Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons^™

Exploring Level Ii Nicu Case Study Research Challenges: Embracing The Proposal Journey, Engaging In Retrospective Pragmatic Reflection On Challenges, And Enhancing Research Within Graduate Education And The Profession Of Massage Therapy, Amanda R. Winter

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background

Infants born preterm and low birth weight face health risks; studies demonstrate massage therapy (MT) promotes weight gain and earlier hospital discharge. A gap remains in understanding the role of massage in preterm care within Canada.

Research Methods and Theoretical Orientation – Part A

Case study methodology is proposed to examine the nature of MT as a healthcare intervention within an Ontario Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Constrained by a Master’s program’s two-year time limit and contextual challenges, the project could not secure support.

Research Methods and Theoretical Orientation – Part B

Introducing a retrospective pragmatic reflective approach, …

Characterizing The Anxiolytic Potential And Synergistic Efficacy Of Cannabidiol And D-Limonene, Nathashi Jayawardena

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Emerging evidence has elucidated the anxiolytic properties of the cannabis-derived phytochemicals cannabidiol (CBD) and d-limonene and the ‘Entourage Effect’ wherein, multiple components of cannabis synergize to produce stronger effects than their pure counterparts. However, no studies have yet explored this effect in combinations of CBD and limonene. Thus, the present thesis investigated the anxiolytic and synergistic potential of concurrently administered intra-nucleus accumbens shell CBD (1 ng/0.5 μl or 5 ng/0.5 μl) and inhaled limonene (200 μl or 2000 μl). Additionally, the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in mediating these effects was examined by co-application of the antagonist NAD299 and by …

Exploring The Role Of Cannabidiol-Monoterpene Formulations In Modulating Anxiety Symptoms, Richard Leu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

While cannabidiol (CBD) has been documented to elicit anxiolytic effects, only recently have studies been conducted demonstrating the anxiolytic efficacy of the aromatic monoterpene, linalool. Pa

While cannabidiol (CBD) has been documented to elicit anxiolytic effects, only recently have studies demonstrated the anxiolytic efficacy of the aromatic monoterpene, linalool. Past research involving phytocannabinoid-phytocannabinoid formulations has shown that CBD may yield superior anxiolytic efficacy when administered alongside other cannabis compounds, with this phenomenon termed the “Entourage Effect” (EE); however, this EE has not been investigated in phytocannabinoid-terpene formulations. Furthermore, investigations involving intra-cranial CBD administration have shown the nucleus accumbens shell, known …

Using Meditation To Improve Measures Of Attention In Older Adults, Sabrina Ford

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Age-related cognitive decline greatly impacts quality of life for older adults. Previous research has indicated that meditation may act as a neuroprotective factor to prevent age-related cognitive decline. This thesis sought to replicate previous findings and investigate if a four-week meditation intervention would improve sustained attention. Participants 60 years and older (n=27, 17 female) were recruited and assigned to a focused-attention (FA) meditation or relaxation group which met for four weeks, three times a week. Resting-state EEG was used to collect individual alpha peak frequency (iAPF) and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA). The Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) was also …

Identification Of Human Postnatal Progenitor Cells With Multifaceted Regenerative Functions, Tyler T. Cooper

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Regenerative medicine is a multidisciplinary effort to regenerate or replace a deficiency of functional cells/tissues, such as deteriorated vasculature in cardiovascular pathologies or depleted -cell mass in diabetes. The transplantation of pro-regenerative progenitor cell populations has demonstrated therapeutic benefits in pre-clinical models, although translation to clinical efficacy is limited by the paradoxical balance between cell expansion ex vivo and loss of regenerative functions in vivo. Herein, this thesis encompasses two distinct approaches to circumvent translational deficiencies; 1) prevention of hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation during ex vivo expansion and 2) utilizing the secretome of pancreas-derived multipotent stromal cell as a …

Effects Of Niacin And Vitamin D On Endothelial Cell Angiogenic Function And Vascular Regeneration During Lipotoxicity, Kia Mae Peters

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Observational studies have suggested an association between low levels of niacin and vitamin D and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Both vitamins have been shown to improve endothelial functions and vascular regeneration following vascular injury, however, it appears vitamin D may promote or inhibit neovascularization in a context-dependent manner. We hypothesized that supplementation of vitamin D alone and in combination with niacin, would improve endothelial cell function under lipotoxic conditions and promote revascularization and functional recovery in obese mice with ischemic injury. Matrigel assays, mRNA microarray analyses and growth rate assays were used to investigate angiogenic function of endothelial cells exposed …

Exploring Unmet Healthcare Needs, Healthcare Access, And The Use Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine By Chronic Pain Sufferers- An Analysis Of The National Population Health Survey, Jessica Lachance

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Chronic pain is a condition nurses encounter in their practice often; estimated to affect 1 in 5 Canadian adults, resulting in significant disability, a deleterious impact on health and quality of life, and a large financial and operational burden on the health care system. It is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon that despite research efforts remains poorly understood. Consequently, the focus of chronic pain treatment targets the managementof pain to improve quality of life and reduce suffering as much as possible, rather than a curative approach. Chronic pain has been recognized as one of the most pervasive and …

Efficacy Of Rhythmic Acquisition On Gait Performance Among Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Demian L. Kogutek

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to identify the ability of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to acquire different rhythmic complexity levels through individual home-based Improvised Active Music Therapy (IAMT) sessions. The study aimed to identify whether higher acquisition of rhythmic complexity levels improved gait performance, as well as beat perception and production abilities. In this single subject multiple baseline design, the study measured the ability of four right-handed participants with PD to acquire greater density of syncopation, as a measure of rhythmic complexity levels, while playing uninterrupted improvised music on a simplified electronic drum-set. An accredited music therapist led …

A Simulated Walk In Nature: Testing Predictions From The Attention Restoration Theory, Corey Crossan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Attention Restoration Theory (ART) predicts that top-down processing during everyday activities can cause attentional fatigue and that bottom-up processing that occurs when people experience nature will be restorative (Kaplan, 1995). The present study examined this prediction by exposing participants to three different conditions using a repeated measures design: a control condition during which participants walked on a typical treadmill, a nature/restorative condition during which participants walked on the same treadmill, experiencing a simulated nature walk, and a perturbation condition that included the same simulated nature scene but also required top-down processing during the walk. The findings supported ART predictions. As …

Comparison Of The Prophylactic Effect Between Acupuncture And Acupressure On Menstrual Migraine: Results Of A Pilot Study, Xianmin Yu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Menstrual migraine (MM) is one kind of migraine associated with females’ menses. It is often associated with increased menstrual distress and disability, leading to decreased daily activity and quality of life. Purpose: To make comparisons between acupuncture and acupressure for preventing MM. Design: A randomized and controlled pilot study with three groups: verum acupuncture (VA) group, acupressure (AP) group, and control acupuncture (CA) group. The study lasted for seven cycle-months, with a 1-cycle-month baseline observation (T1), a 3-cycle-month intervention (three times per cycle-month) (T2-T4), and a 3-cycle-month follow-up (T5-T7). Outcome measures: number of migraine days, average and peak pain, …

Ginseng Polysaccharides Nanoparticles - Synthesis, Characterization, And Biological Activity, Kazi Farida Akhter

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

North American (NA) ginseng is a widely used medicinal plant. Polysaccharides (PS), the major medicinal fractions derived from NA ginseng root, have been shown several biological activities including anti-carcinogenic, anti-aging, immunostimulatory and antioxidant activity. This work focused on nanoprocessing of ginseng PS for enhancing their immunostimulation. Herein, we have developed a novel microfluidic approach to synthesize ginseng PS nanoparticles (NPs) from NA ginseng root. The microfluidics was found to provide unimodal PS spheres down to 20 nm with very narrow particle size distributions. In addition, the immunostimulating effect was investigated on Murine macrophage cell lines, with the results revealing an …

The Effect Of A Multiple Modality Mind-Motor Exercise Intervention On Single And Dual-Task Gait, Balance, And Executive Function, In Community Dwelling Older Adults With A Subjective Cognitive Complaint: A Randomized Controlled Trial., John P. Bocti

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Cognitive decline disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent, with older adults at increased risk. Combined exercise has been recently explored as an intervention to help to prevent the decline, however cognitive activation in combination with physical activity has yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to determine the effects of multiple modality exercise programs in combination with a mind-motor task and their effects on mobility and cognitive variables. A total of (n=89) older adults (55+ yrs), with subjective cognitive complaints participated in a multiple modality exercise class, three days a week over six months, with the intervention …

Effect Of Ascorbate On Coagulation And Fibrinolytic Factors In The Septic Microvasculature, Scott Swarbreck

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response to an infection, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The microcirculation during sepsis fails, in part, due to microthrombosis and the resulting plugging of capillaries, precipitating organ failure. Intravenous injection of ascorbate has been shown to reduce capillary plugging, however the mechanism of this protective effect is unclear. We hypothesized that ascorbate-mediated destabilization of the microthrombi through promoting fibrinolysis could contribute to this protection.

We showed that streptokinase, a pro-fibrinolytic agent, reduced the capillary plugging to a similar degree as ascorbate. This similarity provided the impetus for studying the effect of ascorbate …

Ginseng Extract Treatment Influences On Preimplantation Development In Vitro, And Pregnancy And Post-Partum Development In The Mouse, Danyka D. Belanger

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Ginseng is one of the most commonly consumed herbal medicines in the world. Consumption is highest in females, thus my purpose was to define the concentration responsive effects of North American alcoholic and aqueous ginseng extracts on preimplantation development in vitro and on pregnancy and post-partum development in the mouse. 2-cell embryos from female mice were cultured with 5 different concentrations of both extracts, ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1 and Re, a combinatorial ginsenoside solution and a polysaccharide fraction. Embryonic development and recovery from treatment was assessed. To investigate in vivo effects of ginseng extracts, females were gavaged with 50 mg/kg and …

Modulatory Effects Of North American Ginseng Extracts On Human Innate And Adaptive Immune Responses, Holly Rebecca Lemmon

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Ginseng has played a vital role in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. There are 22 variants of ginseng including North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). The use of North American ginseng has increased dramatically and there is a strong need to understand its immunomodulatory effects. This is because the majority of current research focusing on the Asian ginseng variant. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were used to test the immunomodulatory properties of 3 North American ginseng extracts, COLD-FX^® and deglycosylated individual ginsenosides. Microarray analysis of PBMC exposed to …