Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Alternative health and medicine'

The present healthcare system in South Africa suffers from a number of serious deficiencies. Whilst orthodox bio-medicine is well established in most first world countries, its total introduction and implementation into all communities within South Africa faces many obstacles. The cost of diagnostic techniques, investigative procedures and pharmaceutical products, the availability of competent medical staff in the non-urban areas, and the lack of acceptance of the philosophy and practice of orthodox bio-medicine in rural regions are but some of the factors which conspire against the general application of this orthodox medical paradigm.

Another problem confronting healthcare and medical practice in South Africa, particularly at this stage of our historical development, is the absolute focus on orthodox bio-medicine, often to the detriment of other medical paradigms that also have advantages to offer. Can the integration of another medical paradigm, such as Unani-Tibb, enhance the practice of orthodox bio-medicine in this country?

The aim of the thesis was to investigate the possibility of integrating Unani-Tibb with orthodox biomedicine (also termed conventional, Western or allopathic medicine) and assess its potential for improving delivery of an effective, affordable and appropriate healthcare system in South Africa.

The research questions which the thesis seeks to answer is whether this integration is possible and whether the delivery of healthcare to the South African population can be enhanced. Changes in the provision of medical education are necessary, and occupy a pivotal role in allowing for this integration. Unani-Tibb is a traditional medical system practiced extensively on the Indian sub-continent and in other parts of the world. At present, however, it is minimally practiced in South Africa. Its primary principle is the energetic promotion of health maintenance behaviour and the prevention of disease, through effective application of dietotherapy, pharmacotherapy and other interventions, as well as the empowerment of the patient towards adopting behavioural changes and lifestyle adaptations. One positive aspect of Unani-Tibb is that it has many features in common with both orthodox biomedicine and African Traditional medicine. These commonalities should allow for greater acceptance by orthodox healthcare professionals, as well as the general population. The first part of the study involved the research and conceptualisation required for the production of a series of customized training modules which introduced the theory and practice of Unani-Tibb. A twelve month part-time training programme based on these modules was subsequently conducted with a number of healthcare professionals presently in active practice and with a background of orthodox medical or nursing healthcare. This outcomes-based training programme included a number of specifically designed training activities, such as case studies, practical exercises and assignments. Appropriate evaluations and assessments were pursued in order to measure performance outcomes and attitudes. Questionnaires for assessing the motivation and satisfaction of the participants were also completed. The second part of the study was in the form of a pilot participant research project, in which the participants applied the information from the integrative programme to a number of chronically ill patients who had previously been treated with standard orthodox bio-medical procedures. The parameters derived for clinical efficacy, cost-benefit and improvement in Quality of Life from Unani-Tibb treatment were then compared to equivalent results obtained by orthodox bio-medicine. In all parameters inspected, the integrative training programme compared favourably to orthodox bio-medical practice. Not only was there an improved clinical efficacy, but the cost-benefit was shown to be superior in most indices measured. The Quality of Life comparison, which assessed the patient&rsquo
s total health status, subjective behaviour and attitude, generally favoured the integrative training programme. The thesis serves to suggest that the integration of Unani-Tibb into orthodox bio-medical training in South Africa is a distinct possibility, and could ultimately allow for treatment which is clinically acceptable, cost-effective and which provides an improved Quality of Life for the population as a whole. I suggest that this pilot study be repeated more extensively, thereby allowing for a more confident and objective assessment.

The Feldenkrais Method generates a range of healthful or salutogenic outcomes, yet its contribution to the field of mind-body medicine (MBM) remains largely unexamined. The Feldenkrais Method is a form of somatic education offering both practices and theoretical perspectives for an integrated mind-body approach. Research shows that the Feldenkrais Method produces outcomes on a range of functional, psychophysical, and psychosocial measures. This thesis argues that the Feldenkrais Method is an awareness practice of value for mind-body and integrative approaches to health.

Possible mechanisms and dynamics of action of the Feldenkrais Method are presented. This thesis proposes that non- or preconscious intentionality and "know-how" can be an important aspect of healthy behavior. Somatics practices and somatic awareness can play an important role in creating an intentional arc toward health. This study supports the importance of research into the Feldenkrais Method in relation to MBM and health.

Stress is a ubiquitous phenomenon in modern society, as a risk factor for several chronic diseases. This study investigated the feasibility of utilizing a four-week online e-health yoga video series to provide adults with a potential mechanism for stress management. While 128 subjects provided informed consent, 92 provided baseline data, 63 joined the study by following instructions to receive the videos, 27 provided end of week # 1 data; and, 14 of 27 provided a discernable personal code for matching files (51.85% adherence rate to personal code instructions). Thus, the final sample was N=14 (of 63 with video access) for a 22.22% study completion rate/63.5% attrition rate. Study completers (N=14) were 85.7% )n=12) White female (n=12) with mean age of 43.86 years (min=21, max=61, SD=10.52), mean education (M=5.07, min=2, max=6, SD=1.072) closest to a Master’s Degree, and mean household income (M=5.31,min=1, max=7, SD=1.494) closest to $50,000-$99,000.

Post-video, the mean dose of exposure to the yoga videos was closest to watching all of the videos, as a measure of very good adherence; barriers to adherence included not enough time due to other responsibilities. The yoga video series was rated between good and very good, while 64.3% (n=9) reported intention to continue to practice this form of yoga, and recommend the series to others. As the main study variable of interest, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) pre-video Cronbach’s Alpha was .916, suggesting excellent internal consistency. Using paired t-tests, the pre-video PSS-10 mean (Mean= 15.0, min 3 max 31, SD= 8.421) was higher than the post-video mean PSS-10 (Mean= 9.21, min 2 max 16, SD= 4.457), achieving significance (t= 3.377, df=13, p =.0055) at the Bonferroni Significance level (p=.005)—suggesting the intervention was an effective brief intervention for reducing past month stress. Qualitative data showed positive emergent themes supporting feasibility and acceptability of planning to continue the practice due to personal benefits, easily accessible, relaxing, and effective; and, negative themes of yoga sequencing/format issues, general preference for in-person instruction, and general dislike. Overall, the pilot study’s findings support the feasibility of providing online four-week yoga e-health intervention. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

Alternative saline therapies are one way to provide supplemental treatment to patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF); surfing represents one form of therapy that may increase health-related quality of life (HRQoL). To date, however, many assumptions about surfing’s effectiveness are based only on trials with hypertonic saline solution (extra salty sterile water), thus warranting the need to test effectiveness with a group of CF patients who use surfing as part of their treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of Surf Experience Days (SEDs) on the HRQoL of participating youth; the secondary goal was to assess the presence of a dose-response relationship. Findings suggest indicators of HRQoL amongst youth with CF improved due to participation in the Mauli Ola Foundation (MOF) SED’s. Greater frequency of participation in MOF SED’s was not associated with greater improvements in HRQoL. Future studies with larger samples and additional measures are recommended

Clinicians working in community mental health clinics are at high risk for burnout. Burnout is a problem involving emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Reiki is a holistic biofield energy therapy beneficial for reducing stress. The purpose of this study was to determine if 30-minutes of healing touch could reduce burnout in community mental health clinicians. This quantitative study utilized a cross-over design to explore the efficacy of Reiki versus sham-Reiki, a pseudo treatment designed to mimic true Reiki, as a means to reduce symptoms of burnout in community mental health clinicians. The Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey and several other measures were administered before and after the intervention phases throughout the study. The results suggest that hands-on interventions are beneficial in reducing stress for community mental health clinicians and that Reiki has a positive effect greater than relaxing touch alone. The findings show that Reiki reduces burnout in community mental health clinicians.

Massage therapy is often used to treat musculoskeletal symptoms and to promote wellness. While evidence regarding its effectiveness is increasing, research related to actual practice and studies seeking to understand the mechanisms of massage therapy are needed. The purpose of this research was to describe the characteristics of massage therapists and their clients and to understand the role of communication in massage therapy outcomes. The first study examined the outcome expectations, expectancies, and behaviors of a random sample of massage therapists in Iowa (n=151) using a cross-sectional survey. The second study used a practice-based research design incorporating two samples of massage therapy clients (n=320 and n=321) to develop and validate a measure of client expectations of massage, the Client Expectations of Massage Scale (CEMS). The third study examined the influence of client expectations and massage therapists' interpersonal attractiveness on pain and satisfaction following massage. Social Cognitive Theory and Expectancy Violation Theory were used as frameworks to demonstrate how health behavior and communication theories can provide insight to massage therapy research. Results indicated that massage therapists had high expectations regarding the benefits of massage therapy and engaged in a variety of behaviors that reflect the clinical, educational, and interpersonal nature of massage therapy. In addition to using a variety of manual therapies, the massage therapists educated their clients in areas such as diet, stress management, and exercise to improve client health. Similarly, clients had positive expectations as measured by the outcome, clinical, educational, and interpersonal subscales of the CEMS. Positive outcome expectations predicted significant improvements in pain and serenity. High interpersonal expectations were related to negative changes in serenity. The third study revealed that high satisfaction was influenced by positive interpersonal attractiveness but more research is needed to understand the influence of client expectations being met on satisfaction. Initially high educational expectations, exceeded educational expectations, violated interpersonal expectations, and positive interpersonal attractiveness were related to less pain following massage. In conclusion, this research demonstrated that client expectations and massage therapist interpersonal attractiveness are important constructs to consider when evaluating the effects of massage therapy.

Historically the relationship between Allopathic and Osteopathic physicians with Chiropractors has been strained at best. Since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act specifically list’s Chiropractors as part of Accountable Care Organizations this strained relationship will not be in the best interests of patient care. Chiropractors are a small part of the health care puzzle so they will need to integrate into the larger health care arena and work alongside their Allopathic and Osteopathic counterparts. To accomplish this, the attitudes and beliefs of these Allopathic and Osteopathic Physicians were ascertained so that Chiropractors can possess the information required to transition into Accountable Care Organizations as seamlessly as possible. This study, with limitations including small sample size, determined the attitudes and beliefs of Allopathic and Osteopathic physicians towards Chiropractors and then determined the steps that they would suggest to help with Allopathic and Osteopathic collaboration with Chiropractors for future patient care.

The Survey used to ascertain the attitudes and beliefs of Allopathic and Osteopathic physicians was obtained with permission from Busse et.al. (2009). Three different research questions were analyzed using several different items from the Survey. Overall the Allopath’s and Osteopath’s had a negative view of Chiropractors including the attitude that Chiropractors should not be involved in Medical Homes or Accountable Care Organizations as stated in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Additionally there was no statistically significant relationship between Allopathic and Osteopathic attitudes or beliefs and their willingness to collaborate clinically with Chiropractors based on age, gender, Allopathic or Osteopathic education, years in practice, and specialty. In the written response aspect of the survey barriers to collaboration included Chiropractors anti-vaccine stance, non-evidence based treatment, and over treatment of patients. Key Words: Chiropractor, Allopath, Osteopath, Collaboration, Patient Care.

The high rates of obesity in the United States are alarming and the mind body link with hunger is a rich area for study. The purpose of this study was to identify overarching patterns in individuals’ relationships with hunger. The study findings touch on the fields of obesity, mind body medicine, and personal development.

The research methodology used for this study was classic grounded theory, which is a theory generating approach consisting of data collection and analysis. The process begins in an open-ended fashion and then becomes more refined as the theoretical patterns emerge from the process, at which point current literature is integrated.

The theory of hungering emerged from the analyzed data of eleven interviews, including adults who struggled with hunger, who had achieved mastery of physical hunger, and who were professionals in the fields of hunger and psychology. Two types of hunger–physical hunger and soul hunger–each require separate processes for simple nourishment and each include additional nuances beyond simple nourishment. The achievement of physical hunger mastery can include interoceptive awareness, hunger anticipation, hunger preparation, an eating schedule, and balanced nutrition. Nourishment can be interrupted at both the physical and the soul level, leading to hunger confusion and hunger suffering in some people. Interrupted nourishment can include lack of awareness, cognitive interference, emotional interference, family influence, and environmental influence. This tangled web can exacerbate food use, including binge eating and emotional eating, which can be related to food attachment, food language, dieting, and body image struggles. It may be possible for some people to escape this maze of confusion and interruptions through the process of self-awareness and personal development, which can include self-care, self-trust, effort to change, thought regulation, emotion regulation, social support, and structured nourishment.

While steps were taken to limit research bias, the lens through which the data was analyzed may have been impacted by personal interest, academic study, and professional experience. However, this substantive theory offers a unique perspective that may serve as a lens for future studies in the fields of obesity, weight loss, mind body medicine, and personal development.

With a fast paced hectic environment, extensive work loads and decisions to make that affect countless lives, health administrators often experience high levels of stress. High stress levels can lead to burn out, negative work environment, poor inter-office relationships, reduced productivity and probable mental and emotional unease which can result in dismissal or quitting.

As employers are becoming increasingly aware that their businesses depend on the quality, efficiency and happiness of their employees, considerable efforts have been put into aiding them in reducing their stress and improving their well-being. Health-Hardiness Training Institute aims to utilize an all-encompassing approach that combines cognitive, behavioral and biophysical processes and change management training. With the tools taught by the Health-Hardiness Training Institute, healthcare managers will be better equipped to turn stressful circumstances into opportunities to thrive in.