What's New in Mind-Body Research

Clinical trials are medical research studies designed to answer specific questions about new therapies, procedures, or treatments, by testing them in people. This carefully conducted research helps to determine if the therapy is safe and effective. To learn more information about these and more clinical trials in alternative medicine, please visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website.

Alternative Stress Management Techniques in HIV
The purpose of this study is to determine whether three short-term stress management interventions along with booster strategies will improve and sustain improvements in psychosocial functioning, quality of life, and somatic health among persons with varying stages of HIV disease. The 10-week group interventions are designed to reduce perceived stress and increase coping effectiveness and include cognitive-behavioral stress management focused on positively living, focused Tai Chi training, and spiritual growth groups.

Efficacy of Distant Healing in Glioblastoma Treatment
The proposed study is a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial of "distant healing intentionality." Distant Healing (DH) is defined as a "mental intention on behalf of one person, to benefit another at a distance." This study will assess whether DH effects survival time and loss of function for glioblastoma patients under conditions where hope and expectation are controlled. The study will include approximately 150 patients who have rapidly progressing glioblastoma and are beginning radiotherapy. Each patient in the DH group will be treated for two weeks by 10 different healers over the 20 week intervention. Experienced healers will have photographs of subjects and send "mental intention for health and well being" to subjects for one hour daily, three times per week. The healing intervention will be performed at a distance, and patients and healers will never meet, nor will patients know their group assignment.

Treatment of Functional Abdominal Pain in Children: Evaluation of Relaxation/Guided Imagery and Chamomile Tea as Therapeutic Modalities
The purpose of this study is to investigate Guided Imagery and the use of Chamomile tea aimed at alleviating chronic pain related to functional bowel disorders in children. Functional abdominal pain is defined as pain unrelated to an identifiable organic gastrointestinal disorder.

Basic Mechanisms of Meditation and Cardiovascular Disease in Older Blacks
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in older African Americans, and accounts for 40% of the disproportionate risk for mortality observed in African Americans compared to white Americans. The majority of CVD patients experience acute cardiac events, many sudden and unexpected, despite conventional treatment of their disease and associated traditional risk factors. This study will be a randomized, blinded, controlled study of the effects of meditation, compared to a control group on the arterial function, autonomic nervous system imbalances, psychosocial stress, and quality of life in older African Americans with CVD.