Studies and Progress Notes (Nov 2008)

* * * STUDIES and PROGRESS NOTES* * *

* *  SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND WHOLISTIC HEALING * * 

Effects of external qigong therapy on osteoarthritis of the knee, a randomized controlled trial

Note: External qigong is treatment by the qigong healer rather than self-healing that is common with personal qigong practices.

Abstract 
The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy of external qigong therapy (EQT), a traditional Chinese medicine practice, in reducing pain and improving functionality of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). One hundred twelve adults with knee OA were randomized to EQT or sham treatment (control); 106 completed treatment and were analyzed. Two therapists performed EQT individually, five to six sessions in 3 weeks. The sham healer mimicked EQT for the same number of sessions and duration. Patients and examining physician were blinded. Primary outcomes were Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC) pain and function; other outcomes included McGill Pain Questionnaire, time to walk 15 m, and range of motion squatting. Results of patients treated by the two healers were analyzed separately. Both treatment groups reported significant reduction in WOMAC scores after intervention. Patients treated by healer 2 reported greater reduction in pain (mean improvement −25.7 ± 6.6 vs. −13.1 ± 3.0; p < 0.01) and more improvement in functionality (−28.1 ± 9.7 vs. −13.2 ± 3.4; p < 0.01) than those in sham control and reduction in negative mood but not in anxiety or depression. Patients treated by healer 1 experienced improvement similar to control. The results of therapy persisted at 3 months follow-up for all groups. Mixed-effect models confirmed these findings with controlling for possible confounders. EQT might have a role in the treatment of OA, but our data indicate that all EQT healers are not equivalent. The apparent efficacy of EQT appears to be dependent on some quality of the healer. Further study on a larger scale with multiple EQT healers is necessary to determine the role (if any) of EQT in the treatment of OA and to identify differences in EQT techniques.

Source: Chen, Kevin W; Perlman, Adam; Liao, Jason G; Lam, Alex; Staller, Joy; and Sigal, Leonard H. Effects of external qigong therapy on osteoarthritis of the knee, A randomized controlled trial, Clinical Rheumatology  DOI 10.1007/s10067-008-0955-4  July 25, 2008
Contact Information:  Kevin W Chen  kchen@compmed.umm.edu

IJHC – WHR Observations

This is a helpful study, not only in confirming effects of external qigong therapy but also in confirming commonly held beliefs that it is not just the healing methods that produce effects, but the person who is administering the treatments. It is unclear what the differences are in effects of EQT on pain, functionality, and reduction in negative mood vs no significant effects on anxiety or depression (unclear from the abstract how negative mood differs from depression).

**  FUTURE RESEARCH IN WHOLISTIC HEALING * * 

The IJHC/WHR E-Zine features monthly suggestions for future research in healing.
READERS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS FOR TOPICS TO STUDY
If your topic is chosen, you ill receive free access to the IJHC for a month, including the current issue and all back issues. 
 
Long-term studies of healing on pain needed

While anecdotal reports indicate that spiritual healing can relieve pains of all sorts permanently, the research to date has focused on immediate effects of healing. It is of practical and theoretical interest to know whether these effects are long-lasting.

My personal observations indicate that the pain relief from some CAM therapies is short lasting.

* *  WHOLISTIC APPROACHES * *

Does innate musicality exists in our genes?

Larry Dossey reports that several researchers have converted genetic codes into musical scores.

“Susumo Ohno has cracked a new genetic code. When this 58-year-old geneticist sets the genes to music—or music to genes—some strange and wonderful things occur. To wit: The SARS oncogene, a malignant gene first discovered in chickens, causes cancer in humans as well. When Ohno translated the gene into music, it sounded very much like Chopin's Funeral March. An enzyme called phosphoglycerate kinase, which breaks down glucose in the body revealed itself to Ohno as a lullaby…”

Dossey, Larry. The Extra-Ordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things. New York, NY: Harmony Books 2006, pp. 103-5.

IJHC – WHR Observations

Larry Dossey’s observations on an inherent musicality in genetic sequences suggests that music may speak to us more deeply than through enculturated habits.

Dossey’s book is highly recommended for its wonderful collection of observations on wholistic healing and the human condition.

Confirmation of acupuncture points on the ear correlating with ulcers

ABSTRACT
Background: Pathology of a particular organ causes related skin areas (organ projection areas [OPAs]) to rectify electrical currents (diode phenomenon), once the resistance breakthrough effect has been induced in the skin.

Objectives: To localize auricular projection areas of the stomach and duodenum, and to evaluate their usefulness in the monitoring of ulcer disease.

Design, Patients, and Setting: Case-control study comparing the degree of electrical rectification measured at various spots in the auricular concha region in 18 patients with gastric ulcers, 17 with duodenal ulcers, and 17 controls from the 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Silesian School of Medicine, Poland.

Intervention: Evaluation of electrical verification at OPAs on the auricular concha using a "rectification ratio" (normal range, 0%-60%; 0%=no rectification.

Main Outcome Measures: The location of skin areas where a statistically significant difference existed between the rectification ratios observed in patients vs controls.

Results: Locations were identified on ear auricles where the electrical rectification phenomenon displayed a dependence on the presence of ulcers. In patients with gastric ulcers, the rectification ratio in the stomach OPA was a mean (SD) of 87% (8%) while in other areas it was 37% (9%). After treatment, the rectification ratio in the stomach OPA decreased to 58% (12%). In patients with duodenal ulcers, the rectification ratio in the duodenum OPA was a mean (SD) of 84% (9%) while in other areas it was 41% (11%). After treatment, the rectification ratio in the duodenum OPA decreased to 52% (14%). In controls, no areas of high rectification ratio were observed (42% [8%]).

Conclusions: Stomach and duodenum OPAs exist on the ear auricle within the region of cymba conchae. The existence of gastric or duodenal ulcers causes these skin areas to display a higher degree of rectification which may be monitored.

IJHC – WHR Observations

It is very helpful to have confirmation - in electrodermal measures on the ear - of correlations with gastric and duodenal ulcers. The holographic nature of the body is again confirmed in this study.

 * *  COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES * * 

The National Library for Health (UK) Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) Specialist Library has published two annual evidence updates:

2008 Annual Evidence Update on CAM for Low Back Pain

The Annual Evidence Update on CAM for low back pain aims to present a comprehensive collection of up-to-date information that has been subject to rigorous selection criteria. We have carried out searches in a number of databases, covering the period from June 2007 to July 2008. A list of the relevant guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials, along with commentaries from experts are be available from the Library's website http://www.library.nhs.uk/cam/, or via this link: http://www.library.nhs.uk/cam/ViewResource.aspx?resID=292622&tabID=289.

2008 Annual Evidence Update on CAM in Depression

This annual evidence update on complementary and alternative medicine for depression aims to identify, organise and present the latest information on this topic. We have searched a large number of databases for studies published or updated in the last 5 years in order to update work originally conducted as part of the CAMEOL project: http://www.rccm.org.uk/cameol/. This update is scheduled to be published soon.

IJHC – WHR Observations

These are very helpful resources.

More CAM reviews at
http://www.naturalhealthvillage.com/
www.mdlinx.com/FamilyMDLinx 
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~camig/litsearch.html
AMSA website
www.amsa.org/humed/camresources/camnews.cfm

* * TECHNOLOGY * *

Virtual reality gives a boost to physiotherapy

“Patients who need physiotherapy following a stroke or accident could soon be put through their paces in a virtual reality environment.

A researcher at the University of Portsmouth is creating a rehabilitation program that places patients on a treadmill and into a virtual world. It works by using moving images to trick the patient’s brain into thinking he or she is walking more slowly than they are which in turn encourages them to walk faster and further.

Early results also suggest that patients using virtual rehabilitation may experience less pain than with traditional physiotherapy alone…”

[This] “system uses a variety of different images from urban landscapes to forest and mountain scenes. She has built a system of rewards into some of the programmes, which encourages the patient to pick up objects and collect points. She said that older people were not at all put off by the ‘computer game’ element but seemed to enjoy it.”

Source: www.port.ac.uk/aboutus/newsandevents/frontpagenews/title,81364,en.html

IJHC – WHR Observations

Making a game out of rehabilitation introduces stimulation, playfulness and hope into situations that are usually drab and dull.

1-800-goog411

Just leave it up to Google http://www.google.com/ to come up with something like this!

Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411.  This is an awesome service from Google, and it's FREE!

Don't waste your money on information calls and don't waste your time manually dialing the number.  I am driving along in my car and I need to call the golf course and I don't know the number.  I hit the speed dial for “411Google” that I have programmed.

The voice at the other end says, "City & State."

I say, "Kalamazoo, Michigan."

He says, "Business, Name or Type of Service."

I say, “Hideaway Inn Restaurant."

He says, "Connecting" and Hideaway answers the phone.  How great is that?  This is nationwide and it is absolutely free!

You can also get a text message about the business you selected

Click on the link below and watch the short clip for a quick demonstration.

http://www.google.com/goog411/

IJHC – WHR Observations

This is particularly helpful in states where new laws are limiting cell phones in vehicles to voice activated mode.

* *  ENVIRONMENT (HEALING OUR PLANET) * *

Climate Change: Faster, stronger, sooner

Scientific research on climate change and its impacts published since the deadline for the latest assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is revealing that global warming is accelerating, at times far beyond IPCC 2007 forecasts. This brief summary seeks to bring together some of the key findings, including particular impacts of climate change in Europe.
 
This sobering overview comes at a critical time during the political negotiations of the EU’s climate and energy package, which will set emission reduction targets out to 2020. An ambitious package could put the EU in the driving seat for negotiating a breakthrough to a successful global deal to tackle climate change that we so desperately need. To achieve this, the package must clearly be based on policies that accurately reflect the scale of the challenge we face. These policies must cover what the EU needs to do to put itself on a low carbon trajectory and play its fair part in keeping the increase in global average temperatures below 2°C. The EU must also determine the scale of financial assistance that we owe to developing countries to help them tackle climate change and adapt to those impacts that are already unavoidable. A weak EU package, on the other hand, may well lead to a collapse of the international negotiations currently due to conclude at the UN conference in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. We must not allow this to happen.
 
WWF calls on the EU to:
1 Immediately adopt an emission reduction target of at least 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 – to be delivered within the boundaries of the EU; and
2 Commit – on top of its own reduction target – to provide additional substantial support and funding for investment in socially and environmentally robust adaptation and mitigation activities in developing countries.

Source: http://www.wwf.org.uk/research_centre/index.cfm?uNewsID=2289
 

IJHC – WHR Observations

With global heating threatening the continued existence of all life as we know it on our planet, this alarm raises the urgency of addressing carbon emissions.

For detailed discussions of global heating and suggestions on how to prevent global toasting see:

Brown, Lester R.Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, New York: WW Norton 2008. Best book on the interconnections between carbon emissions and all other ecological issues.

Hawken. Paul. Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw it Coming,  NY: Viking/ Penguin 2007.

Promote green buildings for biggest, easiest cuts in North American CO2 emissions, says new Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) report

“Buildings responsible for over one-third of continent’s CO2 emissions; Report prescribes policies to slash buildings’ energy use.
 
Promoting the green design, construction, renovation and operation of buildings could cut North American greenhouse gas emissions that are fuelling climate change more deeply, quickly and cheaply than any other available measure, according to a new report issued by the trinational Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC).

North America’s buildings cause the annual release of more than 2,200 megatons of CO2 into the atmosphere, about 35 percent of the continent’s total. The report says rapid market uptake of currently available and emerging advanced energy-saving technologies could result in over 1,700 fewer megatons of CO2 emissions in 2030, compared to projected emissions that year following a business-as-usual approach. A cut of that size would nearly equal the CO2 emitted by the entire US transportation sector in 2000.”

Source: http://www.cec.org/news/details/index.cfm?varlan=english&ID=2788

IJHC – WHR Observations

It is vital to survival of life on our planet that we attend to every possible source for CO2 emissions.

See discussions of ways to build and retrofit buildings to be more environmentally sound:
http://www.greenbuilding.com/

The National GreenBuilding Conference will be held on December 3-4, 2008 concurrently with Canada’s largest design and construction event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building. http://www.nationalgreenbuildingexpo.com/home/home.htm

 

 * *  HUMAN ECOLOGY* * 

Basic sanitation is still one of the most important innovations in healthcare

“Bangladesh is facing an environmental crisis.

It has the highest population density of any nation on the planet; and a half of its people are without adequate sanitation.

As a result, the rivers and fields are polluted with human waste that enters the food chain.

According to figures from Water Aid, 125,000 children under the age of five die each year from diarrheal diseases…”

Simple education on sanitation and the use of toilets is saving lives.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7297299.stm

IJHC – WHR Observations

Here, as in most health-related issues, prevention is far more potent than cure in promoting health.