Integrative Medicine Commons^™

Aching For Sacred Spaces, Arjun Mann

Akesis

This image was made in early 2021, inside a local cafe that was operating takeout-only. It is a space that is very dear to me, one in which I spent countless hours (pre-pandemic) studying and reading, rejuvenating and relaxing with friends.

Recently, as I browsed books while waiting for a latte to-go, this scene caught my eye. The warm light pouring in through a large window fell over my favorite table, marked as "unavailable" by the chairs perched upon it. It would remain, understandably, unavailable for months to come. I was reminded, as I so often am these days, of …

Aurora Stronger, Sarah J. Stengle

Akesis

For my Integrate Clinical Experience class, we were asked to complete journal entries based on our experiences, podcasts, and/or APTA modules. This was one of my entries about a podcast on allyship in the field of physical therapy that can also be applied to any medical field. The podcast can be found at http://podcast.healthywealthysmart.com/pod-cast/ episode 499. This entry is about my personal experience during the peaceful protests and riot that ensued after the unjust murder of George Floyd. Dr. Adrienne McAuley suggested I submit this work to Akesis to share my experience and my personal beliefs change after I decided …

Resignation, Kaline E. Mulvihill

Akesis

I have struggled with anxiety and depression for most of my life. At first, I didn't understand it. Then, I was embarrassed by it. I chose to hide my struggle. It became my own silent battle. A battle I was slowly losing. In March of 2020, the world shut down. A dark, suffocating cloud began to settle over all of us. Life as we knew it, completely changed. At first, I thought I was handling the drastic life changes. I thought I was simply adapting. Then it happened, I lost control. My body physically prevented me from sleeping. It was …

The After Math, Amy L. Courtney

Akesis

Poetry reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic

How Covid-19 Showed Me The Importance Of Patient Education, Katie Lamar

Akesis

This is a personnal reflection upon how COVID-19 impacted me and highlighted to me the importance of patient education.

Heart-Healthy Integrative Nutritional Counseling Group Education Sessions Among Chinese Americans With Cardiovascular Risk Factors Or Disease: A Primary Care Quality Improvement Pilot, Jasmin Woo, Evelyn Y. Ho, Jane Jih

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Current biomedical cardiovascular disease nutrition counseling does not incorporate Chinese medicine principles.

Methods: A heart-healthy integrative nutritional counseling (H2INC) curriculum consistent with Chinese medicine principles and biomedical nutrition guidelines was taught to Chinese Americans in group education sessions. Chinese-speaking patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors from an urban general medicine practice were recruited to attend a 90-minute group session. Participants completed pre-post surveys to assess the impact of H2INC on their perceived heart-healthy nutrition knowledge and empowerment, as well as the cultural relevance of H2INC.

Results: A total of 47 participants (mean age: 74 years; 63.8% female) attended …

D-Dimer Levels And Acute Pulmonary Embolism Development In Covid-19 Patients, Vural Ahmet, Kahraman Ahmet Nedim

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Objective. To identify those who develop pulmonary embolism with Ddimer levels by evaluating pulmonary CT angiographies of patients who are followed up with suspicion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods. Patients who were followed up in a community hospital with suspicion of COVID-19 and underwent Pulmonary CT angiography examination were evaluated. Clinical and demographic parameters and DDimer values for patients with and without pulmonary embolism were evaluated in the pulmonary CT angiogram. Results. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thorax CT examination was performed in our center for suspicion or follow-up of COVID-19 infection in 3396 patients. Pulmonary CT angiography was applied …

Caesarean Section Versus Vaginal Birth In The Perception Of Woman Who Gave Birth By Both Methods, Octavian Gabriel Olaru, Anca Daniela Stanescu, Cristina Raduta, Liana Ples, Adriana Vasilache, Nicolae Bacalbasa, Andrei Vasilache, Oana Denisa Balalau

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The increase in the number of births by Caesarean section is a phenomenon whose global expansion is generated by numerous factors and especially by the contemporary perceptions of women regarding childbirth meeting the interests of the professionals in the field. However, the opinion of many women towards the benefits of Caesarean delivery is often not based on the experience or information from reliable sources. This study aimed at sharing the experience of women who gave birth both vaginally and by Caesarean section, focusing on their perception of these events. The study included 26 women and the conclusion of the vast …

Biochemical And Echocardiographic Markers For The Early Detection Of Cardiotoxicity Under Monoclonal Antibodies Therapy, Ionela-Emilia Popovici, Angela Cozma, Olga Hilda Orasan, George Ciulei, Ana Maria Poenar, Cristina Buchman, Simina Tarmure, Sorina Secara, Adela Sitar-Taut, Teodora Alexescu, Andrada Lazar, Vasile Negrean, Lucia Maria Procopciuc

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The progress made over the past years in the field of cancer therapy has led to a significant decrease in cancer mortality, but these therapies have many adverse effects, cardiovascular effects being among the most frequent ones. For increasing lifelong expectancy of surviving cancer patients, cardiac monitoring represents an important task. Current studies and practice recommend echocardiography using strain analysis for monitoring the cardio toxic effects of cancer therapy. The potential of combining imaging techniques with biomarkers for the early detection and diagnosis seems a promising path for future research.

Spiritual Fitness: A New Dimension In Alzheimer's Disease Prevention, Dharma Singh Khalsa, Andrew B. Newberg

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Religious and spiritual interventions may have an effect on Alzheimer's disease prevention. Kirtan Kriya meditation has been shown to mitigate the deleterious effects of chronic stress on cognition, reverse memory loss, and create psychological and spiritual wellbeing, which may reduce multiple drivers of Alzheimer's disease risk.

OBJECTIVE: To detail a new concept in medicine called Spiritual Fitness, a merging of stress reduction, basic wellbeing, and psycho/spiritual wellbeing to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS: The literature on the topics mentioned above is described, including an in-depth discussion on why and how each are critical to advancing the future of Alzheimer's disease …

The Use Of Life-Like Robotic Animals In The Acute Care Setting To Assist In The Care Of Patients With Dementia, Abby Denby

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

The purpose of this pilot project was to describe the effect of life-like robotic animals on the nurses’ ability to provide care, patients’ level of agitation, use of antipsychotic medications, restraint and sitter use for patients with dementia in an acute care setting. Nurses report challenges and feelings of helplessness while caring for patients with dementia. Dementia may cause depression, agitation, aggression (physical or verbal) and a decrease quality of life. Animal Assisted Therapy (ATT) is a growing therapy in many healthcare settings but there is a lack of literature specifically related to the use of AAT in the acute …

Conference Proceedings: Aurora Scientific Day 2020

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Abstracts published in this supplement were among those presented at the 46th annual Aurora Scientific Day research symposium, held virtually on May 20, 2020. The symposium provides a forum for describing research studies conducted by faculty, fellows, residents, and allied health professionals affiliated with Wisconsin-based Aurora Health Care, a part of the Advocate Aurora Health health system, which publishes the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews.

Carbamazepine-Induced Dress Syndrome: A Case Report, Andrada Luciana Lazar, Olga Hilda Orășan, Corina Baican, Nicolae Voicu Rednic, Adela Sitar-Tăut, Bogdan Man, Vasile Negrean, Nicolae Rednic, Angela Cozma

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a potentially life-threatening, idiosyncratic, acute adverse drug reaction. Fever, morbilliform cutaneous eruption, and eosinophilia are essential features for the diagnosis of this syndrome, along with significant multisystem involvement, hepatitis being the most common, followed by nephritis. The pathogenesis of DRESS syndrome is not yet fully understood. Several hypotheses have been proposed which support the involvement of an intricate interplay of multiple factors. We report a clinical case of DRESS syndrome with renal injury, induced by carbamazepine, in a patient with alcohol abstinence syndrome. In order to define the case, the …

Study On The Formulation And Characterization Of A Photoprotective Cream Containing A New Synthetized Compound, Teodora Dalila Balaci, Emma Adriana Ozon, Daniela Luiza Baconi, Georgiana Nițulescu, Bruno Velescu, Cristian Bălălău, Ioana Păunică, Cătălina Ancuța Fița

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Starting from a new organic sunscreen synthesized in our laboratory by the condensation of sodium salt of the p-aminosalicylic acid with 2,6 – dichloroacetanilide, efficient cosmetic formulation with broad photoprotective properties was obtained by using the new compound as organic UV filter, metal oxides as inorganic filters, and vegetable extracts, oils and other ingredients with emollient, protective, and moisturizing effect. After showing the lack of toxicity of the new compound, in order to reduce the amount of UV filter used, it was encapsulated into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The final cream has demonstrated good qualities for skin application, possessing suitable …

Oral Pathology Induced By Excess Or Deficiency Of Glucocorticoids In Adults, Rucsandra Elena Dănciulescu Miulescu, Loreta Guja, Bogdan Socea, Anca Dumitriu, Stana Paunica, Emil Ștefănescu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Oral manifestations are present both in Cushing's syndrome and in adrenal insufficiency. Possible oro-dental pathology in patients with Cushing's syndrome include jawbone loss, tooth loss, and periodontal diseases. Professional societies did not include Cushing's syndrome as being part of systemic diseases associated with loss of periodontal supporting tissues. The comorbidities of Cushing's syndrome such as obesity, osteoporosis, and diabetes are conditions that influence periodontal attachment apparatus. In patients with adrenal primary insufficiency, the most specific sign is the melanic pigmentation of the skin and mucosal surfaces due to increments of corticotropin and pro-opiomelanocortin peptide levels that occur as a result …

Integrative Medicine In Health And Well-Being, Andrew Newberg, Madeline Becker

Department of Family & Community Medicine Presentations and Grand Rounds

For integrative approaches to become part of standard care, research is required to understand clinical effects. Clinical data needs to be supplemented by mechanistic studies. Integrative medicine and general medicine have multiple areas of intersection. Studies can evaluate mental and physical disorders such as depression or anxiety or chronic pain and fatigue. Studies can evaluate psychological symptoms associated with other medical and neurological disorders. It is important to establish efficacy and also mechanism. Future collaborations are very welcome!

Patterns Of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow As A Function Of Obesity In Adults., Daniel G Amen, Joseph Wu, Noble George, Andrew Newberg

Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: While obesity has been shown to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, the potential mechanisms underlying this risk may be clarified with better understanding of underlying physiology in obese persons.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patterns of cerebral perfusion abnormality in adults as a function of body mass index (BMI) defined weight categories, including overweight or obese status.

METHODS: A large psychiatric cohort of 35,442 brain scans across 17,721 adults (mean age 40.8±16.2 years, range 18-94 years) were imaged with SPECT during baseline and concentration scans, the latter done after each participant completed the Connors Continuous Performance Test II. ANOVA …

Differences In Brain Activity Patterns During Creative Idea Generation Between Eminent And Non-Eminent Thinkers, Evangelia G Chrysikou, Constanza Jacial, David B Yaden, Wessel Van Dam, Scott Barry Kaufman, Chris Conklin, Nancy Wintering, Rebecca E Abraham, Rex E Jung, Andrew B. Newberg

Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers

An influential model of the neural mechanisms of creative thought suggests that creativity is manifested in the joint contributions of the Default Mode Network (DMN; a set of regions in the medial PFC, lateral and medial parietal cortex, and the medial temporal lobes) and the executive networks within the dorsolateral PFC. Several empirical reports have offered support for this model by showing that complex interactions between these brain systems account for individual differences in creative performance. The present study examined whether the engagement of these regions in idea generation is modulated by one's eminence in a creativity-related field. Twenty (n …

A Web-Based, Positive Emotion Skills Intervention For Enhancing Posttreatment Psychological Well-Being In Young Adult Cancer Survivors (Empower): Protocol For A Single-Arm Feasibility Trial, John M. Salsman, Laurie E. Mclouth, Michael Cohn, Janet A. Tooze, Mia Sorkin, Judith T. Moskowitz

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs) experience clinically significant distress and have limited access to supportive care services. Interventions to enhance psychological well-being have improved positive affect and reduced depression in clinical and healthy populations but have not been routinely tested in AYAs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this protocol is to (1) test the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based positive emotion skills intervention for posttreatment AYAs called Enhancing Management of Psychological Outcomes With Emotion Regulation (EMPOWER) and (2) examine proof of concept for reducing psychological distress and enhancing psychological well-being.

METHODS: The intervention development and testing are …

A Battle For Hope, Kaline E. Mulvihill

Akesis

I have friends and family members working in all aspects of the medical system. They are PAs, PTs, nurses, doctors, caregivers, and support staff. They are on the frontline in the brutal battle against Covid-19. This is their story. It is a story about fear, duty, strength, and finding hope. While we adapt to this new normal and cope with the ever-changing landscape, we have to remember that we are all in this fight together.