RECENT RESEARCH
Homeopathy
Gosik MS , Mendes MFX , dos Santos LM , Barbas D , Cabo D , Strastis H , Takeuti I , Delavechia ML , Cunha M , Kalile R , Lino R , Brunelli W , Oliveira A , Carillor R . 1
Medicines for the new coronavirus in the view of Classical Systemic Homeopathy . Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice , 2021 ; 45 .
Introduction : According to the World Health Organization , the coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) has 48.896.564 reported cases and 1.236.995 deaths worldwide on November 5 , 2020 . Despite great efforts , there is no treatment of COVID-19 up to nowadays . Therefore , it is essential to search for therapeutic alternatives to COVID-19 , such as Integrative Medicine , especially Homeopathy , which was used with excellent results in the great epidemics .
Aim : This study aims to describe the coronavirus Pandemic from the perspective of Classical Systemic Homeopathy and to identify the homeopathic medicine ( medicines genius ) that has its sphere of action in most of the symptoms involved in this pandemic .
Methods : Articles published in indexed journals and websites of medical institutions , books of homeopathic materia medica , scientific journals , and government publications were reviewed .
Results : A total of 39 references were selected and enclosed 20 articles indexed on COVID-19 , 08 references of systemic conditions , 11 articles indexed of homeopathy , 06 classic homeopathy books . After the study , the homeopathic medicine Cinchona officinalis ( China officinalis ) was proposed , according to pathogenesis ( experimental pathophysiological study in humans ) described in the materia medica books consulted , for the relief of symptoms . Its sphere of action in most of the symptoms involved in this pandemic . Moreover , acute homeopathic medicines were determined to act in the relief of symptoms of the various phases of the manifestations of the disease . Conclusion : Data contributes to use in homeopathic interventions during the COVID-19 epidemic as a health promotion and treatment strategy that can be used as an adjunct to all sanitary and therapeutic measures recommended by health authorities .
Massage , myotherapy and other bodywork
Sahraei F , Rahemi Z , Sadat Z , Zamani B , Ajorpaz NM , Afshar M , Mianehsa F .
The effect of Swedish massage on pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients : A randomized controlled trial . Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice , 2022 ; 46 .
Background and purpose : Joint pain is one of the most common symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients and require medical attention . The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Swedish massage on pain and painkiller consumption in rheumatoid arthritis patients .
Materials and methods : A total of 60 patients participated in the experiment , with half assigned to the control group ( n = 30 ) and half to the experimental ( n = 30 ) group using the block randomization method . On patients in the experimental group , a 30-min Swedish massage was performed regularly for eight weeks : twice a week for the first four weeks , and three times a week for the last four weeks . The control group received routine care . The visual analogue scale-pain was used to measure pain in the two groups at three points of time : before the beginning of the experiment , immediately after the last session , and one month after the last session of the intervention .
Results : The analysis of covariance showed that there were significant differences between the two groups ’ mean scores of pain and painkiller consumption immediately after and one month after the last session of the intervention ( p = 0.01 ). Furthermore , in the experimental group , the mean scores of pain and painkiller consumption decreased over the three points of time ( p < 0.05 ).
Conclusion : Swedish massage can be effective in reducing pain and the need to use painkillers in rheumatoid arthritis patients .
Wu Q , Zhao J , Guo W .
Efficacy of massage therapy in improving outcomes in knee osteoarthritis : A systematic review and meta-analysis . Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice , 2022 ; 46 .
Background and purpose : Massage therapy is being used for knee osteoarthritis . However , level-1 evidence is lacking . This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence on the effect of massage therapy on knee osteoarthritis .
Methods : PubMed , Embase , Ovid , Springer , and Google Scholar databases were searched up to May 8 , 2021 for randomized controlled trials comparing massage with controls for knee osteoarthritis . Review manager was used for a random-effect meta-analysis . Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration risk assessment tool and certainty of evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment , Development , and Evaluation ( GRADE ).
Results : Twelve studies with 737 participants were included . After 1 – 4 weeks of therapy , there was a significant reduction in pain and stiffness scores in the massage group and after 6 – 8 weeks of therapy , there was a significant reduction in stiffness and functionality scores . There was no significant difference in outcomes with long-term therapy . A statistically significant reduction in stiffness scores was seen with aromatherapy massage . Aromatherapy massage was not superior to standard massage . The overall quality of evidence according to GRADE was low to moderate for standard massage therapy and very low for aromatherapy .
46 | vol28 | no1 | JATMS