The effect of Gua Sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue: a pilot study in healthy subjects.

Context: Gua Sha, therapeutic surface frictioning that intentionally raises transitory petechiae and ecchymosis, is a traditional East Asian healing technique also known as cao gio, coining, scraping, and spooning. There are case reports in Western literature but no studies on the physiological effects of Gua Sha.

Objective: To study the microcirculatory effects of Gua Sha on the skin and subcutis in humans to elucidate physiological mechanisms responsible for the clinically observed pain-relieving effect of this treatment

Design: Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) was used to make sequential measurements of the microcirculation of surface tissue before and after Gua Sha treatment in 11 healthy subjects.

Effects of lifestyle modification on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis, autonomic function, and angina--the role of GNB3 C825T polymorphism.

Background: Given the multimodal medical and interventional treatment options in coronary artery disease, the additional value of intensified lifestyle modification is unclear. We have therefore examined the effects of lifestyle modification on top of current treatment and also associated with the GNB3 C825T polymorphism, which has established association to sympathetic activation and the precipitation of angina.

Methods: One hundred one patients with established coronary artery disease were randomized to a 1-year lifestyle modification group (lifestyle group [LG]) or an advice group.

Psychological and quality-of-life outcomes from a comprehensive stress reduction and lifestyle program in patients with coronary artery disease: results of a randomized trial.

Background: Stress reduction and comprehensive lifestyle modification programs have improved atherosclerosis and cardiac risk factors in earlier trials. Little is known about the impact of such programs on quality-of-life (QoL) and psychological outcomes. Given recent significant improvements in cardiac care, we evaluated the current benefit of stress reduction/lifestyle modification on QoL and emotional distress in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).