing styles that utilize their social networks. Fijians have a sociocentric sense of self and the body; they feel uncomfortable with impersonal treatment by doctors and feel better about treatments that bring social support. Americans, on the other hand, follow a rhetoric strongly oriented …

Exploring Doctor-Patient Communication In The Context Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Eva Rachelle Zimmerman

Honors Theses

The introduction of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the United States has recently led to increased interest in this topic. CAM encompasses a range of health care approaches that attempt to maintain or prevent illness, such as herbal supplements and acupuncture. The integrative health care movement, which is the integration of CAM with conventional medicine, has been rapidly growing among both health care providers and health care consumers, because most consumers use both types of medicine. Despite this growth, there are barriers to the acceptance and integration of CAM, including the inability of doctors to communicate with patients about …

The Effect Of Cannabinoids On Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Haley Dahl

Honors Theses

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a difficult type of cancer to treat because it is negative for progesterone, estrogen, and HER-2 receptors. Because TNBC is negative for these three receptors, it does not respond to normal hormonal therapies. The purpose of my experiment is to see if different cannabinoids, compounds from the cannabis plants, could be used as alternative treatment options. These experiments employed three different cannabinoids: ajulemic acid, cannabidiol, and hemp oil. Cell viability was measured after 72 hours of treatment using a MTT assay. The results showed that the three cannabinoids could be used to effectively destroy …

Communicating Health Care Options: Dominican Herbal Remedies In The Dominican Republic And New York City, Marisa K. Crommett

Honors Theses

As the second largest minority group in New York City (NYC), the population of Dominican immigrants continues to increase. Their participation in the conventional health care system, however, remains low. Many barriers exist that discourage Dominicans from seeking conventional biomedical treatment and encourage their reliance on traditional healing practices. Dominican traditional medicine has potential to contribute to the urban health care system in NYC, but more research is needed on the safety and toxicity of ethnomedical remedies and practices. Without efforts to recognize immigrant-healing traditions in the urban setting, tensions between the conventional and alternative medical systems will persist. It …

Antibiotics, Herbs, And Magic: Health Practices In Contemporary St. Petersburg, Christine Shu

Honors Theses

In St. Petersburg, Russia, two seemingly conflicting health doctrines, western medicine and alternative medicine, play significant roles in residents' health culture. I define alternative medicine as all health practices that use such natural products as herbs, natural honey, water, seeds, berries, and even animal products, and as such unobtrusive body therapies as acupuncture, massage, yoga, or animal therapies. I define western medicine as all treatments that involve the manipulation of ingredients in a chemistry laboratory (such as antibiotics, antiviral drugs, antihistamines. or pain killers) and all body therapies intrusive to the body (such as operations). Through interviews with St. Petersburg …

Computational Studies Of Melatonin Analogues, Jessica Lynne Baima

Honors Theses

Melatonin (MLT, N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland, plays a crucial role in the regulation of circadian rhythms. Melatonin supplements are utilized in treating various sleep disorders, but detrimental side effects currently discourages its use in space. Computer generated molecular models of MLT analogues were studied with the purpose of resolving the deficiencies within existing therapeutic agents by constructing an enhanced MLT analogue. The MT receptor binding data for each analogue was obtained from the literature and Sybyl 6.9 was used to perform 3-D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies on eight data sets, using the comparative …

The Evolution Of Western And Eastern Medicines: A Merging Of Opposites, Elizabeth Pratt Berry

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Massage And Self-Hypnosis: Methods For Tension Release, Robin Mcalister

Honors Theses

In order to determine the feasibility of using self-hypnosis and massage in reducing tension, a survey of modern literature was made. Massage was shown to reduce tightness and soreness in muscles while self-hypnosis served to guide the individual into a state of relaxation. Techniques and methodology were explored and a compilation was given.