Predictors of positive opinion about Bach Flower Remedies in adults from three Latin-American countries: An exploratory study.

The current study aimed to determine if positive opinions about BFR interacts with spirituality in adults from three Latin-American countries using a CHAID algorithm. Participants were 703 adults from Cuba (n = 319), Costa Rica (n = 252) and Chile (n = 132). PREDICTORS: demographic data, received information, received treatment, spirituality, dispositional optimism and willingness to use a placebo intervention were measured and analyzed. A supervised classification which included a training phase (n = 423) and a test phase (n = 280) was employed. Received information about BFR, spirituality and education were selected as significant predictors of the positive opinion about BFR (>90% of correct classifications).

Exploring the Effectiveness of External Use of Bach Flower Remedies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: A randomized, pilot, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of a cream based on Bach flower remedies (BFR) on symptoms and signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Forty-three patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome during their "waiting" time for surgical option were randomized into 3 parallel groups: Placebo (n = 14), blinded BFR (n = 16), and nonblinded BFR (n = 13). These groups were treated during 21 days with topical placebo or a cream based on BFR. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed on self-reported symptom severity and pain intensity favorable to BFR groups with large effect sizes (η2partial > 0.40). In addition, all signs observed during the clinical exam showed significant improvements among the groups as well as symptoms of pain, night pain, and tingling, also with large effect sizes (φ > 0.5). Finally, there were significant differences between the blinded and nonblinded BFR groups for signs and pain registered in clinical exam but not in self-reports. CONCLUSION: The proposed BFR cream could be an effective intervention in the management of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, reducing the severity symptoms and providing pain relief.

Esencias florales de Bach: efecto del White Chestnut sobre los pensamientos intrusos indeseados / Bach flower remedies: effect of white chestnut on unwanted intrusive thoughts

El objetivo de este estudio experimental, controlado a doble ciegas, fue evaluar el efecto del White Chestnut sobre los pensamientos intrusos indeseados en una muestra de adultos supuestamente sanos que reportaron presentarlos de forma regular. La muestra quedó conformada por 70 participantes (47 mujeres y 23 hombres), con un rango de edad de 20-60 (36,42 ± 10,52) años, asignados aleatoriamente a 2 grupos: White Chestnut y placebo (n1= n2= 35). Para la evaluación de los cambios se utilizó el White Bear Suppression Inventory. Se observaron diferencias significativas intergrupos para la calificación global de la prueba [t (68)= -2,16, p< 0,05 y d= 0,51], con un predominio del factor que mide los pensamientos intrusos [t (68)= -2,84, p< 0,01 y d= 0,67]. Los resultados sugieren que el White Chestnut puede ser un efectivo recurso para la reducción de los pensamientos intrusos indeseados y que su acción es diferenciable del placebo

A controlled double-blind experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effect of white chestnut on unwanted intrusive thoughts in a sample of seemingly healthy adults who reported having these thoughts regularly. The sample was composed of 70 participants (47 women and 23 men) aged 20-60 (36.42 ±10.52), randomly assigned to one of two groups: white chestnut and placebo (n1=n2=35). The White Bear Suppression Inventory was used for change evaluation. Significant differences were found between the two groups in the global test score [t (68)= -2.16, p<0.05 and d= 0.51], with a predominance of the factor measuring intrusive thoughts [t (68)= -2.84, p< 0.01 and d= 0.67]. Results suggest that white chestnut may be an effective resource for reducing unwanted intrusive thoughts, its effect being clearly distinguishable from that of the placebo