A case study: Effects of foot reflexotherapy on ADHD symptoms and enuresis nocturia in a child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can occur in association with enuresis nocturia. Alternative therapies may be effective in addressing the maladies of children with ADHD comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foot reflexotherapy in a child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient was an 8-year-old child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia. Pre- and post-tests for ADHD were completed using Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale. The subject was treated with foot reflexotherapy for 20-min per session twice per week for a period of 8 weeks. RESULTS: The child showed improvement in ADHD symptoms and his enuresis nocturia disappeared completely after foot reflexotherapy. CONCLUSION: Foot reflexotherapy was effective in improving inattention, hyperactivity in the child with ADHD. The results of this novel study suggest that foot reflexotherapy can be effective in treating ADHD child with enuresis nocturia.

The Effects of Wet Cupping Therapy on the Blood Levels of Some Heavy Metals: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Heavy metals have been recognized as toxins for centuries. Cupping therapy has been shown to aid in the excretion of accumulated fluids and toxins from the interstitial fluid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wet cupping therapy on blood levels of heavy metals. METHODS: Thirteen healthy male individuals [mean age ± standard deviation, 28.47 ± 6.18] participated in this study. Venous blood samples were collected 5 min before and 30 days after the wet cupping therapy. Five points of the posterior neck and bilateral perispinal areas of the neck and thoracic spine were selected for cupping therapy. The levels of aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The levels of heavy metals (Al, Zn, and Cd) after cupping therapy were significantly lower than the levels before therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that wet cupping therapy has an excretory effect on the kidney. Wet cupping therapy may clear blood from excess heavy metals.

The effect of foot reflexotherapy on the dynamics of cortical oscillatory waves in healthy humans: An EEG study.

BACKGROUND: Foot reflexotherapy is a noninvasive complementary therapy that has gained considerable application in several fields of human endeavor. The therapy is used to relieve the symptoms of several ailments. For instance, foot reflexotherapy when applied to the cortical areas of the left or right foot relieves pain and stress. However, the electrophysiological mechanisms of the effect of foot reflexotherapy on cortical activity are not completely understood. While it has been shown that foot reflexotherapy exert positive effects on brain functions, little is known about the effects of this therapy on cortical activities as recorded with electroencephalogram (EEG) in healthy humans. Cortical activity is widely investigated with EEG, a noninvasive recording that is used to study brain activity in different functional states and conditions. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflexotherapy on EEG rhythms in healthy humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EEG recording before and after reflexological therapy was carried out in seven healthy right-handed males who volunteered for the study. RESULTS: Analysis of EEG data revealed activation offrontal cortex that resulted to significant increase in beta and gamma spectral powers after foot reflexotherapy (p ˂ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Foot reflexotherapy is associated with increase in spectral powers in beta and gamma frequency bands. Therefore cortical beta and gamma waves of the EEG could be used as measures of functional activation of the brain, related to foot reflexotherapy.

Effects of neurofeedback therapy in healthy young subjects.

PURPOSE: Neurofeedback refers to a form of operant conditioning of electrical brain activity, in which desirable brain activity is rewarded and undesirable brain activity is inhibited. The research team aimed to examine the efficacy of neurofeedback therapy on electroencephalogram (EEG) for heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) parameters in a healthy young male population. METHODS: Forty healthy young male subjects aged between 18 to 30 years participated in this study. Neurofeedback application of one session was made with bipolar electrodes placed on T3 and T4 (temporal 3 and 4) regions and with reference electrode placed on PF1 (prefrontal 1). Electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) were assessed during Othmer neurofeedback application of one session to regulate slow wave activity for forty minutes thorough the session. Data assessed before neurofeedback application for 5 minutes and during neurofeedback application of 30 minutes and after neurofeedback application for 5 minutes throughout the session of 40 minutes. Means for each 5 minutes, that is to say, a total 8 data points for each subjects over 40 minutes, were assessed. RESULTS: Galvanic skin resistance increased and heart rate decreased after neurofeedback therapy. Beta activity in EEG increased and alfa activity decreased after neurofeedback therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that neurofeedback can be used to restore sympathovagal imbalances. Also, it may be accepted as a preventive therapy for psychological and neurological problems.

Effects of Long-Term Training Program on Static and Dynamic Balance in Young Subjects.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a long-term training program of 10 weeks on static and dynamic balance parameters in a young healthy population. METHODS: Participants were 35 young healthy female subjects. Balance measurements were done using the Flamingo Balance Test (FBT) for static balance and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) for dynamic balance. RESULTS: Dynamic balance points increased and static balance points decreased after a 10 week training protocol compared with before training, indicating improvement in both dynamic and static balance. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that long term training resulted in an improvement both static and dynamic balance. Training can be suggested for patients with balance problems.

Potential beneficial effects of foot bathing on cardiac rhythm.

PURPOSE: Foot bathing therapy is a simple technique that induces sensations of comfort and relaxation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of foot bathing therapy on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in a healthy population. METHODS: Participants were twenty healthy female subjects (median age=20.67 years, SD=1.04). The recording ECG was applied for 5 minutes before and for 5 minutes after foot bathing therapy of 10 minutes. Subjects rested for 10 minutes without recording ECG in order to stabilize autonomic parameters. The digital signals were then transferred to a laptop and analyzed using LabChart® software (MLS310/7 HRV Module). RESULTS: Almost all HRV parameters increased and heart (pulse) rate and LF/HF ratio decreased after foot bathing therapy compared with before foot bathing therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate for the first time in humans that foot bathing might induce a state of balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and might be helpful to prevent possible cardiac arrhythmias.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on brain oxidative condition after cisplatin exposure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on oxidative events of brain in cisplatin-administrated rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into four experimental groups: 1) control (n=6); 2) cisplatin (8 mg/kg, intraperitoneally one dose, n=6); 3) EGb 761 (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 15 days, n=6); and 4) cisplatin + EGb 761 (n=6). After drug administration, rats were sacrificed and brain tissues were removed. Nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated in brain tissues. RESULTS: Single dose cisplatin administration significantly increased NO and GSH levels, but decreased MDA levels in brain tissue samples. EGb 761 treatment reversed the effects of cisplatin on NO and GSH levels, but did not affect the decreased MDA levels. CONCLUSION: Results of the study indicate that oxidative stress can be an important pathogenetic mechanism of cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity. EGb 761, an standardized extract of G. biloba leaves that has antioxidant properties, may improve the oxidative stress-related neurological side effects of cisplatin.

Right-sided lateralization of skin temperature in healthy young persons.

PURPOSE: Previous studies reported a peripheral immune asymmetry and lateralization of different paired organ cancers. Because of the close relationship of immune system with body temperature, the aim of the study was to test the possible lateralization of skin temperature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred sixty three healthy subjects (325 women, 138 men) with an average age of 23.62 years (SD = 8.65) participated in this study. All skin temperature measurements were done 8:00-9:00 a.m. Skin temperature was assessed for three different points in skin: axillary, thumb and external auditory. RESULTS: Skin temperature was statistically significantly higher on the right side of the body than on the left side, when measured by axillary and thumb temperatures. But there was no statistically significant difference in external auditory temperature. CONCLUSION: The asymmetry of skin temperature may result from the peripheral immune asymmetry or the asymmetric lymph node distribution.

Autonomic Cardiac Activity in Patients with Smoking and Alcohol Addiction by Heart Rate Variability Analysis.

PURPOSE: Smoking and alcohol addictions are common and worldwide. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of these addictions on cardiac rhythm using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. METHODS: Addicts (n=42 men: 22 cigarette; 20 cigarette and alcohol) and age-matched controls (n=34 men) were included in the study. All patients fulfill the criteria for dependence according to DSM-IV-TR. Electrocardiography (ECG) recordings were obtained for a total of 30 minutes. Fagerstrom Nicotine Addiction Test (FNAT) and CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoy, Guilt, Eye opener) was applied to all patients. RESULTS: Almost all HRV parameters were significantly decreased in cigarette and cigarette and alcohol addicts compared with controls (p.

The Potential Beneficial Effects Of Hand And Foot Bathing On Vital Signs In Women With Caesarean Section.

PURPOSE: Hand-foot bathing therapy is a simple technique to induce sensations of comfort and relaxation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hand and foot bathing therapy on vital signs in women following caesarean section. METHODS: Participants were sixty women with caesarean section. They divided to two groups: (1) study group (n=30, median age=26.67 years, SD=2.04); and, (2) control group (n=30, median age=27.75 years, SD=1.09). Vital signs were measured for 5 minutes before and for 30 minutes after the hand and foot bathing therapy. RESULTS: Pain score, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart and breath rates decreased after hand and foot bathing therapy. Differences between before and after therapy were statistically significantly. CONSCLUSIONS: These results indicate that hand and foot bathing therapy might be helpful to restore the vital signs in post-operative patients by decreasing anxiety and psychological stress.

The effect of traditional wet cupping on shoulder pain and neck pain: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Wet cupping therapy (WCT) is a traditional complementary method recommended to decrease the symptoms of a lot of diseases and used in the treatment of pain syndromes. In this pilot study, the possible effects of wet cupping therapy on nonspecific neck and upper shoulder pain were investigated. METHODS: Sixty one eligible volunteer participants with nonspecific neck and upper shoulder pain for at least 3 months were allocated. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) was used to assess pain scores. Pain scores were recorded before and after wet cupping therapy. RESULTS: The mean scores of neck pain in study group were 7.02 (SD = 1.8) before and 3.70 (SD = 2.2) after cupping therapy. The decrease of pain scores between pre- and post-test was statistically significant (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: It can be stated that WCT has potential therapeutic effect in nonspecific neck and upper shoulder pain. Future full-scale randomized controlled trials will be needed to provide firm evidence of the effectiveness of this intervention.

Wet-cupping removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: Wet-cupping therapy is one of the oldest known medical techniques. Although it is widely used in various conditions such as acute\chronic inflammation, infectious diseases, and immune system disorders, its mechanism of action is not fully known. In this study, we investigated the oxidative status as the first step to elucidate possible mechanisms of action of wet cupping. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wet cupping therapy is implemented to 31 healthy volunteers. Venous blood samples and Wet cupping blood samples were taken concurrently. Serum nitricoxide, malondialdehyde levels and activity of superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase were measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Wet cupping blood had higher activity of myeloperoxidase, lower activity of superoxide dismutase, higher levels of malondialdehyde and nitricoxide compared to the venous blood. CONCLUSION: Wet cupping removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress.

Heart rate variability differs between right- and left-handed individuals.

Previous studies reported reduced longevity in left-handers with the suggestion that it may be associated with different heart diseases. Therefore, differences in heart rate variability (HRV), an index of autonomic cardiac activity, were examined for right- and left-handed individuals. 120 healthy young university students (75 women, 45 men; M age = 20.4 yr., SD = 1.5) volunteered. Handedness was assessed with the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory and HRV was measured via electrocardiography. The results suggest that the left-handers' HRV was significantly different from that of right-handers on several parameters. The atypical cerebral organization of left-handers may be related to an imbalanced autonomic system that results in higher frequencies of heart irregularities.

The role of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in carbon monoxide toxicity: an in-depth analysis.

The underlying mechanism of the central nervous system (CNS) injury after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is interlaced with multiple factors including apoptosis, abnormal inflammatory responses, hypoxia, and ischemia/reperfusion-like problems. One of the current hypotheses with regard to the molecular mechanism of CO poisoning is the oxidative injury induced by reactive oxygen species, free radicals, and neuronal nitric oxide. Up to now, the relevant mechanism of this injury remains poorly understood. The weakening of antioxidant systems and the increase of lipid peroxidation in the CNS have been implicated, however. Accordingly, in this review, we will highlight the relationship between oxidative stress and CO poisoning from the perspective of forensic toxicology and molecular toxicology.

Wet cupping therapy restores sympathovagal imbalances in cardiac rhythm.

OBJECTIVES: A recent study showed that cupping had therapeutic effects in rats with myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmias. The current studyaimed to investigate the possible useful effects of cupping therapy on cardiac rhythm in terms of heart rate variability (HRV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy participants were included. Classic wet cupping therapy was applied on five points of the back. Recording electrocardiography (to determine HRV) was applied 1 hour before and 1 hour after cupping therapy. RESULTS: All HRV parameters increased after cupping therapy compared with before cupping therapy in healthy persons. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate for the first time in humans that cupping might be cardioprotective. In this study, cupping therapy restored sympathovagal imbalances by stimulating the peripheral nervous system.

Left-right asymmetry in neck lymph nodes distribution in patients with bilateral laryngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine left-right asymmetry in involved and total neck lymph nodes distribution in patients with bilateral laryngeal cancer in the present study. METHODS: Forty-six patients with bilateral laryngeal cancer was included the study. The oncologic database of our otorhinolaryngology department was used. The right and left lymph node with and without involvement by cancer cells counts were retrieved from pathological reports. RESULTS: The numbers of both involved and total neck lymph nodes were significantly higher on right side than on left side for all neck levels in laryngeal malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest the existence of a left-right asymmetry in neck lymph node distribution and in the neck lymph node distribution involved by laryngeal cancer cells. The stronger cell-mediated immune activity in the left side of humans may be associated with the blocking of the metastatic invasion of cancer cells from laryngeal malignancies in the left body side.

Laterality does not affect the depth perception, but interpupillary distance.

In this study, which investigates the relationship between the levels of stereopsis with eye and hand dominance or interpupillary distance, 120 healthy young volunteers were investigated. Eye dominance was determined by modified Miles technique following a complete eye examination. Handedness was assessed with the Edinburgh handedness inventory. Interpupillary distance was measured with millimetric ruler. Stereoacuity was measured in both contour (Titmus test) and random dot (TNO test) stereograms. The stereopsis scores were evaluated in terms of hand or eye dominance. The correlation between stereopsis score and interpupillary distance was assessed. Main outcome measures were stereopsis scores according to hand and eye dominance. As a result, right- and left-handed individuals showed no differences in terms of stereopsis. No differences were found in stereopsis scores between right- and left-eye dominant people. There was a correlation between interpupillary distance and the depth of stereopsis (r = -0.248, P < 0.05). Contrary to the expectation, the left and right dominant individuals did not differ in levels of stereopsis. Interpupillary distance has a positive effect on stereopsis.

The effects of hypnosis on heart rate variability.

Uslu et al. (2012 ) suggested that hypnotic status can modulate cerebral blood flow. The authors investigated the effects of hypnosis on heart rate variability (HRV). In women, HRV decreased during hypnosis. Posthypnotic values were higher compared to prehypnotic and hypnotic values. Women had highest HRV parameters in the posthypnotic condition. It appears that hypnosis can produce cardiac and cognitive activations. Hypnotherapy may be useful in some cardiac clinical conditions characterized by an autonomic imbalance or some cardiac arrhythmias.

The effects of verbal encouragement and conscientiousness on maximal voluntary contraction of the triceps surae muscle in elite athletes.

We investigated the effect of verbal encouragement on maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) level of the triceps surae muscle group. Our secondary focus was to examine whether the effect of verbal encouragement on MVC level varies as a result of conscientiousness. While the participants performed plantar flexion, MVCs of the triceps surae muscle group were measured using rectified and smoothed surface electromyography (rsEMG) during the absence and presence of verbal encouragement. Participants completed questions from the Five Factor Personality Inventory concerning conscientiousness and were divided into high- and low-conscientiousness groups according to a median split. The sample included 30 female and 53 male elite athletes. In the entire cohort, there was no significant difference in MVCs with and without verbal encouragement. When the sample was partitioned by conscientiousness scores, verbal encouragement led to a significant increase in MVC in the low-conscientiousness group, whereas verbal encouragement led to a non-significant decrease in MVC in the high-conscientiousness group. Percentage change in MVC across experimental conditions was significantly different between the groups, with a 9.72% increase during verbal encouragement of the low-conscientiousness group, and a 2.47% decrease during verbal encouragement of the high-conscientiousness group.

Dose-dependent protective effect of L-carnitine on oxidative stress in the livers of hyperthyroid rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the dose-dependent protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) on thyroid hormone-induced oxidative stress in rat liver tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism plus L-carnitine 100, and hyperthyroidism plus L-carnitine 500. Hyperthyroidism was induced in rats by injecting 250 µg of L-thyroxine/kg body weight/day for twenty consecutive days. The activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in liver homogenates. RESULTS: The liver CAT, GPX and MPO activities were significantly lower in the hyperthyroid rats than in the control group. Treating hyperthyroid rats with both low-dose (100 mg/kg) and high-dose (500 mg/kg) L-carnitine for 10 days resulted in a marked increase in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the liver tissue. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the low-dose L-carnitine application was sufficient to prevent L-thyroxine-induced oxidative stress in rat livers.