Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons^™

Identification Of Novel Molecular Targets Of Resveratrol In Colorectal Carcinogenesis, Nichelle Chantil Whitlock

Doctoral Dissertations

Current research suggests resveratrol, a phytoalexin found predominately in grapes, may function as a chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agent for various cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, the underlying mechanism(s) involved in these activities remain elusive. Thus, the objective of the studies discussed here sought to investigate the effect of resveratrol treatment on gene modulation in human colorectal cancer cells in order to identify and characterize novel molecular targets that contribute to the observed anticancer activities of resveratrol. Here, we identify activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) and early growth response-1 (Egr-1) as novel targets of resveratrol and provide data to elucidate the …

The Crone Archetype: Women Reclaim Their Authentic Self By Resonating With Crone Images, Joanne Sienko Ott

Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies Research Papers

The purpose of this research is to describe the lived experience of women who resonate or activate crone archetypal images. The literature describes the crone archetype as a pre-existent form in the collective unconscious that embodies instinctive ways of channeling wisdom, inner knowing, and intuition, guiding us through the transition of life, and going inward to bring forth the light for transformation. When women resonate or activate the crone archetypal image they tap into the psyche, to reclaim primordial images and receive the power within them that honor older women. Seven in-depth interviews were completed with older women who described …

The Effects Of Curcumin On Body Composition Of Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer, Henrique A. Parsons Md

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Cachexia is very common among patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and is a marker of poor prognosis. Weight loss in cachexia is due to both adipose and muscle compartments, and sarcopenia (severe muscle depletion) is associated with worse outcomes. Curcumin has shown a myriad of biological effects, including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. The ability of curcumin to attenuate cachexia and muscle loss has been tested in animal models, with conflicting results so far. The hypothesis of this study was that patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with curcumin for two months have less fat and muscle loss as compared to matched …

Safety Of Cervical Manipulation: Are Adverse Events Preventable And Are Manipulations Being Performed Appropriately?, Joseph Anders, Jessica March, Amber Perez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objectives: Documented case reports found in medical literature describing adverse events associated with cervical spine manipulation (CSM) were reviewed to determine if the CSM was used appropriately and if the events could have been prevented. Our hypothesis was that CSM had been used inappropriately and that adverse events could have been prevented. This study also looked to identify potential characteristics that may put the patient at risk for injury, or even death as a result of a CSM.

Methods: One hundred and thirty four cases, reported in 93 articles, published between 1950 and 2010, were reviewed. CSMs were categorized as …

Effect Of Aquastretch On Range Of Motion At Knee Joint In Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients, Raja Devinder Kochar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The success of the Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) depends upon its functional outcomes of increase in reduction in pain, and gait ambulation and performing functional activities of daily living. Compromised range of motion, pain and weakness can reduce their ability to perform activities of daily living. Aquatic Physical Therapy may offer an alternative intervention to traditional Physical Therapy Rehabilitation and many studies have shown improvements in range of motion, swelling, pain reduction, stiffness and quality of life after TKA. AquaStretch, a relatively new form of aquatic therapy, claims to restore the functional mobility which is lost restrictions caused due to …

Thrust Joint Manipulation Education: Student Perceptions Of Learning And Practical Experiences In Spinal Manipulation Within Entry-Level Physical Therapist Education Programs, Joshua Thomas Marks, Lisa Basl

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Spinal thrust joint manipulation (TJM) education is mandatory in all professional entry-level physical therapy programs, yet TJM is under-utilized in daily practice. This descriptive study expands on previous data about how TJM is taught and includes data for the perceived confidence students have when performing TJM.

Methods: A 39-question descriptive survey inquiring about TJM education and selfperceived confidence in performing TJM was distributed via email to 213 accredited physical therapy programs.

Subjects: Respondents ranged in age from 22-45 (mean age=25.61 years). Respondents included 435 professional physical therapy students (84 male, 285 female) who have completed their …

Ultrasound Imaging Of Lumbar Multifidus Immediately Following Three Physical Therapy Techniques In Asymptomatic Individuals, Victoria Byers, Steven Lim, Kathryn Rice

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Study Design

Randomized, blinded, cohort, within subjects design.

Background and Objective

The effects of different manual therapy (MT) techniques on lumbar multifidus (LM) thickness have been investigated in subjects with low back pain (LBP) but have not been investigated in asymptomatic subjects. The objective of this study was to examine the immediate effects of mobilization and manipulation on contraction thickness of LM in healthy individuals.

Methods and Measures

Forty-two healthy individuals participated in the study. Ultrasound imaging techniques were used to record LM thickness (L4-5 level) at rest, during an abdominal drawing in maneuver (ADIM), and during a prone upper …

Perceived Benefits Of Yoga Participants Enrolled In Different Yoga Styles, Jennifer Lovas

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

Yoga affects the lifestyles of many individuals ranging from child and teen to senior. The Yoga Centre studios in San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande provide a variety of classes conducive to the yoga practice for all ages and levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived benefits of participants enrolled in different styles of yoga at the Yoga Centre. The 163 participants completed the survey using self-administered and electronic questionnaires distributed in January of 2011. Stress relief was the highest perceived benefit. Most participants started yoga for health and fitness reasons and most were fearful of …

Angiostatin Like Peptides In Milk: Potential Development For Dairy Products Capable Of Cancer Prevention, Erin Stefanutti

Master's Theses

For the past 40 years, antiangiogenic approaches have been of major interest in the development of methods to cure and prevent cancer. Angiogenesis, the development of blood vessels from pre-existing vascularization, is essential for cancer growth and spread of metastasis through the delivery of nutrients and oxygen essential to sustain the metabolic activity of these malignant cells. Blocking access to blood will cause cancerous cells to assume a dormant state creating inactive micro-tumors innocuous to the host. Angiostatin, the internal fragment of the fibrinolytic zymogen plasminogen, has shown great potential in reducing cancer size and number of metastatic colonies in …

Ways Of Knowing Transcultural Herbal Healing, Kristin M. Mchale

Theses and Graduate Projects

This project was born from 5 years of deeply moving transcultural learning experiences. As I walked with cultural guides from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, energy workers of the Celtic tradition in England, traditional folk healers in Mexico, healers of the US southwest, Alaska natives, and Italian mountain people, stories unfolded which showed a universal commonality; a connection to the land and the use of herbs for health and healing. Across the globe, herbal remedies are used by people of all cultures for health and healing throughout the lifespan. Within many cultures, knowledge of herbs is a source …

Holistic Comfort And Bereavement Of Families Receiving Prenatal Hospice Support During The Loss Of An Unborn Child With Lethal Anomalies, Sally S. Smith

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the grieving process and coping mechanism of families that was faced with the impeding loss of their unborn child. Grief is a very lonely process.

The aim of this research is to examine how parents cope with the lost of an unborn child with the aid of perinatal hospices. Giving families a broader range of options in regards to continuing their pregnancy. Each family has a right to choice what option is right for them. Choices should be in the hands of the family in regards to continuing with their pregnancy …

Patients' Perspectives On Discussing Complementary And Alternative Medicine Therapies With Conventional Doctors, Deborah A. Mcninch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Currently, little is known about patients' perceptions and beliefs in discussing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with their conventional medical (CM) doctor. The purpose of this descriptive research was to show whether CAM-using patients have an interest in discussing CAM treatments with their CM doctor for comprehensive care as described by the health belief model (HBM) constructs of perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and perceived benefits of taking action. A sample of 165 participants age 18 or older from 2 chiropractic clinics in the midwestern United States completed a Likert-scaled survey. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression …

Yogic Diffusion The Effects Of Yogic Practice And Philosophy On Beliefs About Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Jacqueline Marie Siven

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research is a qualitative study that aimed to anthropologically explore the effects of consistent long-term yogic practice on the acceptance and practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among yoga practitioners at a South Florida yoga center. I wished to determine, through in-depth interviews, whether or not yogic practice affects acceptance of CAM. The main objective was to interview individuals from a single yoga center that have practiced yoga at least once per week for at least one year concerning their beliefs about CAM, yoga, and health. This project will begin to fill the gap in social science, in …

Dr. Youtube Is Ready To See You Now! Health Benefits Of Medical Videos On Youtube, Jordan A. Rosenberg

CMC Senior Theses

Chapter 1 will cover who is uploading the videos and how individuals navigate from professional to amateur videos and visa versa. The discussion will be in context of YouTube as a public sharing space that can contain personal information. A central advantage of YouTube as a space for health information is health communication. Chapter 2 will focus on social networking and the comments section, where patients voluntarily share their voice in an online medical community.

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 …