Medicinal Plants Used in Mapuche Traditional Medicine in Araucanía, Chile: Linking Sociocultural and Religious Values with Local Heath Practices

The vast majority of the medicinal plants in Chile have been studied from a pharmacological point of view. These studies, although giving important insights into the understanding of the Mapuche’s traditional medicine in terms of the therapeutical value of the plants, fail, however, to portray the numerous sociocultural and symbolic aspects of this form of medicine. This article aims to overcome this shortcoming by analyzing the sociocultural and religious values of medicinal plants among the Mapuche’s rural communities in Araucanía, Chile, as well as their role in traditional medicine. The methods utilized combined participant observation with individual interviews with local shamans (machi) and villagers. Data from free-list interviews and conversations with research participants were used to develop a series of semi-structured interview questions on knowledge of herbal medicines and plants. Data show that the therapeutic efficacy of Mapuche medicine is not only based on ‘‘active agents’’ but is also related to the symbolic and religious meaning attributed to the treatments by healers and patients. The article concludes that in order to fully understand the therapeutic efficacy of the plants, it is thus necessary to comprehend the sociocultural context in which they are used.

Effects of Massage Therapy on African Americans with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study

Aims: African American (AA) subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied to determine effects of Massage Therapy/Acupressure (MTA) on vital signs (VS): blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), blood flow (BF), skin temperature (TEMP), O2 saturation (O2); well-being (WB); glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c), cortisol, and insulin. Method: Eleven AA ages 45 to 72, (8 female/3 males) were subjects. VS were obtained before and after each of 20, 60-minute MTA sessions. BF was measured with a Pulsed Doppler and decibel meter. Blood collections (n = 9) and Well-Being-22 Questionnaires [(WBQ-22) n = 11] were completed at baseline and following the 20th massage. MTA involved acupressure on spine-T-8/T-9, Urinary Bladder-UB17/UB23/U2, Stomach-ST2, Kidney-K5, Renal-R3; and Effleurage-gliding/stroking, Petrissage-kneading, Tapotement-cupping/hacking/pinching of extremities, and back/torso and Vibration Friction-neck. Hand pressure provided massage to the pancreas. VS were analyzed with General Estimation Equations, and Wilcoxon Sign Tests evaluated WBQ-22/blood work. Results: Pre/Post MTA BF increased with sessions (p = .001). Immediately following a MTA session, BP (systolic) increased while HR and TEMP decreased. Over-time MTA therapy led to significant increases in HR and BF, while TEMP decreased. No significant changes in cortisol, A1c, or insulin were noted. WBQ-22 parameters improved insignificantly; +Energy, +Positive WB, and +Total WB. Anxiety/Depression decrease. 19.5%/13.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Immediate effects of MTA were increased BP (systolic) and lower HR and TEMP. Long-term effects were higher resting HR and increased BF, while TEMP significantly decreased. MTA was feasible, well received and could have potential health benefits. Randomized controlled studies are needed to thoroughly explore this therapy as a useful adjunct to conventional allopathic care.

Mind-Body Interventions to Reduce Risk for Health Disparities Related to Stress and Strength Among African American Women: The Potential of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Loving-Kindness, and the NTU Therapeutic Framework

In the current article, the authors examine the potential role of mind-body interventions for preventing or reducing health disparities in a specific group—African American women. The authors first discuss how health disparities affect this group, including empirical evidence regarding the influence of biopsychosocial processes (e.g., psychological stress and social context) on disparate health outcomes. They also detail how African American women’s unique stress experiences as a result of distinct sociohistorical and cultural experiences related to race and gender potentially widen exposure to stressors and influence stress responses and coping behaviors. Using two independent, but related, frameworks (Superwoman Schema [SWS] and the Strong Black Woman Script [SBW-S]), they discuss how, for African American women, stress is affected by ‘‘strength’’ (vis-à-vis resilience, fortitude, and self-sufficiency) and the emergent health-compromising behaviors related to strength (e.g., emotional suppression, extraordinary caregiving, and self-care postponement). The authors then describe the potential utility of three mind-body interventions—mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), loving-kindness meditation (LKM), and NTU psychotherapy—for specifically targeting the stress-, strength-, and contextually related factors that are thought to influence disparate outcomes for African American women. Self-awareness, self-care, inter- and intrapersonal restorative healing and a redefinition of inner strength may manifest through developing a mindfulness practice to decrease stress-related responses; using LKM to cultivate compassion and forgiveness for self and others; and the balance of independence and interdependence as a grounding NTU principle for redefining strength. The authors conclude with a discussion of potential benefits for integrating key aspects of the interventions with recommendations for future research.

Yoga as a Complementary Therapy for Clinical Depression

Clinical depression is a common illness, with prevalence of current depressive symptoms in the general population of nearly 10% and lifetime diagnosis almost 16%. Yoga offers an attractive option for complementary therapy of depression. The purpose of this study was to examine research regarding the benefits of yoga for depression, to learn to what extent yoga is beneficial as a complementary therapy for this condition. The method used in this study was a systematic qualitative review of interventions obtained from MEDLINE, CINAHL, and ERIC databases. A total of 18 studies met the criteria. Some of the designs utilized by the interventions were pretest posttest, quasi-experimental and randomized controlled trials. It was found that majority of the interventions (17) were able to significantly reduce depressive symptoms in the patients under study. However, several methodological limitations were identified in the conduct of the intervention trials, which future interventions must consider.

A Review of the Effects of Guided Imagery on Cancer Patients with Pain

Over half of the patients diagnosed with cancer suffer from pain. Often, analgesic medications do not completely relieve the pain and alternative measures are sought out for relief. Mind—body techniques such as guided imagery (GI) have been thought to be helpful and used as an adjuvant to pain relief. This article evaluates and summarizes studies performed from 2001 to 2008, which investigated the use of GI for relief of cancer pain. Electronic databases were searched with the keywords cancer pain, visualization, and guided imagery, for any studies utilizing GI with an outcome measure of pain. Five studies included pain as either a primary or a secondary outcome measure. In three of those, pain intensity and pain-related distress decreased in the GI intervention versus control. There is inconsistency in the methodological qualities of these trials and further research is necessary to provide better evidence for the use of GI in cancer pain.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Effect on Emotional Distress in Older Adults

Objectives: Mindfulness training may help seniors successfully manage the physical and psychological challenges of aging in a manner that reduces distress and promotes vitality. The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on mood states in older adults. Methods: The authors identified 141 older adults (>60 years) who completed MBSR training. All participants completed the Profile of Mood States-Short Form (POMS-SF) at baseline and following 8 weeks of MBSR. Using paired t tests, the authors evaluated changes in mood following training in MBSR. In a subset analysis, the authors further examined the impact of MBSR training in individuals with the highest scores on depression and anxiety. Primary reasons cited for MBSR enrollment are also reported. Results: Overall emotional distress and all sub-scale mood measurements improved significantly following MBSR training. MBSR training resulted in >50% reduction in the number of older people reporting clinically significant depression and anxiety. Most enrolled in MBSR training to improve stress management skills. Discussion: MBSR training is a promising, group-based intervention for decreasing psychological distress in older adults. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm study findings.

Feasibility of an Intensive Trial of Modern Dance for Adults with Parkinson Disease

Although preliminary evidence supports the psychophysical benefits of dance for adults with Parkinson disease, guidelines for community-based dance programs await further scrutiny for safety and efficacy. This pilot study was designed to assess the feasibility of an intensive trial of group-delivered modern dance for 11 adults with early-to-middle stage Parkinson’s. The Timed ‘‘Up and Go’’ test and the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale were administered to assess balance safety and re-administered at closure along with a self-reported feedback questionnaire. Video recordings were analyzed for qualitative behavioral change. Pre/posttest comparisons from the Timed ‘‘Up and Go’’ test were not significant, while those from the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale were significant at the .05 level for the group as a whole (p = .01) with an average score change of +3.1 points. Although qualitative results generally concurred with the social benefits associated with an enjoyable form of expressive exercise, important indicators surfaced bearing on future research and community program designs. These include need for more rigorous stratification of participants and adapting dance class structure to address specific group needs to promote motor learning for sustained functional gains.

The Psychology of Qi Gong: A Qualitative Study

This article presents an in-depth, qualitative study, analyzing responses to focus-group interviews regarding individuals’ self-reported experiences and attitudes during Qi Gong practice. Semistructured interviews were conducted with three Qi Gong groups in order to collect research data. These data were transcribed verbatim and subjected to content and thematic analysis across and within groups. The analysis indicates extraordinary experiences of Qi Gong practitioners on various levels of bio-psycho-spiritual/energetic functioning. The results indicate how Qi Gong influences the complexity and multidimensionality of individuals’ health. In the discussion, the author compares and contrasts his results with other recently performed research.