Masa Sasagawa

POSITIVE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE USE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND INTERNAL HEALTH LOCUS OF CONTROL

BACKGROUND Because many people with chronic medical conditions use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), understanding their psychosocial characteristics may be useful for identifying effective interventions. The health locus of control (HLOC) measures the perception of controlling ones own health outcomes by various attributes. People with a high internal HLOC believe that the outcome of their own health seeking is related to their behavior or personal investment. Earlier evidence has shown that a higher internal HLOC is a predictive factor of positive treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study measured the correlation between the degree of CAM use and the level of HLOC. DESIGN An online cross-sectional survey was conducted via public bulletin boards and invitational e-mails. Data from 123 usable responses were analyzed for bivariate correlation between CAM use and HLOC. Subjective reports of various medical modalities were classified into six CAM domains and one conventional biomedicine domain. Subscales of HLOC included internal, chance, and powerful others. Chronic conditions, health status, and demographics were self-reported. RESULTS Internal HLOC significantly correlated with CAM use (Spearmans rho, P < .004) but not with conventional medicine use (Spearmans rho, P > .130). Further analysis of this correlation for those people with chronic conditions could not identify a particular domain used more by people with a high internal HLOC (P > .187), but the lesser use of conventional medicine was significant (P < .031). CONCLUSION Complementary and alternative medicine is either empowering or has empowered patients to use CAM. People who use CAM may have a better prognosis and better management of chronic conditions.

Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Trametes versicolor in Women with Breast Cancer

Introduction. Orally administered preparations from the Trametes versicolor (Tv) mushroom have been hypothesized to improve immune response in women with breast cancer after standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Methods. A phase I, two-center, dose escalation study was done to determine the maximum tolerated dose of a Tv preparation when taken daily in divided doses for 6 weeks after recent completion of radiotherapy. Eleven participants were recruited and nine women completed the study. Each cohort was comprised of three participants given one of three doses of Tv (3, 6, or 9 grams). Immune data was collected pre- and postradiation, at 3 on-treatment time points and after a 3-week washout. Results. Nine adverse events were reported (7 mild, 1 moderate, and 1 severe), suggesting that Tv was well tolerated. Immunological results indicated trends in (1) increased lymphocyte counts at 6 and 9 grams/day; (2) increased natural killer cell functional activity at 6 grams/day; (3) dose-related increases in CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells , but not CD4+ T cells or CD16+56+ NK cells. Conclusion. These findings show that up to 9 grams/day of a Tv preparation is safe and tolerable in women with breast cancer in the postprimary treatment setting. This Tv preparation may improve immune status in immunocompromised breast cancer patients following standard primary oncologic treatment.

Effects of Qigong on Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes A randomized controlled pilot study

Qigong is a traditional Chinese energy medicine practice combining breathing, movement, and meditation. Although previous studies suggest that Qigong may be a beneficial adjunct treatment for individuals with type 2 diabetes (1–3), few randomized controlled trials of Qigong in patients with type 2 diabetes have been performed. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of Qigong relative to physical exercise or standard care on glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Two hundred fifty-one potential subjects were phone screened, 46 individuals were further evaluated at Bastyr University, and 32 eligible participants enrolled in the study. Age- and sex-matched participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group 1 ( n = 11) received the Qigong intervention, group 2 ( n = 10) …

Utilization of Acupuncture Therapy among Pediatric Oncology Patients at a Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital

Background: Acupuncture is infrequently studied in the pediatric oncology population. However its potential as a complementary cancer care modality in the reduction of treatment-related side effects and improvements in quality of life has been demonstrated in adults. Our study aims to characterize the patients and utilization of acupuncture therapy among the pediatric population. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records for patients between the ages of 0-18 years, undergoing treatment for an oncological diagnosis and had received acupuncture therapy between January 2004 and September 2012 was conducted. Results: A total of 133 patients, comprising 3.2% of our pediatric oncology population, utilized acupuncture therapy. A cumulative of 523 acupuncture treatments was provided. Treatments were tolerated well by patients, perceived as beneficial, and without any serious adverse events. Acupuncture treatments addressed a wide variety of patients’ complaints and cancer treatment-related side effects. Conclusions: Acupuncture use among the pediatric oncology population is relatively low; however, our findings demonstrate its potential as a complementary cancer care modality in clinical practice for this unique population in the future.