Perspectives on Integrative Medicine

Original Articles

Effects of Needling Acupoint SI3 on Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Participants: Xiaoqin Wu, Chi Eung Danforn Lim, Shuai Zheng, Christopher Zaslawski; Perspect Integr Med. 2025;4(1):39-50. Published online February 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2025.02.005

484 View
10 Download

Abstract PDF: Background
There has been a surge in prescribing opioids for pain-related conditions and it has resulted in a prescription "opioid epidemic." It is critical for researchers and clinicians to explore nonpharmacological approaches to manage pain and mitigate the reliance on opioid analgesics. Acupuncture could be an effective therapy to modulate pain. This study examined the effects on regional pressure pain threshold (PPT) following needling of the Small Intestine 3 (SI3 -Houxi) acupoint in healthy participants.
Methods
In a randomized, three-arm cross-over design study, 32 healthy participants enrolled between November 2018 and March 2019, received 3 different acupuncture interventions, in different sequences, to the right hand at SI3: (1) SI3 without manual manipulation (SI3m-); (2) SI3 with manual needle manipulation (SI3m+); and (3) sham laser, to assess changes in PPT following the interventions. The mean change in PPT was measured at 10 different regional acupoint sites using an algometer. All PPT scores were reported as a percentage change from the mean preintervention value, the mean of the 3 PPT measurements obtained prior to receiving the intervention.
Results
The SI3m+ and SI3m- interventions for the 31 participants (drop out n=1), showed that the postintervention mean % PPT scores were significantly elevated compared to the control (sham laser; p < 0.001). The SI3m+ intervention significantly increased % PPT compared with the SI3m- intervention (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The needling intervention was an important contributor raising regional PPT in healthy participants.

Assessing the Impact of Art Therapy on Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease: a Mixed-Methods Practice-Based Approach: Wangjung Hur, Jungtae Leem, Hanbit Jin, Miso S. Park, Sangsoo Park, Horyong Yoo; Perspect Integr Med. 2025;4(1):28-38. Published online February 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2025.02.004

486 View
31 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common degenerative brain condition worldwide. Art therapy has gained attention as a nonpharmacological, complementary, and integrative therapy, yet few studies have explored its effect on people with PD.
Methods
From May to August 2021, 9 participants diagnosed with idiopathic PD completed an art therapy program, consisting of 8 weekly sessions (60 minutes each). A mixed-method research approach combining quantitative and qualitative analyses was used to evaluate participant outcome and experience. Quantitative analysis was assessed using tests for quality of life, motor symptoms, and nonmotor symptoms. Qualitative analysis was conducted through participant responses and researcher observations.
Results
After 8 sessions of drawing-based art therapy, the total non-motor symptoms scale score, which provides a comprehensive assessment including the domains of cognition and behavior along with nonmotor symptoms in participants, significantly improved from 79.3 ± 30.9 at baseline to 59.8 ± 26.1 points after 8 weeks (p = 0.01). The unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale-I score also demonstrated significant improvement (p = 0.03). There were no reported adverse events and no participant dropout. Qualitative analysis revealed enhanced self-esteem, self-acceptance, and positive emotional expression amongst participants.
Conclusion
The art therapy conducted on the people with PD in this study improved their nonmotor symptoms and activity of daily living. Furthermore, qualitative analysis revealed the positive effect of art therapy which included improved self-esteem and self-acceptance. In the future, art therapy could be actively considered as a nonpharmacological, complementary, and integrative therapy for treating PD.

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search