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Valerie H Myers,
Megan A McVay,
Catherine M Champagne,
Jack F Hollis,
Janelle W Coughlin,
Kristine L Funk, Christina M Gullion,
Gerald J Jerome,
Catherine M Loria,
Carmen D Samuel-Hodge,
Victor J Stevens,
Laura P Svetkey,
Phillip J Brantley
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ABSTRACT: Past studies have suggested that weight loss history is associated with subsequent weight loss. However, questions remain whether method and amount of weight lost in previous attempts impacts current weight loss efforts. This study utilized data from the Weight Loss Maintenance Trial to examine the association between weight loss history and weight loss outcomes in a diverse sample of high-risk individuals. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine which specific aspects of weight loss history predict change in weight during a 6-month weight loss intervention. Greater weight loss was predicted by fewer previous weight loss attempts with assistance (p = 0.03), absence of previous dietary/herbal weight loss supplement use (p = 0.01), and greater maximum weight loss in previous attempts (p < 0.001). Future interventions may benefit from assessment of weight loss history and tailoring of interventions based on past weight loss behaviors and outcomes.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine 08/2012; · 3.10 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are chronic, often refractory, pain conditions affecting the jaw and face. Patients least likely to respond to allopathic treatment have the most marked biologic responsiveness to external stressors and concomitant psychosocial and emotional difficulties. From a shamanic healing perspective, this describes individuals who are thought to be "dispirited" and may benefit from this ancient form of spiritual healing.
To report on the long-term quantitative and qualitative outcomes relative to end-of-treatment status of a phase I study that evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of shamanic healing for people with TMDs.
Participants were contacted by telephone at one, three, six, and nine months after treatment and asked to report pain and disability outcomes and qualitative feedback.
Portland, OR.
Twenty-three women aged 25 to 55 years diagnosed with TMD.
Participants rated their TMD-related pain and disability (on the TMD Research Diagnostic Criteria Axis II Pain Related Disability and Psychological Status Scale) at each follow-up call and were asked to describe their condition qualitatively.
Improvements in usual pain, worst pain, and functional impairment reported at end of treatment did not change during the 9 months after treatment ended (p > 0.18).
Shamanic healing had lasting effects on TMDs in this small cohort of women.
The Permanente journal 01/2012; 16(2):28-35.
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David W Banting,
Bennett T Amaechi,
James D Bader,
Peter Blanchard,
Gregg H Gilbert, Christina M Gullion,
Jan Carlton Holland,
Sonia K Makhija,
Athena Papas,
André V Ritter,
Mabi L Singh,
William M Vollmer
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ABSTRACT: This report describes the training of dental examiners participating in two dental caries clinical trials and reports the inter- and intra-examiner reliability scores from the initial standardization sessions.
Study examiners were trained to use a modified International Caries Detection and Assessment System II system to detect the visual signs of non-cavitated and cavitated dental caries in adult subjects. Dental caries was classified as no caries (S), non-cavitated caries (D1), enamel caries (D2), and dentine caries (D3). Three standardization sessions involving 60 subjects and 3,604 tooth surface calls were used to calculate several measures of examiner reliability.
The prevalence of dental caries observed in the standardization sessions ranged from 1.4 percent to 13.5 percent of the coronal tooth surfaces examined. Overall agreement between pairs of examiners ranged from 0.88 to 0.99. An intra-class coefficient threshold of 0.60 was surpassed for all but one examiner. Inter-examiner unweighted kappa values were low (0.23-0.35), but weighted kappas and the ratio of observed to maximum kappas were more encouraging (0.42-0.83). The highest kappa values occurred for the S/D1 versus D2/D3 two-level classification of dental caries, for which seven of the eight examiners achieved observed to maximum kappa values over 0.90. Intra-examiner reliability was notably higher than inter-examiner reliability for all measures and dental caries classifications employed.
The methods and results for the initial examiner training and standardization sessions for two large clinical trials are reported. Recommendations for others planning examiner training and standardization sessions are offered.
Journal of Public Health Dentistry 01/2011; 71(4):335-44. · 1.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Dental caries is one of the primary causes of tooth loss among adults. It is estimated to affect a majority of Americans aged 55 and older, with a disproportionately higher burden in disadvantaged populations. Although a number of treatments are currently in use for caries prevention in adults, evidence for their efficacy and effectiveness is limited.
The Prevention of Adult Caries Study (PACS) is a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of a chlorhexidine (10% w/v) dental coating in preventing adult caries. Participants (n = 983) were recruited from four different dental delivery systems serving four diverse communities, including one American Indian population, and were randomized to receive either chlorhexidine or a placebo treatment. The primary outcome is the net caries increment (including non-cavitated lesions) from baseline to 13 months of follow-up. A cost-effectiveness analysis also will be considered.
This new dental treatment, if efficacious and approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), would become a new in-office, anti-microbial agent for the prevention of adult caries in the United States.
NCT00357877.
BMC Oral Health 10/2010; 10:23.
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ABSTRACT: Dental caries incidence in adults is similar to that in children and adolescents, but few caries preventive agents have been evaluated for effectiveness in adults populations. In addition, dentists direct fewer preventive services to their adult patients. Xylitol, an over-the-counter sweetener, has shown some potential as a caries preventive agent, but the evidence for its effectiveness is not yet conclusive and is based largely on studies in child populations.
X-ACT is a three-year, multi-center, placebo controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial that tests the effects of daily use of xylitol lozenges versus placebo lozenges on the prevention of adult caries. The trial has randomized 691 participants (ages 21-80) to the two arms. The primary outcome is the increment of cavitated lesions.
This trial should help resolve the overall issue of the effectiveness of xylitol in preventing caries by contributing evidence with a low risk of bias. Just as importantly, the trial will provide much-needed information about the effectiveness of a promising caries prevention agent in adults. An effective xylitol-based caries prevention intervention would represent an easily disseminated method to extend caries prevention to individuals not receiving caries preventive treatment in the dental office.
ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT00393055.
BMC Oral Health 09/2010; 10:22.
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ABSTRACT: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is associated with increased survival among HIV-infected persons. Yet, no research to date has examined whether introduction of once-daily fixed-dosed combinations (FDC) affects the likelihood of cART initiation. We aimed to determine whether implementation of once-daily FDC regimens was associated with changes to cART initiation. We also identified clinical, treatment regimen, and provider characteristics possibly associated with cART initiation.
Retrospective observational analysis.
We queried electronic medical records between July 1999-June 2006 to identify incident cases of detectable HIV infection in antiretroviral-naïve adults. Cox regression with time-dependent covariates was used to examine the effects of once-daily FDC era, clinical, provider, and treatment regimen characteristics on cART initiation.
Once-daily FDC availability did not change the likelihood of cART initiation, but other characteristics were associated with an increased likelihood: AIDS diagnosis, above-median daily pill consumption, and 16+ yrs of physician HIV experience. Decreased likelihood of cART initiation was associated with CD4 201-350 cells/μL, HIV RNA < 100,000 copies/mL, and with CD4 > 350 cells/μL (any HIV RNA level), compared to CD4 ≤ 200 cells/μL.
Availability of once-daily FDC-based regimens did not affect likelihood of cART initiation. Patient clinical characteristics appear to be more important predictors of cART initiation.
HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care 01/2010; 2:19-26.
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Jack F Hollis, Christina M Gullion,
Victor J Stevens,
Phillip J Brantley,
Lawrence J Appel,
Jamy D Ard,
Catherine M Champagne,
Arlene Dalcin,
Thomas P Erlinger,
Kristine Funk,
Daniel Laferriere,
Pao-Hwa Lin,
Catherine M Loria,
Carmen Samuel-Hodge,
William M Vollmer,
Laura P Svetkey
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ABSTRACT: To improve methods for long-term weight management, the Weight Loss Maintenance (WLM) trial, a four-center randomized trial, was conducted to compare alternative strategies for maintaining weight loss over a 30-month period. This paper describes methods and results for the initial 6-month weight-loss program (Phase I).
Eligible adults were aged > or =25, overweight or obese (BMI=25-45 kg/m2), and on medications for hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. Anthropomorphic, demographic, and psychosocial measures were collected at baseline and 6 months. Participants (n=1685) attended 20 weekly group sessions to encourage calorie restriction, moderate-intensity physical activity, and the DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) dietary pattern. Weight-loss predictors with missing data were replaced by multiple imputation.
Participants were 44% African American and 67% women; 79% were obese (BMI> or =30), 87% were taking anti-hypertensive medications, and 38% were taking antidyslipidemia medications. Participants attended an average of 72% of 20 group sessions. They self-reported 117 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, kept 3.7 daily food records per week, and consumed 2.9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. The Phase-I follow-up rate was 92%. Mean (SD) weight change was -5.8 kg (4.4), and 69% lost at least 4 kg. All race-gender subgroups lost substantial weight: African-American men (-5.4 kg +/- 7.7); African-American women (-4.1 kg +/- 2.9); non-African-American men (-8.5 kg +/- 12.9); and non-African-American women (-5.8 kg +/- 6.1). Behavioral measures (e.g., diet records and physical activity) accounted for most of the weight-loss variation, although the association between behavioral measures and weight loss differed by race and gender groups.
The WLM behavioral intervention successfully achieved clinically significant short-term weight loss in a diverse population of high-risk patients.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 08/2008; 35(2):118-26. · 4.04 Impact Factor
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Laura P Svetkey,
Victor J Stevens,
Phillip J Brantley,
Lawrence J Appel,
Jack F Hollis,
Catherine M Loria,
William M Vollmer, Christina M Gullion,
Kristine Funk,
Patti Smith, [......],
David W Harsha,
Pamela Evans,
Thomas P Erlinger,
Arline T Dalcin,
Janelle Coughlin,
Jeanne Charleston,
Catherine M Champagne,
Alan Bauck,
Jamy D Ard,
Kathleen Aicher
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ABSTRACT: Behavioral weight loss interventions achieve short-term success, but re-gain is common.
To compare 2 weight loss maintenance interventions with a self-directed control group.
Two-phase trial in which 1032 overweight or obese adults (38% African American, 63% women) with hypertension, dyslipidemia, or both who had lost at least 4 kg during a 6-month weight loss program (phase 1) were randomized to a weight-loss maintenance intervention (phase 2). Enrollment at 4 academic centers occurred August 2003-July 2004 and randomization, February-December 2004. Data collection was completed in June 2007.
After the phase 1 weight-loss program, participants were randomized to one of the following groups for 30 months: monthly personal contact, unlimited access to an interactive technology-based intervention, or self-directed control. Main Outcome Changes in weight from randomization.
Mean entry weight was 96.7 kg. During the initial 6-month program, mean weight loss was 8.5 kg. After randomization, weight regain occurred. Participants in the personal-contact group regained less weight (4.0 kg) than those in the self-directed group (5.5 kg; mean difference at 30 months, -1.5 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.4 to -0.6 kg; P = .001). At 30 months, weight regain did not differ between the interactive technology-based (5.2 kg) and self-directed groups (5.5 kg; mean difference -0.3 kg; 95% CI, -1.2 to 0.6 kg; P = .51); however, weight regain was lower in the interactive technology-based than in the self-directed group at 18 months (mean difference, -1.1 kg; 95% CI, -1.9 to -0.4 kg; P = .003) and at 24 months (mean difference, -0.9 kg; 95% CI, -1.7 to -0.02 kg; P = .04). At 30 months, the difference between the personal-contact and interactive technology-based group was -1.2 kg (95% CI -2.1 to -0.3; P = .008). Effects did not differ significantly by sex, race, age, and body mass index subgroups. Overall, 71% of study participants remained below entry weight.
The majority of individuals who successfully completed an initial behavioral weight loss program maintained a weight below their initial level. Monthly brief personal contact provided modest benefit in sustaining weight loss, whereas an interactive technology-based intervention provided early but transient benefit.
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00054925.
JAMA The Journal of the American Medical Association 04/2008; 299(10):1139-48. · 30.03 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although use of telephone advice nursing services continues to grow, little research has addressed factors that affect crucial call outcomes like follow-through on the advice given. This article describes aspects of the advice call process and examines predictors of caller follow-through, using a conceptual model derived from the literature and the authors' preliminary work. Calls to call centers and medical offices of a large health maintenance organization were taped, then content was coded and matched with caller questionnaire (CQ) data. Out of 1,863 participants, 1,489 reported following all the advice. In the final multivariate predictive model, statistically significant predictors of follow-through were patient health status, caller's rating of nurse helpfulness, and the extent to which caller expectations for collaboration were met and the caller understood the advice given. Results suggest that nurses should receive continuous training on effective communication techniques, and advice nurse performance standards that create barriers to communication should be modified.
Clinical Nursing Research 09/2007; 16(3):251-69. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Patient satisfaction has been shown to be a factor in clinical outcomes, health care quality, and patient follow-through. Thus, a high level of satisfaction is a desired outcome of patient care. This article examines predictors of patient satisfaction with telephone nursing services among a sample of 1,939 respondents, using a conceptual model derived from the literature and preliminary work. The study was conducted in medical offices and call centers of a large national health maintenance organization. Calls were taped and content coded and then matched with caller questionnaire data. In the final multivariate predictive models, patient health status; caller ratings of expectations met by the nurse for listening, clarity, and collaboration; and nurse competence were the strongest predictors of satisfaction. Consistent with the literature, findings suggest that nurses should expand interpersonal communication skills, and systems should reduce barriers to effective listening, clarity, and collaboration with callers.
Clinical Nursing Research 06/2007; 16(2):119-37. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To compare dental treatment experiences and costs in members of a health maintenance organization (HMO) in areas with and without community water fluoridation.
HMO members with continuous dental eligibility (January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1995) who resided in Oregon and Washington were identified using administrative databases. Fluoridation status was determined by geocoding subscriber address. Measures were utilization of dental procedures, fluoride dispensings, and associated costs. Costs were based on nonmember fees, adjusted to 1995 dollar values. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance, controlling for age and interactions.
About 85 percent of eligible members (n = 51,683) were classified as residing either in a fluoridated (n = 12,194) or nonfluoridated (n = 39,489) area. Mean age was 40.0 years; 52.3 percent were women. More than 92 percent of members had one or more dental visits. Community water fluoridation was associated with reduced total and restorative costs among members with one or more visits, but the magnitude and direction of the effect varied with locale and age and the effects were generally small. In two locales, the cost of restorations was higher in nonfluoridated areas in young people (<age 18) and older adults (>age 58). In younger adults, the opposite effect was observed. The impact of fluoridation may be attenuated by higher use of preventive procedures, in particular supplemental fluorides, in the nonfluoridated areas.
These results are particularly relevant to insured populations with established access to dental care. Differences in treatment costs (savings) associated with water fluoridation should be estimated and included in future cost-effectiveness analyses of community water fluoridation.
Journal of Public Health Dentistry 01/2007; 67(4):224-33. · 1.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Our previous work showed that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were 10 times more likely to die than progress to end-stage renal disease. This study examines the impact of comorbidities on mortality risk in a cohort with CKD at 3 levels of progression and a sex- and age-matched comparison group.
In a historical, prospective, cohort study, we selected electronic medical record data for health maintenance organization (HMO) members with an index and repeated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the range of 15 to 90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (0.25 to 1.50 mL/s/1.73 m(2)) in 1996 who were followed up for at least 54 months or died during this period. These were matched for birth year and sex with HMO members not meeting GFR criteria, but with the same follow-up criteria. Major comorbid chronic conditions also were identified based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnostic codes in the electronic medical record. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the relative risk for mortality versus comparison subjects as a function of GFR, age, and other chronic conditions.
In the final sample of 19,945 pairs, we found that risk for mortality increases as GFR decreases, but also that both age and other chronic conditions are significant risk factors for mortality.
Baseline levels of estimated GFR and other major chronic disorders all contributed negatively to survival. The relative impact of these comorbidities was greatest among younger (<60 years) patients with CKD, and their relative effect diminished with age.
American Journal of Kidney Diseases 08/2006; 48(2):212-20. · 5.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were to update previous estimates of the congestive heart failure (CHF) incidence rate in patients with type 2 diabetes, compare it with an age- and sex-matched nondiabetic group, and describe risk factors for developing CHF in diabetic patients over 6 years of follow-up.
We performed a retrospective cohort study of 8,231 patients with type 2 diabetes and 8,845 nondiabetic patients of similar age and sex who did not have CHF as of 1 January 1997, following them for up to 72 months to estimate the CHF incidence rate. In the diabetic cohort, we constructed a Cox regression model to identify risk factors for CHF development.
Patients with diabetes were much more likely to develop CHF than patients without diabetes (incidence rate 30.9 vs. 12.4 cases per 1,000 person-years, rate ratio 2.5, 95% CI 2.3-2.7). The difference in CHF development rates between persons with and without diabetes was much greater in younger age-groups. In addition to age and ischemic heart disease, poorer glycemic control (hazard ratio 1.32 per percentage point of HbA(1c)) and greater BMI (1.12 per 2.5 units of BMI) were important predictors of CHF development.
The CHF incidence rate in type 2 diabetes may be much greater than previously believed. Our multivariate results emphasize the importance of controlling modifiable risk factors for CHF, namely hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, and obesity. Younger patients may benefit most from risk factor modification.
Diabetes Care 09/2004; 27(8):1879-84. · 8.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) afflicts up to 20 million people in the United States, but little is known about their health care costs. The authors analyzed costs and resource use associated with CKD by using National Kidney Foundation staging definitions. Patients insured through a large health maintenance organization with a laboratory finding of CKD (defined as estimated GFR between 15 and 90 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in 1996 followed by a second GFR below 90 at the next creatinine measurement occurring at least 90 d later) were followed from 1996 for up to 66 mo. The final cohort included 13,796 persons with CKD and their age- and gender-matched controls; 1741 in stage 2; 11,278 in stage 3; and 777 in stage 4. Depending on stage, cases had 1.9 to 2.5 times more prescriptions, 1.3 to 1.9 times more outpatient visits, were 1.6 to 2.2 times more likely to have had an inpatient stay, and had 1.8 to 3.1 more stays than did controls. Total per patient follow-up costs were [$total, (95% CI) cases and controls, respectively] $38,764 (95% CI, 37,033 to $40,496) and $16,212 (95% CI, $15,644 to $16,780) in stage 2; $33,144 (95% CI, $32,578 to $33,709) and $18,964 (95% CI, $18,730 to $19,197) in stage 3; and $41,928 (95% CI, $39,354 to $44,501) and $19,106 (95% CI, $18,212 to $20,000) in stage 4. Cases with no CKD-related comorbidities had costs double that of controls with no CKD-related comorbidities, and comorbidities related to CKD were more costly to manage than CKD alone. Future research in this area could be usefully directed toward analyzing the clinical and economic consequences of better managing or preventing comorbidities in patients with CKD.
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 06/2004; 15(5):1300-6. · 9.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Chronic kidney disease is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease in the United States. The purpose of this study was to understand the natural history of chronic kidney disease with regard to progression to renal replacement therapy (transplant or dialysis) and death in a representative patient population.
In 1996 we identified 27 998 patients in our health plan who had estimated glomerular filtration rates of less than 90 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) on 2 separate measurements at least 90 days apart. We followed up patients from the index date of the first glomerular filtration rates of less than 90 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) until renal replacement therapy, death, disenrollment from the health plan, or June 30, 2001. We extracted from the computerized medical records the prevalence of the following comorbidities at the index date and end point: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hyperlipidemia, and renal anemia.
Our data showed that the rate of renal replacement therapy over the 5-year observation period was 1.1%, 1.3%, and 19.9%, respectively, for the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) stages 2, 3, and 4, but that the mortality rate was 19.5%, 24.3%, and 45.7%. Thus, death was far more common than dialysis at all stages. In addition, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and anemia were more prevalent in the patients who died but hypertension prevalence was similar across all stages.
Our data suggest that efforts to reduce mortality in this population should be focused on treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and anemia.
Archives of Internal Medicine 04/2004; 164(6):659-63. · 11.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We studied telephone advice nursing (TAN) in the US. We recorded 4269 TAN calls in four regions served by Kaiser Permanente, a health maintenance organization. A call description form was used to record information regarding both calls and callers. The mean call length was 5.9 min (SD 3.6, range 0.3-35.8); 300 calls lasted less than 2 min. The mean call length differed significantly across regions, from 4.4 min in Hawaii to 8.7 min in Southern California. Calls to call centres lasted an average of 6.5 min (SD 3.8), compared with 4.2 min (SD 2.9) for those to medical offices. These differences were significant. Although 42% of calls required some further medical management, only 18% (n = 754) resulted in an urgent disposition, and only 16% (n = 121; 3% of all calls) of the urgent dispositions involved referral to emergency services. The likelihood of urgent disposition varied significantly by region. Callers generally used the TAN services for the right reasons, that is, with questions or concerns that could be reasonably handled by telephone advice nurses.
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 02/2004; 10(1):50-4. · 1.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Caller descriptions and evaluations of their experiences with telephone advice services provide unique information that correlates highly with objective measures of quality and can help interpret data from other sources. An author-developed questionnaire assessed caller outcomes of telephone nursing advice in Phase I an iterative, purposive sample of 40 callers was interviewed by phone. An emergent design was used to develop questions, analyze constructs of interest, and test questions for a draft caller questionnaire, which was tested in Phase II. Responses to the questionnaire provided information about caller characteristics, advice call characteristics, and nurse practice behaviors that caused the authors to further revise the questionnaire. The resulting tool provides feedback to advice nurses about the outcomes of their practice and information to design orientation and development programs and support fund allocation decisions.
Clinical Nursing Research 09/2003; 12(3):266-81. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to assess the oral health status and dental care needs of elderly adults living in long-term care facilities. Dentists examined 601 elderly adults, living in one of six extended-or intermediate-care facilities, between September 1999 and May 2000. Data from 532 of the subjects were analyzed with descriptive statistics and zero-order inverse polynomials. Using a computer program, the authors compiled summaries of oral health data on individuals and institutional levels. This study suggests that there are numerous unmet dental needs among elderly adults who live in institutions. The CODE index used to assess the oral health of these residents offers a systematic portrayal of oral disorders in terms of severity. As the authors demonstrated, this index can be readily analyzed using zero-order inverse polynomials to summarize collected data into a graphic description, which can be helpful in managing and administrating oral health care interventions in long-term care facilities.
Special Care in Dentistry 22(5):194-200.
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ABSTRACT: This study evaluated whether oral disorders were associated with chronic systemic diseases in 532 Canadian adults who are old and very old and living in institutions. A brief oral examination documented tooth retention, caries, and periodontal and gingival health. Medical records provided information about chronic systemic conditions. A history of stroke was associated with a higher experience of caries, a higher ratio of decayed-to-present teeth, and more gingival and periodontal problems. Participants with high blood pressure, osteoporosis, or diabetes were more likely to be edentulous or to have fewer teeth than participants who did not have these conditions. Participants who had arthritis retained more teeth with age. Participants who had more diseases also tended to have poorer gingival or periodontal conditions, fewer teeth, and higher risk of edentulousness. The associations between systemic diseases and more severe oral disorders may be direct or may be mediated by underlying factors such as health behaviors.
Special Care in Dentistry 23(6):199-208.
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ABSTRACT: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are chronic, recurrent, non-progressive pain conditions affecting the jaw and face. Patients least likely to respond to allopathic treatment are those with the most marked biological responsiveness to external stressors and concomitant emotional and psychosocial difficulties. These characteristics describe individuals who are "dispirited" and may benefit from shamanic healing, an ancient form of spiritual healing.
This phase 1 study tested feasibility and safety of shamanic healing for TMDs.
Participants were randomized to 1 of 4 shamanic practitioners and attended 5 shamanic healing sessions. Self-reported pain and disability were recorded at baseline and each treatment visit and at 1, 3, 6, and 9-month follow-ups. Participants also were clinically evaluated at baseline and end of treatment. In-depth interviews, part of our mixed methods design, were conducted at baseline and end of treatment to evaluate acceptability and nonclinical changes associated with treatment.
Portland, Oregon.
Twenty-three women with diagnosed TMDs.
Shamanic treatment carried out during 5 treatment visits.
Change from baseline to posttreatment in diagnosis of TMDs by Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) exam and participant self-ratings on the "usual" pain, "worst" pain, and functional impact of TMDs subscales of the RDC Axis II Pain Related Disability and Psychological Status Scale. This paper reports on outcomes at end of treatment.
This study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of clinical trials of shamanic healing. The mean of usual pain went from 4.96 to 2.70, P<.0001; worst pain from 7.48 to 3.60, P<.0001, and functional impact of TMDs from 3.74 to 1.15, P<.0052. Only 4 women were clinically diagnosed with TMDs at the end of treatment.
Alternative therapies in health and medicine 13(6):18-29. · 1.77 Impact Factor
