Evaluating efficacy and feasibility of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for postoperative pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A randomized pilot trial.

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been applied for pain relief after surgical procedures. This study evaluated whether TENS after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), in addition to opioid administration, decreased postoperative pain and pain medication use.

Methods: In a controlled trial, 56 patients scheduled to undergo VATS were randomly assigned to TENS plus opioids (Group 1) or opioids alone (Group 2) for 48 h.

The effect of grape seed extract on estrogen levels of postmenopausal women: a pilot study.

The role of estrogens in breast cancer (BC) development is widely accepted, leading to the development of selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors for BC treatment and prevention. However, because of potential adverse effects, healthy women with high risk of BC are hesitant to take them. Preliminary evidence from animal studies shows that grapes may have an aromatase-inhibiting effect, decreasing estrogen synthesis and increasing androgen precursors.

Physicians' attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine and their knowledge of specific therapies: 8-year follow-up at an academic medical center.

The purpose of this study was to determine changes in attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies and knowledge of specific CAM therapies among internists at our institution. We compared the results of a survey given in 2004 and 2012. During this time period, the attitudes of physicians in our department of medicine toward CAM became much more positive, and physicians showed an increased willingness to use CAM to address patient care needs.

Feasibility and effect of chair massage offered to nurses during work hours on stress-related symptoms: a pilot study.

This study assessed feasibility and effect of weekly, 15-min chair massages during work for 38 nurses. Mean Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14), Smith Anxiety Scale (SAS), linear analog self-assessment scale (LASA), and symptom visual analog scale (SX-VAS) scores were tracked at baseline, 5 weeks, and 10 weeks. Of 400 available massage appointments, 329 were used.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients seen at the dermatology department of a tertiary care center.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with dermatologic conditions has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and pattern of CAM use in patients referred to the dermatology department of a tertiary care center. Patients referred to the dermatology department of an academic tertiary referral center between February 2, 2010, and February 10, 2010, were invited to participate in an 86-question survey regarding CAM use during the previous year.

Feasibility and effectiveness of massage therapy for symptom relief in cardiac catheter laboratory staff: a pilot study.

A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility and efficacy of massage therapy for cardiac catheterization laboratory staff. Staff members (N = 50) were randomly assigned to 5 or 10 weekly 30-min massages, followed by outcomes assessment. A control group (n = 10) receiving no massage therapy underwent comparable assessment.

Evaluation of a biofeedback-assisted meditation program as a stress management tool for hospital nurses: a pilot study.

Objective: To assess whether a self-directed, computer-guided meditation training program is useful for stress reduction in hospital nurses.

Design: We prospectively evaluated participants before and after a month-long meditation program. The meditation program consisted of 15 computer sessions that used biofeedback to reinforce training.

The effect of chair massage on muscular discomfort in cardiac sonographers: a pilot study.

Background: Cardiac sonographers frequently have work-related muscular discomfort. We aimed to assess the feasibility of having sonographers receive massages during working hours in an area adjacent to an echocardiography laboratory and to assess relief of discomfort with use of the massages with or without stretching exercises.

Methods: A group of 45 full-time sonographers was randomly assigned to receive weekly 30-minute massage sessions, massages plus stretching exercises to be performed twice a day, or no intervention.

Measurement of quality of life and participant experience with the mindfulness-based stress reduction program.

Clinical studies of MBSR have reported efficacy in treating pain, mood disorders, arthritis, sleep disturbances, and stress. Several academic medical institutions in the United States offer MBSR to their patients, but it has never been offered at Mayo Clinic. The objective of this study was to collect quality-of-life data from subjects who participated in the first MBSR program offered at Mayo Clinic.

Dietary supplement S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) effects on plasma homocysteine levels in healthy human subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To determine if exogenous S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet), a commonly used nutritional supplement, increases the level of plasma homocysteine (Hcy), a potential cardiovascular risk factor, in healthy human subjects.

Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Patients' attitudes and preferences about participation and recruitment strategies in clinical trials.

Objective: To assess attitudes of patients about participation in clinical trials.

Patients And Methods: This is a self-report survey of 400 patients who underwent general medical evaluations between September and November 2006 at a tertiary care academic medical center in Rochester, MN. We measured knowledge of access to clinical trials, attitudes toward participation, recruitment preferences, and beliefs about research integrity.

Dietary soy supplement on fibromyalgia symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, early phase trial.

Most patients with fibromyalgia use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Properly designed controlled trials are necessary to assess the effectiveness of these practices. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, early phase trial.

Potential for interactions between dietary supplements and prescription medications.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of clinically significant interactions caused by concurrent use of dietary supplements and prescription medication.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, point-of-care survey and combined the findings with a review of patient medical records. Patients treated at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn) in 6 different specialty clinics were surveyed for their use of dietary supplements.

Gender-specific differences in a patient population with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Background: Sleep-related breathing disorders are increasingly recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Women with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSA) are less likely to be assessed or to receive a diagnosis, and they may have poorer survival rates.

Objective: This study assessed gender-specific differences in patients with OSA.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine treatments by patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.

Study Objectives: To assess the proportion of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) reporting previous or current use and interest in future use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies.

Design: Cross-sectional, point-of-care, anonymous survey.

Setting: Sleep disorders center at a Midwest tertiary care center.

Physicians' attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine and their knowledge of specific therapies: a survey at an academic medical center.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of physicians at an academic medical center toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies and the physicians' knowledge base regarding common CAM therapies. A link to a Web-based survey was e-mailed to 660 internists at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, USA. Physicians were asked about their attitudes toward CAM in general and their knowledge regarding specific CAM therapies.

Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies by patients referred to a fibromyalgia treatment program at a tertiary care center.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in patients referred to a fibromyalgia treatment program at a tertiary care center.

Patients And Methods: Patients referred to the Mayo Fibromyalgia Treatment Program between February 2003 and July 2003 were invited on their initial visit to participate in a survey regarding CAM use during the previous 6 months. An 85-question survey that addressed different CAM domains was used.

Gamma-heavy chain disease: review of 23 cases.

We report the cases of 23 patients with gamma-heavy chain disease seen at our institution (8 patients previously reported, 15 new patients). There were 15 women and 8 men; the median age at diagnosis was 68 years (range, 42-87 yr). Sixteen patients had an associated lymphoplasma cell proliferative disorder, 3 had a lymphoplasma cell proliferative disorder and an autoimmune disorder, another 3 had an autoimmune disorder only, and 1 had no underlying disease.