Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons^™

The Use Of Dietary Interventions In Pediatric Patients, Shirin Madzhidova, Lusine Sedrakyan

PCOM Scholarly Works

Complementary and alternative treatment approaches are becoming more common among children with chronic conditions. The prevalence of CAM use among US adults was estimated to be around 42% in 2015 and around 44% to 50% among adults with neurologic disorders. Studies demonstrate that children with certain chronic illnesses such as asthma, cancer, genetic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neurodevelopmental disorders are treated with complementary and alternative treatments at higher rates. Dietary therapies are gaining increasing popularity in the mainstream population. Although the majority of "fad" diets do not have enough supporting evidence, some dietary therapies have been utilized for …

Lipids, Reactive Oxygen Species, And Health, Heather Bowen

DNP Research Projects

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease (CAD), where plaque builds up to create atherosclerosis, puts patients at risk for heart attack or stroke. Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) have been implicated as a source of oxidative stress that can lead to the development of CAD, and diets high in fat potentiate this occurrence. As certain fats are heated and experience chemical and physical degradation, they cause an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, various forms of cancer, and CVD. This research study, based on CREATION Health ideals, aimed to evaluate the …

Oil Pulling: Fact Or Fad?, Cassandra N. Cooper

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Problem: There is a greater need in today’s world for better oral care across all populations. In developing countries, the tradition of oil pulling has provided an affordable and accessible alternative to antimicrobial rinse agents. Western society has taken note of this and oil pulling has emerged as the latest oral hygiene fad.

Methods: This review of literature used the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar to identify relevant research articles. Search terms included oil pulling, coconut oil, sesame seed oil, oil swishing, oral health, periodontitis, gingivitis, and bacterial adherence. The studies reviewed used previously validated data collection methods …

Dr. Seuss Fine Motor Development Club, Nicole Borcyk, Madelyn Beck

Honors Program: Expanded Learning Clubs

After school club that helps students develop fine motor skills by doing hands-on activities relating to Dr. Seuss's most popular books.

Flowers Or Flora?: Understanding The Effects Of Probiotics On Depression, Nicole Collopy

Student Research Posters

Chances are, we all know someone who has had their life affected by depression and anxiety; and we have all experienced these feelings on some level. What if the key to unlocking these problems lied within every one of us -- inside of our gut? The research topic being explored is the relationship between gut health and mood disorders. The question of interest is: Does the use of probiotic supplementation have an effect on feelings of depression?

Connection between gut health and mental health is significant as approximately 6.7% of adults in the U.S. suffer from major depressive disorder. There …

The Heart Of Atrial Fibrillation: Integrating Yoga For Holistic Care, Jessica Lee Mcalpine

Theses and Graduate Projects

Atrial fibrillation (afib) is a chronic disease with no reliable cure that is caused by a chaotic heart rhythm. The heart has both metaphysical and physical meaning as the place where the spirit resides, a symbol of love, and as an organ that provides life. Yoga can be integrated as a holistic modality that has both physical and metaphysical benefits. Literature demonstrates that yoga can reduce self-assessed symptoms of afib, secondary outcomes, and objective episodes of afib. Negative emotional states can increase afib frequency. Yoga has been found to improve emotional states, ability to cope with chronic disease, perceived wellness, …

A Systematic Review Of Medical Students’ And Professionals’ Attitudes And Knowledge Regarding Medical Cannabis As A Proxy For Forecasting Trends In The Medical Community’S Acceptance Of Therapeutic Hallucinogens, Jared Weisman

Pitzer Senior Theses

Background: In recent years, the renewed global interest in both hallucinogens’ and cannabis’ therapeutic properties has resulted in shifting attitudes and legislative policies worldwide. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the existing literature on medical professionals’ and students’ attitudes and knowledge regarding medicinal cannabis (MC) to assess any relevant and significant trends which may forecast analogous trends in the nascent clinical acceptance of hallucinogens.

Methods: Using Google Scholar and PubMed, a literature search was performed to identify studies pertaining to healthcare professionals’ and medical students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding MC. This systematic search yielded 43 studies published …

Yoga As A Women’S Population Health Intervention, Lisa Ann Clow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women’s mortality rate in the United States has increased in almost every age group in the past several years. However, more women in the United States are choosing yoga as a complementary health approach to improve general well-being. Thus, research on yoga and other factors that affect women’s health in the United States may inform public health initiatives to address the health disparities in women’s mortality rates. Grounded in the health belief model, the purpose of this study was to explore whether the factors of practicing the components of yoga, doctor’s recommendation for increased physical activity, body mass index (BMI) …

Namaste In The Usa: The Growing Pains That Traditional Yoga Faces In America – An International Marketing Case Study, Clay T. Wilderman, Mona Sinha

The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research

Yoga is a mind, body, and spiritual practice that originated nearly 5,000 years in India. It is known to relieve stress, enhance athletic performance, increase strength and flexibility as well as assist in achieving inner peace, focus, and improving mental wellness. In recent years, the practice of yoga has grown exponentially in the United States with about 37 million practitioners in 2016. However, the future growth of yoga in the U.S faces some critical challenges. American innovations in yoga techniques and the rise of the yoga accessories industry with deep linkages with consumerism, is drawing the practice away from its …

Evidence-Based Music Therapy Treatment To Elevate Mood During Acute Stroke Care, Jessica L. Rushing

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. with approximately 795,000 Americans experiencing a stroke each year. In addition to common difficulties with communication and physical impairments following stroke, psychosocial impacts warrant assessment and treatment. Experiencing a stroke can lead to depression, mood disorders, and difficulties with emotion regulation. It is well documented that post-stroke depression (PSD) affects a third of stroke survivors. Higher levels of depression and depressive symptoms are associated with a less efficient use of rehabilitation services, poor functional outcomes, greater odds of hospital readmission, negative impacts on social participation, and increased mortality. The …

Dr. Tele-Corporation: Bridging The Access-To-Care Gap, Nader Amer

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

The United States is currently confronting an access-to-healthcare crisis, which rural regions are experiencing at a disproportionate rate. Many commentators have touted telemedicine as a solution for the access-to-care issue. Telemedicine uses video and telecommunication technology to allow physicians to treat patients from distant locations and thus facilitates a more equal distribution of physicians throughout the United States.

Although the telemedicine industry is quickly growing, the corporate practice of medicine doctrine impedes the industry’s expansion and consequently obstructs a viable solution to the access-to-care crisis. Generally, the corporate practice of medicine doctrine prohibits corporations and limited liability companies from employing …

The Use Of Dhea In The Treatment Of Depression, Bryan Tipton

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated ester (DHEA-S) are important pre-hormones that also have direct neurohormonal effects on the central nervous system. Over the last twenty years, data have revealed that serum DHEA peaks in a person’s mid-20s and steadily declines throughout their lifetime. In addition, women tend to have lower values than men. This is of note because lower serum values tend to be correlated with increased risk of depression, worse depressive symptoms, and increased risk of relapse into depression. A review of literature concerning DHEA’s age related values, its association with depression, and its use in the treatment of …

When Bad Genes Ruin A Perfectly Good Outlook: Psychological Implications Of Hereditary Breast And Ovarian Cancer Via Narrative Inquiry Methodology, Cammi Clark

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Scientists debunked the belief that breast cancer is always viral with the mid-90s discovery of the first hereditary genetic mutation linked to a significantly higher-than average chance of breast and ovarian cancer. This genetic condition, called Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC), passes the mutation from generation to generation in a family. Thousands of variations of such mutations exist, and carriers account for 10 to 15% of all breast cancer, and up to 20% of ovarian (Childers et al., 2017). In addition, genetic testing uncovered a rapidly rising number of healthy people (never had breast/ovarian cancer) who are also carriers, …

A Singer’S Stress: Yoga And Meditation Techniques In The Collegiate Voice Studio, Zackery David Morris

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Often neglected in voice study is the understanding that a singer’s instrument lives in his/her body and therefore cannot be packed away like other musical objects. Yoga and mindfulness compliment the belief of a whole body instrument. Data gathered on college campuses report that stress and anxiety are on the rise, thus reinforcing the need for MBSR and yoga as beneficial and proven tools for stress relief. The current state of research in the realm of mental health in colleges merits the study of a cohesive layout of these exercises and their expected outcomes in singing as well as stress …

On The Efficacy Of Moringa Oleifera As Anticancer Treatment: A Literature Survey, Florentin Smarandache, Victor Christianto

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

Medicinal plants are important elements of indigenous medical system that have persisted in developing countries. Many of the botanical chemo-preventions currently used as potent anticancer agents. However, some important anticancer agents are still extracted from plants because they cannot be synthesized chemically on a commercial scale due to their complex structures that often contain several chiral centers. The aim of this study was to test different extracts from the Moringa oleifera leaves. Previous studies have shown potentially antioxidant, antitumor promoter, anticlastogen and anticarcinogen activities both in vitro and in vivo. Emerging evidence indicates that efficacy of Moringa oleifera in cancer …

Integrating Alexander Technique Into Treatment Of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis To Improve Patient Quality Of Life, Ana Nishioka

Scripps Senior Theses

The following thesis posits training in the Alexander Technique as a possible solution to address the comorbidities of poor body image and reduced feelings of efficacy in patients treated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Both literature and personal accounts of AIS highlight that current conservative methods of treating AIS offered by the Western medical sphere, including observation, bracing, and physical therapy, do not adequately address, and may actually exacerbate, negative mental health symptoms. Patients are often represented as their external orthopedic diagnosis and receive limited emotional guidance in exploring their internal feelings about their body and its capabilities. Alexander Technique …

Is Acupuncture An Effective Treatment For Alleviating Fibromyalgia?, Brittney Beckmon-Forrester

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not acupuncture is an effective treatment for alleviating fibromyalgia.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials published in 2014, 2016, and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources for this review were articles published in peer-reviewed journals using PubMed Database.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: The outcome measured was the patients decrease in pain intensity through the use of the visual analog scale.

RESULTS: Stival et al. (2014) found that the change in pain for patients who received true acupuncture to be statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0001. Ugurle …

Is Aromatherapy Effective In Treating Emotional Instability In Women Undergoing Surgical Breast Procedures?, Stephanie Deem

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is aromatherapy effective in treating emotional instability in women undergoing surgical breast procedures?”

Study Design: Systematic review of one single-site, randomized study, one randomized control trial, and one randomized, placebo-controlled study, all English language, one published in 2016 and two published in 2017.

Data Sources: Studies were published in peer-reviewed journals and researched via the PubMed Database.

Outcomes Measured: All of the articles analyzed the effectiveness of aromatherapy in treating emotional instability in women undergoing surgical breast procedures. Improved emotional instability was …

Is Honey, As Adjunctive Therapy, Effective In Alleviating Nasal Allergy Symptoms?, Arielle N. Ditzel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether honey used as adjunctive therapy is effective in alleviating nasal allergy symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a systematic review of three randomized controlled trials published between 2010-2013, all in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials, which studied the effects of honey used as adjunctive therapy for the relief of nasal allergy symptoms, these were obtained using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome of each study was a patient reported decrease in the number of days and the severity of nasal allergy symptoms including: sneezing, itching, nasal …

Does Adjuvant Therapy With Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) Improve Joint Tenderness In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis?, Eileen Fauteux

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not adjuvant therapy with Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) improves joint tenderness in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of 3 double-blind, randomized controlled trials from 2010- 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Three peer-reviewed journal articles written in English were found using PubMed. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the question and whether the outcome measured was patient-oriented evidence that matters.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: All articles analyzed the effectiveness of adjunctive treatment with omega-3 fatty acids on the improvement of joint tenderness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. …

Is Acupuncture Effective In Reducing Opioid Cravings In Detoxifying Opioid Abusing Adults?, Sarah Kish

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is acupuncture effective in reducing opioid cravings in detoxifying opioid abusing adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three RCTs published in English, each of which was published in 2009, 2013 and 2014 respectively.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer-reviewed journals that evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture to reduce opioid cravings found via PubMed and ScienceDirect.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Opioid cravings via 100 millimeter analog scale score, the Maudsely craving score consisting of five-point Likert scales and withdraw symptoms as measured by a 4-point …

Is Curcumin An Effective Treatment For Major Depressive Disorder?, Virginia Hoptman

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not curcumin is an effective treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Two of the studies were randomized, double-blind, and placebo controlled. The third study was a randomized controlled trial. All three studies were chosen due to relevance to the clinical question and if they included patient oriented outcomes. The studies were found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes of the studies were measured using self-report scales on each patient’s mood. The …

Can Yoga Therapy Help To Decrease Osteoarthritis-Related Pain In Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis?, Justin Mahr

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not yoga therapy can help to decrease osteoarthritis-related pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Study Design: A review of two randomized controlled trials and one randomized control trial pilot study that were published in English in peer-reviewed journals after 2007.

Data Sources: All articles were selected from peer-reviewed journals and found via PubMed.

Outcome(s) Measured: Patient perception of pain using either a Walking Numerical Rating Scale (WNRS) and/or a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index scale (WOMAC).

Results: All three studies …

Is Acupuncture A Beneficial Therapy For The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependence?, Jamie E. Mcginn

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not acupuncture is a beneficial therapy for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trails (RCTs) which were published in 2007, 2015, and 2016.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were presented in English and taken from peer reviewed journals found on PubMed.

OUTCOMES: The various symptoms of alcohol dependence; from withdrawal, cravings, and use were assessed through various methods. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms were assed using the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome scale, alcohol craving was assed using a Visual Analogue Scale, and alcohol use was measured …

Are Substances Found In Green Tea Effective In Reducing Inflammatory And Noninflammatory Lesion Counts In Men And Women With Acne Vulgaris?, Kimberly I. Ward

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the substances found in green tea are effective in reducing noninflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts in men and women with acne vulgaris.

STUDY DESIGN: Systemic review of two double-blind RCTs and one case study published after 2008, all in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources obtained for this review were found using PubMed, published in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on relevance to the clinical question, outcomes measured and date published.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes were measured based off of reduction in total lesion counts, …

Does Grounding To The Earth Reduce Subjective Experience Of Pain?, Adam Umbro

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not grounding to the earth reduces subjective experience of pain.

STUDY DESIGN: This paper evaluates one double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial, one randomized placebo-controlled trial, and one prospective cohort trial investigating the efficacy of grounding in reducing subjects’ experience of pain.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were published in English language peer-reviewed journals and accessed through PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured in this review is the subjective experience of pain by study participants. Pain levels are measured using a visual-analog pain scale or pain survey.

RESULTS: Two studies …

Is Ginger An Effective Treatment For Reducing The Severity Of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea In Breast Cancer Patients?, Julina Taurino

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is ginger an effective treatment for reducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea in breast cancer patients?”

Study Design: The systematic review of three English language, peer reviewed, randomized control trials have been published between 2015 and 2016.

Data Sources: Three randomized control trials were obtained using the PubMed database. One single-blind randomized control trial, one double-blinded randomized control trial, and one double-blind Phase II-III randomized control trial.

Outcomes Measured: The participants of the trials graded the severity of nausea after the intervention of ginger or the …

Does Lavender Oil Improve Sleep Quality In Adults Ages 18 To 65 Years Old?, Staci Sommerfeld

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not lavender oil is an effective therapy in improving the overall sleep quality in patients ages 18 to 65 years old.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of one double-blind two-stage randomized control trial (RCT), one double-blind RCT, and one single-blind RCT.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were published in English and were taken from peer reviewed sources using CINAHL Plus and Alt HealthWatch. All articles used were published between 2010-2015.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Two of the article’s outcomes were based on the patient selfreporting improved sleep quality using the Pittsburgh …

Does Yoga Improve Symptoms In Patients With Parkinson’S Disease?, Victoria L. Starner

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not yoga improved symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed primary studies published between 2014 and 2018.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials and one before and after case study evaluating if yoga can improve symptoms for patients who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

OUTCOMES MEASURES: The outcomes that were measured were balance and movement speed. Balance was measured using single leg balance test, single leg stance, and Berg Balance Scale. Movement speed, bradykinesia, was measured using the Unified Parkinson’s …

Is Electroacupuncture Effective In Improving Quality Of Life For Women With Urinary Incontinence?, Shelby Kaminsky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not “Is electroacupuncture effective in improving quality of life for women with urinary incontinence?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of 3 peer-reviewed studies published between the years of 2014 and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized placebo-controlled studies and one comparative study evaluating if electroacupuncture (EA) and/or the use of tolterodine improves the quality of life and therapeutic effects of those with urinary incontinence (UI). Sources were selected from PubMed and Cochrane Library based off of their relevance to the clinical question and the outcomes …