Category: Uncategorized

We’re so excited to welcome our new students! As MUIH continues to grow, so too does the diversity of our student population.

Sometimes I sense we yearn for the day when all of life’s challenges magically melt away. However, what I have learned along my journey thus far in life is that while we’ll never be able to completely avoid life’s challenges, we can look at the situation from a new perspective, or in coaching terms, learn to “reframe” our experiences.

Worsley Five Element Clearing Protocols in the Treatment of PTSD

Research Design by Janice Campbell and Hunter Thompson, Acupuncture Professors

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the treatment effect of Worsley five element acupuncture clearing protocols on post-traumatic stress disorder.

METHODS: Individuals diagnosed with PTSD by a Western medical professional will be treated with the Worsley five element acupuncture clearing protocols of all three possession treatments and aggressive energy treatment. The treatments would be done in a private setting on a weekly basis over the course of 6 weeks. The first week would be an intake only and each subsequent week would be only one of the five clearing treatments. The assessment tool to be used for assessment of PTSD symptom would be given at the initial intake and again at the beginning of each treatment to assess the changes over the previous week. The control group would consist of individuals diagnosed with PTSD by a Western medical professional who would fill out the assessment tool on a weekly basis for the total of the 6 week of the trial. Individuals would be randomly assigned to each of the groups.

EXPECTED OUTCOME: The hypothesis is that the Worsley five element acupuncture clearing protocols would provide improvement in the symptoms of PTSD as evaluated on the assessment tool. These symptoms include: quality of sleep, anger outbursts, flashbacks, muscle tension, startle response and general outlook about life.

Assessment tool: Weiss, D.S. (2007). The Impact of Event Scale: Revised. In J.P. Wilson & C.S. Tang (Eds.), Cross-cultural assessment of psychological trauma and PTSD (pp. 219-238). New York: Springer.

Parts Making a Whole: Components of a Clinical Herbalism Education

Original Research by Bevin Clare, Herbal Medicine Professor

Abstract:

Clinical herbalism as practiced by contemporary medical herbalists is a diverse, adaptable, and changing field. Fundamentally, the training has altered little in centuries and stays true to its roots with components involving people, plants, and their interactions. From a content perspective, the clinical education of herbalists has adapted along with clinical medicine itself. Through the examination of the many components of training necessary for a contemporary clinical herbalist, this poster will answer the question “What are the components of clinical herbalist training?” while staying true to the roots of herbal medicine as practiced for centuries.

Nanomechanics and sodium permeability of endothelial surface layer modulated by hawthorn extract WS 1442

A Research Report by Camille Freeman, Integrated Sciences Professor

Abstract:

Preliminary evidence suggests that hawthorn extract may support cardiovascular health via its effects on the endothelial glycocalyx, a negatively-charged mesh lining our blood vessels. This poster will introduce viewers to the glycocalyx and present the findings of Peters et al (2012).

Reference:

Peters, W., Drueppel, V., Kusche-Vihrog, K., Schubert, C., & Oberleithner, H. (2012). Nanomechanics and sodium permeability of endothelial surface layer modulated by hawthorn extract WS 1442. PloS One, 7(1), e29972. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029972

Can Worsley Treatments Be Understood From a Chinese Medical Perspective?

Research Design by Celeste Homan, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Professor

Abstract:

Treatment protocols from the Worsley tradition, also known as Leamington acupuncture, adhere to fundamental principles of Chinese medicine when viewed from a channel perspective. Designed to rely on verifiable phenomena, these practices support a beginning acupuncturist by providing safe and effective clinical experiences that can be integrated with the practitioner’s developing medical model and clinical skills. Because the Worsley tradition emphasizes supporting the patient’s constitutional factor or CF, it lends itself to treatment of the spirit and to the practice of Chinese medicine as applied Chinese philosophy; a perspective with unlimited potential.

Using Herbarium Specimens as a Teaching Tool in Herbal Education

Research Design led by Andrew Pengelly, Herbal Medicine Professor, working with Laurie Dohmen, Herbal Medicine Student, and Kathleen Bennett, Herbal Medicine Alumni

Abstract:

A herbarium is a collection of preserved plants. It may be a large facility such as the Smithsonian or New York Botanical Gardens, which hold millions of species. A much smaller collection is held in the Sherman Cohn Library at MUIH. Herbarium voucher specimens are now required to validate the identity of species being used in clinical and experimental research involving medicinal plants. This poster will highlight the value of herbarium specimens as teaching tools with examples taken from courses conducted in the herbal medicine program at MUIH.

Acupoints Initiate The Healing Process

A Research Review by Heming Zhu, Integrated Sciences Professor

Abstract:

As one of the six major modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture has been widely accepted by the western world in the past four decades because of its efficacy and safety. A vast amount of acupuncture research has been done. But the mechanisms of acupuncture actions are still elusive. It is believed that the effects of acupuncture treatment begin from the moment of needle insertion. Thus this review focuses on the acupuncture points and the three major reactions at the acupuncture points when needling. These initial reactions may be the beginning of the healing process and would help us understand downstream effects induced by needling. In addition to physical reactions, this text also discusses the importance of the effects of acupuncture on the mind and emotions in the healing process.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in the Improvement of Emesis, Nausea and Food Aversion among Cancer Treatment Patients

Research Design by Jason Bosley-Smith, Nutrition & Integrative Health Program Student

Abstract

Patients undergoing conventional cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation) often encounter a number of negative side effects. Cytotoxic drug-induced nausea and vomiting are the side effects most feared by cancer patients. Additionally, dysgeusia (a change in the sense of taste) may occur during or after cancer treatment resulting in the development of strong food aversions and limited food tolerance/intake. In clinical trials, mindfulness based stress reduction has been shown to provide positive benefits to cancer patients in the areas of immune function, mood alteration, and quality of life. This proposed study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques on food tolerance and reduction of nausea and emesis in patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Pilot study comparing patient-related outcomes in patients with mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) receiving either acupuncture plus moxibustion, an herbal/nutritional protocol or a combination of both treatments

Research Design by Kim Cherry, Herbal Therapeutics Student

Abstract

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Kim Cherry, LAc, ADVISOR Bevin Clare, R.H., CNS, Assoc. Professor Maryland University of Integrated Health

OBJECTIVE: To compare the beneficial effects of acupuncture plus moxibustion versus a herbal/nutritional protocol versus a combination of both treatments measured by patient-related outcomes including quality of life scoring.

DESIGN: In this prospective controlled pilot study, 60 patients will be randomized into 3 parallel groups of 20 to 1.) receive acupuncture plus moxibustion twice weekly or 2.) herbal/nutritional protocol or 3.) a combination of both treatments for 8 weeks following a 3-week baseline period prior to randomization.

SETTING: An outpatient acupuncture clinic

SUBJECTS: 60 adults with mild to moderate IBD

OUTCOME MEASURES: Change from baseline in Short Inflammatory Disease Questionnaire (SIDQ) and in the IBD Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBDQ-36). Comparison of ESR and CRP values at study end versus those at baseline to assess inflammatory status.

Weight Loss and Maintenance: Will Mindfulness-based Techniques Make a Difference in Overweight and Obsese Individuals?

A Research Review by Robin Goble, Valerie Maguire (nee Thwing), & Sherry Leikin, Students in the Health and Wellness Coaching Program

Abstract

Using a systematic method, we researched articles in the areas of mindfulness, weight loss, and weight maintenance in overweight and obese individuals to determine the answer to the following questions: Do mindfulness-based techniques produce a more significant amount of weight loss in overweight and obese individuals than studies that do not include mindfulness-based practices? Do mindfulness-based techniques help overweight and obese individuals maintain their weight loss longer than those that do not practice mindfulness-based techniques? Our research shows mindfulness-based techniques alone do not significantly increase weight loss or weight loss maintenance over participant groups who did not incorporate mindfulness-based techniques, unless they also include self-acceptance training/practices.

Effectiveness of Worsleyan 5 Element Acupuncture in a 12-week Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Research Design by Katharine Gold, ACU/MOM Student

Abstract

The purpose of this proposed study is to gauge the effectiveness of 5 Element Acupuncture in improving the quality of life, level of physical heath and Subjective Well Being of individuals attending the 12-week Cardiac Rehab Program at Shady Grove Hospital.

We interviewed Jason Bosley-Smith, winner of the President’s Award at this year’s Research Day for his research poster on using mindfulness-based stress reduction to alleviate emesis, nausea, and food aversion among cancer treatment patients.

James Snow, interim academic director for integrative health sciences, was one of 10 researchers who developed the “WellSense Profile” – a 45-item questionnaire that measured participants’ wellness response to food across five dimensions – emotional, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual.

We are hard-wired to transform and heal traumatic experiences in the same way that it is in our nature to be overwhelmed and flooded by them.

“Elemental Applique” features art quilts by Anne Smyers of Reston, Virginia, and opens Friday, June 20 in the Himmelfarb Gallery at Maryland University of Integrative Health. An artist reception, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for Thursday, June 26 from 5 – 7:30 p.m.

“Layers: Water/Paint/Experience,” features Angela White, a Rockville, Maryland artist, and opens Friday, March 28 in the Himmelfarb Gallery at Maryland University of Integrative Health. An artist reception, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

We’ve got a few more weeks left of winter – wouldn’t it be great to stay strong and healthy during this time? We asked several faculty members from our yoga, nutrition, herbal medicine, health and wellness coaching, and acupuncture and Oriental medicine programs to answer this question: What are some of the top tips you’d give a client to help them maintain a strong immune system during this time of year?