RECENT RESEARCH
Introduction : The control of cyanobacterial toxicity and growth by homeopathic potencies was described in Part 1 of this two-part report . Here , a parallel approach characterized the physico-chemical features of the potencies used and the liquid media treated with them , correlating these results with their respective biological effects .
Objectives : Our objective was to establish if physico-chemical parameters can track homeopathic potencies in seawater or artificial seawater medium ( ASM ) -1 and to discover whether these parameters correlate with previously described biological effects .
Method : Artemia franciscana ( brine shrimp ) cysts were cultivated in seawater challenged with Raphidiopsis raciborskii extract and treated with different homeopathic potencies chosen from a screening process . Cultures of R . raciborskii maintained in ASM-1 were also treated with previously screened homeopathic potencies , and their growth was monitored as a function of time . The physico-chemical properties of the treated media ( seawater or ASM-1 ) were evaluated by their interaction with solvatochromic dyes and changes in pH , conductivity and temperature .
Results : Coumarin 7 was found to be a marker for Nitric acidum 6cH and Isotherapic ( R . raciborskii extract ) 200cH in seawater ( analysis of variance [ ANOVA ], p = 0.0015 ). Nile red was found to be a marker for Nitric acidum 200cH and Mercurius solubilis 30cH in ASM-1 ( ANOVA , p ≤ 0.001 ). An increase in pH of ASM-1 and endothermic effects were observed after these treatments ( two-way ANOVA , p = 0.0001 ). Seawater and ASM-1 to which potencies had been added were also subjected to a constant unidirectional 2,400 Gauss static magnetic field and found to have enhanced effects on the solvatochromic dyes tested .
Conclusion : Homeopathic potencies were specifically traceable in aqueous media using solvatochromic dyes , especially when the samples were subjected to a magnetic field . Results from monitoring other physical parameters , such as pH and temperature , were less specific in relation to potency tracking . However , potencyinduced endothermic effects might provide valuable thermodynamic data relating to the nature of potencies .
Massage , myotherapy and other bodywork
Zabel S , Munk N . Use of Practice-Based Research Networks in Massage Therapy Research . Int J Ther Massage Bodywork . 2024 Mar 14 ; 17 ( 1 ): 43-49 . doi : 10.3822 / ijtmb . v17i1.883
Massage therapy is a profession , not simply an intervention , and pathways are needed to connect all key massage therapy profession components-clinicians , patient / clients , and the work-to the scholarship and research that describes , investigates , and shapes practice . While the volume of massage-related research has grown over the past few decades , much of the growing massage evidence base is not reflective of real-world massage therapy , nor is research typically conducted through the clinical lens of the massage therapy discipline . This situation reflects the unfortunate disconnect between massage therapy research and massage therapy practice , while magnifying a key research infrastructure deficiency within the massage therapy discipline : the who and where research is conducted is disconnected from the who and where massage therapy is practiced . Practicebased research networks ( PBRNs ) are a staple of primary care and other health professions research reflecting real life , discipline-focused practice that seeks to address the needs of the discipline ' s practitioners and patients . The PBRN model fits well with the directional need of massage therapy research . This paper presents a commentary on the use of PBRNs in massage therapy research , and the current state of PBRN research within the field of massage therapy , namely the recently launched MassageNet PBRN .
Leabeater AJ , Clarke AC , James L , Huynh N , Driller M . Under the gun : Percussive massage therapy and physical and perceptual recovery in active adults . J Athl Train . 2024 ; 59 ( 3 ): 310-316 . doi : 10.4085 / 1062-6050-0041.23
Context : Handheld percussive massage devices ( ie , massage guns ) are a relatively new and under-researched recovery tool . These tools are intended to increase range of motion and reduce muscle soreness by delivering targeted vibration to soft tissues . Empirical knowledge about the potential influence of these devices on perceptual recovery and the recovery of performance characteristics after exercise is scarce .
Objective : To investigate the effect of a 5-minute massage gun application , using a commercially available device , on physical and perceptual recovery after a strenuous bout of lower body exercise .
Design : Controlled laboratory study .
Setting : Physiology laboratory .
Patients or other participants : A total of 65 active young adults ( age = 21.3 ± 1.4 years ; age range = 18-30 years ; 34 women : height = 165.8 ± 6.1 cm , mass = 66.0 ± 7.4 kg ; 31 men : height = 181.1 ± 6.0 cm , mass = 81.5 ± 11.8 kg ).
Intervention ( s ): Participants applied a massage gun on the calf muscles of 1 leg after strenuous exercise ( massage gun recovery group ) for 5 minutes and used no recovery intervention on the other leg ( control group ).
Main outcome measure ( s ): Ankle range of motion , calf circumference , isometric strength , calf endurance , and perceived muscle soreness measures were collected at baseline and at various points after lower body exercise .
Results : No significant group × time interactions were recorded for any of the performance or perceptual measures ( P values > . 05 ). Effect sizes were mostly unclear , except for a small increase in perceived muscle soreness in the massage gun recovery group compared with the control group immediately ( d = -0.35 ) and 4 hours ( d = -0.48 ) postrecovery .
Conclusions : Massage guns appeared to have little effect on physical measures when applied for 5 minutes immediately after strenuous calf exercise . Given the small increase in muscle soreness up to 4 hours
112 | vol30 | no2 | JATMS