Michele Antonelli

Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Reggio Emilia | ASL Reggio Emilia · Department of Public Health

Edible mushrooms have played a significant role in dietary habits, culinary traditions, folk medicine, myths, and culture since ancient times. This study aims to understand if the regular consumption of edible mushrooms as part of a balanced diet can have some specific beneficial effects on health, especially in preventive medicine. PubMed and Goog...

Increasing evidence supports the direct healing effects of forests, partly attributed to the exposure to plant-emitted monoterpenes available in the forest atmosphere. The potential benefits on respiratory functions from inhaling monoterpenes have gained attention, especially due to the global rise in respiratory diseases. This study involved 42 as...

Increasing evidence supports the direct healing effects of forests, partly attributed to the exposure to plant-emitted monoterpenes available in the forest atmosphere. The potential benefits on respiratory functions from inhaling monoterpenes have gained attention, especially due to the global rise in respiratory diseases. This study involved 42 as...

This systematic review explores the influence of silence on the autonomic nervous system. The Polyvagal Theory has been used as a reference model to describe the autonomic nervous system by explaining its role in emotional regulation, social engagement, and adaptive physiological responses. PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were...

This research aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key demographic, psychosocial, and lifestyle-related characteristics of forest therapy participants in Italy. A survey was conducted among 1070 adults who had engaged in standardized forest therapy experiences between June 2021 and October 2022. The findings indicate that most forest the...

Happiness is receiving more and more interest both as a determinant of health and a measure of outcome in biomedical and psychological sciences. The main objective of this study was to assess how the levels of happiness vary in a large sample of Italian adults and to identify the socio-demographic conditions which impair happiness domains the most....

Negli ultimi anni sono emerse molte diete che promettono di farci perdere peso, migliorare il benessere individuale e prevenire – o addirittura curare – le malattie più diffuse. Ma tra tante proposte, come distinguere quelle che funzionano davvero e sono sicure per la nostra salute? Come possiamo beneficiare al meglio di queste diete per raggiunger...

Concentration and memory impairment (named “brain fog”) represents a frequent and disabling neuropsychological sequela in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether neurocognitive function could improve after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program enhanced with individualized neuropsychological tre...

Background and Objective: Various studies examined mud-therapy in the last twenty years, but mechanisms of action of these non-pharmacological treatments (mudpack or mud-bath) are still almost unknown and it is difficult to establish the efficacy of mud-therapy approach. The aim of this meta-analysis is to offer an update of the existing literature...

Introduction It is estimated that up to one third of COVID-19 patients can develop long-lasting smell dysfunction. Viral infections, especially COVID-19, can cause anosmia through different pathomechanisms and different strategies have been proposed for effectively managing post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction in clinical practice, with olfactory tr...

Immersive experiences in green areas, particularly in forests, have long been known to produce beneficial effects for human health. However, the exact determinants and mechanisms leading to healthy outcomes remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this observational cohort study was to investigate whether inhaling plant-emitted biogenic volatile com...

Immersive experiences in green areas and particularly in forests have long been known to produce beneficial effects for human health. However, the exact determinants and mechanisms leading to healthy outcomes remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether inhaling plant-emitted biogenic volatile compounds, namely mono...

Chronic Achilles tendinopathy is characterised by sub-acute inflammation with pro-inflammatory type 1 macrophages (M1), tissue degeneration and consequent partial or total tendon injury. Control of the inflammatory response and M1-to-M2 macrophage polarisation can favour tendon healing both directly and indirectly, by allowing for the regenerative...

Questa tesi descrive una panoramica della letteratura scientifica e un caso clinico sull'utilizzo dell'agopuntura e, più in generale, della medicina integrativa nel favorire la disassuefazione dal tabagismo.

Introduction. This research aims to understand whether there is some evidence in support of dietary supplements for air pollution protection. Methods. A narrative literature review conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar. Results. In urban areas, individual exposure to air pollutants is usually associated with inflammation of the airways, with negat...

Lavender oil, rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, has a long-standing traditional use as a tranquilizer to relieve symptoms of mental stress and as a sleep aid. The three main botanical species of lavender harvested for medicinal purposes are Lavandula angustifolia (the most used one), Lavandula latifolia, and Lavandula × intermedia. Available sc...

Three patients with Achilles tendon partial injury were treated with local injection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNCs). All subjects were evaluated both clinically (American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society - AOFAS scale) and radiologically (MRI examination) at 2 months, and a clinical reassessment with the AOFAS scale was performed at...

This congress presentation aimed to showcase the main study results of the following research publication: "Antonelli, M., Donelli, D., Veronesi, L., Vitale, M., & Pasquarella, C. (2021). Clinical efficacy of medical hydrology: an umbrella review. International Journal of Biometeorology, 65(10), 1597-1614.".

Introduzione. La terapia con fanghi termali è una scelta terapeutica frequente nel trattamento di numerose patologie sia artroreumatiche che dermatologiche. In letteratura il suo utilizzo, singolarmente o in combinazione con altre terapie fisiche e/o farmacologiche, è stato analizzato in diversi studi, senza però che venissero riscontrate chiare in...

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of face masks used for COVID-19 prevention on emotion recognition in facial expressions. Seventy-two (72) adult participants (48 females, 24 males) attempted to correctly identify different emotions displayed by a female and a male actor’s facial expressions. Simulated emotions included neutrality, happiness,...

Section A -> Study protocol additional details. Section B -> Study results: secondary outcomes. Section C -> In-depth analysis and further discussion of our study findings.

Razionale dello studio: Analizzare le evidenze scientifiche esistenti sull’efficacia dei rimedi a base di omogenato di uova di quaglia (Coturnix) e zinco per il trattamento integrativo della rinite allergica. Metodi: Una revisione sistematica di studi clinici condotta nel luglio 2022 su PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, DOAJ e Googl...

Razionale dello studio: La citisina, un agonista parziale dei recettori nicotinici, viene estratta dal Cytisus Laburnum ed utilizzata come rimedio per smettere di fumare. Questo studio ha l'obiettivo di valutare le evidenze scientifiche in materia. Metodi: Una revisione di studi clinici condotta nell'aprile 2022 su PubMed e Cochrane Library. I risu...

This study aims at evaluating the psychometric properties of a new scale to measure experienced happiness—the Measure of Happiness (MH)—in a nonclinical sample composed of Italian adults from the general population. The MH was developed not only to provide a global measure of happiness, but also and more importantly to identify the specific areas o...

Il capitolo presenta un quadro delle principali conoscenze scientifiche sugli effetti legati alla terapia forestale ed alla frequentazione di ambienti forestali, sia a livello psicologico che fisiologico, spiegando al contempo come questi effetti siano mediati dai sensi umani e quali meccanismi agiscono nel determinarli. Un intero paragrafo è dedic...

This presentation briefly discusses the potential role of ginseng supplementation for upper respiratory infections in the light of available scientific evidence. For further details, check the following article: Antonelli, M., Donelli, D., & Firenzuoli, F. (2020). Ginseng integrative supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections:...

This umbrella review was aimed at understanding if the Mediterranean diet can have a protective role against the development of age-related cognitive disorders. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus and the DOAJ were systematically searched for relevant meta-analyses published in the last 10 years (up to October 2021). After the...

The aim of this review is to understand if Spirulina can significantly improve the CD4+ cell count in patients with HIV. PubMed was searched up to February 2022 for relevant trials, and seven studies were found to match our inclusion criteria. Overall, the available evidence indicates that Spirulina might be useful to improve the CD4+ T-lymphocyte...

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]

Introduction. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a tropical plant well known in Ayurveda as a source of traditional phytotherapic remedies. This study aims to understand if there is any clinical evidence in support of the use of mango and its derivatives in Integrative Medicine. Methods. To answer the research question, a narrative literature review w...

With pollution-related health problems on the rise, the focus of modern Environmental Health (EH) has mostly been placed on toxicology and exposure science. Despite the importance of toxicological aspects, the environment should be studied not only to identify pollution-related hazards, but also to investigate potentially therapeutic and health-enh...

The aim of this review was to summarize any evidence-based clinical uses of thalassotherapy. PubMed was searched up to the 15th July 2021 for relevant studies. Overall, 560 articles were found and 14 studies were included in this review. Clinical efficacy of thalassotherapy was mostly tested for skin problems (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo...

This scientific poster summarizes the main results of our literature review about thalassotherapy and its potential evidence-based uses in clinical practice.

The aim of this systematic review is to understand if kiwifruit dietary consumption can effectively improve constipation and intestinal function. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for relevant studies from inception up to September 2021. After database search, nine clinical studies were considered eligible for inclus...

Introduction. Ginkgo biloba, also known as the maidenhair tree, is a plant originating from Asia traditionally used to produce herbal supplements for cognitive impairment and vascular problems. This literature overview aims to assess whether G. biloba extracts are an effective and safe remedy for the symptomatic improvement of age-related dementia....

OBJECTIVE: Current demographic trends show an increase in world population ageing with the urgent necessity to identify sustainable strategies for supporting healthy ageing. The aim of this review was to assess whether forest bathing can improve elderly subjects’ well-being and quality of life. DESIGN AND METHOD: This study was designed as a narrat...

In ancient traditions, healing rituals were usually set in natural environments with specific characteristics. These places (i.e. a forest, a cave, a spring, a river...) were believed to possess restorative properties and to trigger healing processes. Recently, scientific evidence is accumulating on the beneficial effects of natural settings for ps...

Immersion in forest environments was shown to produce beneficial effects to human health, in particular psychophysical relaxation, leading to its growing recognition as a form of integrative medicine. However, limited evidence exists about the statistical significance of the effects and their association with external and environmental variables an...

Introduction. Environmental health research has recently started to study the effects on health of well-being promoting practices based on forest exposure. This review aims to understand whether forest exposure can directly improve respiratory function. Methods. This study was designed as a narrative literature review. PubMed, Cochrane Library and...

Environmental health research has recently started to study the health effects of well-being-promoting practices based on forest exposure. This narrative review aims to understand whether forest exposure can directly improve respiratory function. PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were screened, up until April 2021, for clinical studies ab...

Introduction. Regenerative therapies have recently gained popularity in orthopedics and we overview the available scientific evidence on the topic. Methods. A narrative literature review with three relevant case reports. Results. Scientific evidence on regenerative medicine is growing, but some established findings can de underscored. First, a pers...

Article published in "The Forestry Source" (issue: July 2021), the official journal of the Society of American Foresters.

In questo articolo viene analizzato il possibile ricorso ad alcuni esercizi di "Qi Gong", antica ginnastica cinese, per promuovere il recupero funzionale a seguito di un episodio di COVID-19. In particolare, si cerca di collegare tradizione e scienza per trovare utili strategie di promozione del benessere psico-fisico alla luce delle attuali necess...

The aim of this review was to outline the most relevant benefits of forest bathing for well-being promotion. This study was designed as an umbrella literature review. Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL and the DOAJ were systematically searched for relevant reviews up to February...

Supplementary Table A. Relevant narrative reviews about the effects on individual well-being of forest bathing and other forest-related interventions. Supplementary Table B. Relevant systematic reviews about the effects on children’s well-being of forest camps and other forest-based experiences. Supplementary Table C. Quality of included systematic...

The aim of this research was to summarize available scientific evidence on the efficacy of medical hydrology for the management of any health condition. The search was conducted on 26th March 2021, in the following databases: Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. All relevant literature reviews investig...

SECTION 1: Search strategies and retrieved items for each scientific database. SECTION 2: List of articles excluded after a global evaluation of their full-text version. SECTION 3: Quality assessment of included systematic reviews. SECTION 4: Clinical evidence overlap among included reviews. Freely available also here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s0048...

Aim. To study the antimicrobial properties of essential oils extracted from plants of the Asteraceae family against Herpes Simplex Viruses type 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2). Methods. A systematic literature review was carried out in seven online repositories (ISI Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, CINAHL and Cochrane Library) to retr...

Introduction The involvement of the upper respiratory tract is common in COVID-19, and the majority of patients are treated at home with a mild-to-moderate form of the disease. Many approaches based on essential oils have been proposed for the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19. This work aims to outline the potential and safe evidence-based uses of...

Response to: Low WK, Pok WN. Effectiveness of acupuncture for tinnitus. Longhua Chin Med 2020;3:14.

Introduction. Bromelain is a proteolytic compound extracted from pineapple (Ananas comosus) stems and fruits. The aim of this review is to describe the effects of bromelain on individual health. Methods. A narrative review of the scientific literature. Results. Relevant evidence is globally scant, with only a few available clinical studies, and cur...

In this chapter we analyze the profound relationship between man and Forest. We describe this relationship by hinting at historical, psychological and spiritual references.

Bergamot essential oil (BEO) is the result of the mechanical manipulation (cold pressing) of the exocarp (flavedo) of the hesperidium of Citruslimon (L.) Osbeck Bergamot Group (synonym Citrus × bergamia Risso & Poit.), resulting in the bursting of the oil cavities embedded in the flavedo and the release of their contents. It is chemically dominated...

In recent years, the role of vitamin D in the immune system has been explored. In light of the global burden of COVID-19, this literature overview aims to understand whether vitamin D can be a useful integrative option for COVID-19 prevention. A PubMed-based overview of reviews (date of search: 7 December 2020). After a database search, 305 article...

Una dieta bilanciata, ricca di fibre e con il giusto apporto di vitamine e micronutrienti, può essere un valido alleato per la salute del sistema immunitario. In questo articolo, pubblicato sul magazine "Elisir di salute", vengono dati alcuni suggerimenti pratici per fare in modo che il nostro regime alimentare fornisca al sistema immunitario tutto...

Lavender oil, rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, has a long-standing traditional use as a tranquilizer to relieve symptoms of mental stress and as a sleep aid. The three main botanical species of lavender harvested for medicinal purposes are Lavandula angustifolia (the most used one), Lavandula latifolia, and Lavandula × intermedia. Available sc...

Homeopathy is a popular, although highly debated, medicinal practice based on the administration of remedies in which active substances are so diluted that no detectable trace of them remains in the final product. This hypothesis paper aims to outline a possible reinterpretation of homeopathy in the light of psychological therapies in order to impr...

Il poster sintetizza i risultati di una revisione della letteratura scientifica sul potenziale antiflogistico dell'acido anacardico e sulla sua possibile sicurezza d'impiego in ambito clinico.

In questo capitolo sarà analizzato il legame intimo che nella storia ha connesso l'uomo alla natura e, in particolare, alla foresta, con specifico riguardo a elementi psicologici, culturali e spirituali. Inoltre saranno discusse l'origine e la natura di questo legame, che rimandano al percorso evolutivo dell'uomo e al modo con cui tale percorso ha...

Inalare i Composti Organici Volatili (COV) rilasciati dagli alberi nella foresta può avere un'azione antiossidante, antinfiammatoria e balsamica sulle vie respiratorie. Inoltre, l'effetto farmacologico di alcuni di essi può essere benefico per il cervello in termini di rilassamento psico-fisico, performance cognitiva e tono dell'umore. Infatti, gli...

Terapia forestale Cnr - Istituto per la bioeconomia CAI - Club Alpino Italiano Cnr Edizioni Curatori: Francesco Meneguzzo, Federica Zabini Versione digitale: pdf scaricabile gratuitamente ISBN 978 88 8080 430 7 A partire dal ruolo insostituibile delle foreste per la vita umana e dal rapporto speciale che da sempre lega l’uomo alla foresta, il...

Introduction. Lentinan is a polysaccharide isolated from Lentinula edodes, a mushroom traditionally used in Asian medicine for the treatment of various ailments, including oncologic diseases. The aim of this umbrella review is to understand whether lentinan can be a useful integrative remedy for cancer patients. Methods. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Scie...

Introduction. Medical Hydrology has a long-standing tradition for the prevention and treatment of various epidemiologically relevant diseases. The role of Medical Hydrology in clinical and social medicine deserves attention since it is based on the use of publicly available natural resources, which can be an important element of public health for t...

Introduction. Schisandra chinensis is a plant of Chinese origin with characteristic red berries ("five flavor fruit") used for various medicinal purposes. The aim of this review is to understand if S. chinensis and its active compounds can have beneficial effects for age- and disease-related cognitive decline. Methods. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and...

Introduction. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Juice (PJ) has been traditionally proposed as an integrative remedy for various health conditions. From a pharmacological point of view, the main active substances of PJ are believed to be phenolic compounds like punicalagin, ellagic acid, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. The aim of the present umbrella rev...

Botanicals in COVID Patients: our Comments on the Position of the ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety

Inhaling forest Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like limonene and pinene can result in useful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the airways, and the pharmacological activity on the brain of some terpenes absorbed through inhalation may induce psychophysical relaxation and improve mood. An immune-boosting effect has ben also hypothesize...

Background: Tinnitus is a condition characterized by an annoying auditory phantom sensation with a heterogeneous etiology, often associated with an impairment of health-related quality of life. This umbrella review aims to determine whether acupuncture can be a useful remedy for the symptomatic management of patients with tinnitus. Methods: PubMed,...

The aim of this research work is to analyze the chemistry and diversity of forest VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and to outline their evidence-based effects on health. This research work was designed as a narrative overview of the scientific literature. Inhaling forest VOCs like limonene and pinene can result in useful antioxidant and anti-infla...

Introduction. Papaya (Carica papaya Linn.) is an exotic fruit produced by a tropical plant. The aim of this review is to describe the effects on health of papaya and its derivatives. Methods. A narrative review of the scientific literature. Results. Retrieved evidence indicates that fermented papaya can be useful as a complementary remedy for pati...

With this correspondence, we would like to briefly outline a practical perspective about a possible integrative and effective management in spa settings of COVID-19 long-term sequelae, with a keen focus on post-infective lung damage and fibrosis, which is expected to become epidemiologically relevant in the general population. In order to outline a...

Il presente articolo costituisce un sommario in lingua italiana dei principali risultati di una nostra revisione sistematica e meta-analisi sull'efficacia dell'assunzione integrativa di ginseng per la prevenzione ed il trattamento delle patologie infettive stagionali delle alte vie respiratorie. Si prega di fare riferimento a: Antonelli, M., Donell...

Background The aim of the review was to assess whether ginseng can be a useful supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections (SAURIs). Methods All clinical studies investigating ginseng efficacy for the treatment or prevention of SAURIs were included in the review. Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google...

Review question: does ginseng supplementation have any significant clinical effect in the treatment or prevention of seasonal acute upper respiratory infections? This is a review protocol registered in PROSPERO (international prospective register of systematic reviews) under the following code number: CRD42020156235.

Literature reviews can be directly used by clinicians and other health professionals to support many decision-making processes. This review aims to offer health professionals an essential practical guide to critically evaluate and properly understand results of review articles published in the scientific literature. An evidence-based methodological...

This supplementary material provides the reader with practical instructions to interpret reviews of the scientific literature. PART 1: items analyzed in the essential guide to evaluate and understand results of review articles. PART 2: how to apply the proposed guide to read and interpret an existing review article. This is an appendix of “Reading...

Editor's note: Evidence‐based medicine (EBM) and evidence‐based practice are central to a health professional's practice and involve integrating evidence generated through research with clinical expertise and patient choice. This toolbox article focuses on the learning and teaching of the principles of understanding and appraising scientific articl...

Recently, an epidemic disease outbreak caused by a novel human coronavirus has surged worldwide. Our aim is to briefly describe the potential help of phytotherapy research in finding new integrative therapeutic options against human coronaviruses, and to provide researchers with some essential hints to be used for planning future studies. Existing...

L'articolo descrive in maniera sintetica la storia, le potenzialità terapeutiche e le prospettive future dell'agopuntura alla luce delle più recenti evidenze scientifiche sull'argomento. L'obiettivo degli autori è quello di delineare i possibili utilizzi "Evidence-based" di questa pratica antichissima e suggerire futuri spunti di ricerca. CITE AS:...

Aroma-massage indicates a body massage technique which involves the use of essential oils. The aim of the present work is to outline the efficacy, safety and tolerability profile of aromatherapy massage with topically applied lavender essential oil based on a critical overview of available scientific evidence. Overall, aroma-massage with lavender e...

Background. Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees from plant sources. Objective. To study the therapeutic efficacy of propolis as an integrative remedy for any health condition. Results. Six systematic reviews of clinical studies were included in the present work. Overall, available evidence suggests that propolis can be a useful comple...

CONTEXT: Tiger Balm® (TB®) ointments are multipurpose branded Chinese topical remedies, often used for pain relief and purchasable in many countries as over-the-counter medications. AIMS: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of TB® ointments. METHODS: Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PEDro, and...

Resumen Context: Tiger Balm® (TB®) ointments are multipurpose branded Chinese topical remedies, often used for pain relief and purchasable in many countries as over-the-counter medications. Aims: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of TB® ointments. Methods: Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PEDr...

INTRODUCTION: Cocoa, obtained from Theobroma cacao L., contains substances like polyphenols and methylxanthines which can promote weight loss. However, cocoa-based products usually provide a high caloric intake. METHODS: An umbrella review was performed, searching Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for systematic reviews...

Background. Overweight and obesity are conditions characterized by a growing epidemiological trend. Objective. The present review aims to collect evidence on the efficacy and safety of remedies derived from medicinal herbs and mushrooms commonly used for weight loss. Results. Various remedies, grouped on the basis of their mechanism of action, ha...

Ganoderma lucidum, also called "Reishi" or "Ling-Zhi", is a traditional medicinal mushroom widely used for the treatment of several health conditions and for the support of the immune system. The present review aims to investigate potential therapeutic uses of orally administered Reishi, as well as its safety and tolerability in clinical practice....

Context: Tiger Balm® (TB®) ointments are multipurpose branded Chinese topical remedies, often used for pain relief and purchasable in many countries as over-the-counter medications. Aims: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of TB® ointments. Methods: Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PEDro, and t...

The poster displays results of an updated systematic review about the effects of therapeutic muds on skin flora.

Supplementary Table A Characteristics of NRS studies; Supplementary Table B Risk of Bias assessment; Supplementary Table C Qualitative synthesis of results with references; Supplementary Table D Detailed characteristics, relevant comorbidities and eligible criteria of populations analyzed in included studies; Supplementary Table E Baseline and post...

Alzheimer's disease is responsible for 60-70% of dementia cases, with an estimated global prevalence of around 50 million affected subjects. Royal Jelly (RJ) is a natural compound produced by bees, often used in Traditional Medicine as a tonic remedy with energizing properties. OBJECTIVE. Aim of the study is to review the scientific evidence about...

Il "forest bathing" o "bagno di foresta" è un'antica pratica di origine giapponese che produce effetti benefici di riduzione dello stress [The present science magazine article, published in Italian, is based on the main findings of "Antonelli, M., Barbieri, G., & Donelli, D. (2019). Effects of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on levels of cortisol as...