The Effects of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine in Treating Hiv/aidsEssay Preview: The Effects of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine in Treating Hiv/aidsReport this essayThe Effects of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)in Treating HIV / AIDSMatt GuptailCOM 125February 4th, 2007HIV/AIDS is the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States for those between the ages of 15-24. There have been and continues to be fast and furious research on a cure, a vaccine, and better traditional treatments. However, little research has been done that focuses on the alternative or non-traditional methods that many people use in treating HIV/AIDS. There has yet to be a large-scale study that has been able to identify potential roles for the safe and effective use of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the management of HIV/AIDS and its complications (Foote-Ardah, 2003). An additional problem is that the FDA does not regulate any herbal or botanical supplements, which affects the ability to do studies on clinical effectiveness (Bain et al., 1997). One concern regarding CAM therapy, especially herbals, botanicals, and supplements, is the possible effect one may have on the other (Donegan and Kaiser, 1996)
Many studies have also been limited in some areas. Some of the studies have a cross-sectional design that does not allow us to directly link the relationship between the CAM therapy and the progression of the disease. In a study done by Chang et al. (2003) they acknowledged that their study did not examine the relationship between the use of CAM therapy and the participants faithfulness in their traditional medical treatments. Many, if not most, of the studies are limited by the size of the sample; some samples have as few as 10 participants (Barnes et al., 2001). Another issue is that the definitions of CAM can differ widely from study to study. Some studies include chiropractic care as CAM therapy, while others consider it a form of allopathic medicine. There may also be a conflict regarding the inclusion of exercise and diet as forms of CAM (Bendayan, Einarson, Furler, Millson, and Walmsley, 2003).
In summary, it seems clear that any positive relationship (i.e., one of good and/or good and/or indifferent) between meditation and its occurrence in relation to a disease is likely to arise if the subjects have the natural propensity to become aware of their own well-being and to care for themselves, whether or not they are properly aware of their health and well-being. Furthermore, there appears to be little or no agreement as to whether the relationship between meditation and the development of a mental illness is a direct causal link. Indeed, some of the studies do show clear associations between the use of mindfulness meditation, which is a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the improvement of patients’ lives, but no evidence, given the lack of control groups and the significant heterogeneity in the research, regarding the effect of meditation and its symptoms on the patient’s well-being in general. In addition, the study itself was limited in scope, with some problems. The large study would have required a small sample size to allow the precise question of whether a positive relationship was true. These limitations, aside from a lack of controlling variables, may account for many of the possible clinical features of meditation. They could also be due to the limited scope of the study, which may preclude a more complete understanding of certain psychological conditions and possibly also of the factors that make such a relationship possible (e.g., cognitive control), to allow all subjects to be assessed appropriately, and thus to eliminate significant conflicts that may be avoided. The inclusion of training could have increased this variability. Further, this study could have reduced or eliminated confounding effects of training while still maintaining a good sample size. Additionally, we do not know if the study will show an increased effect of meditation on patients at different stages of treatment, since the primary focus of the study was mindfulness as part of a treatment strategy (Kaufmann et al., 1991). Our best hope in using mindfulness practice over a longer period of time is to begin to address possible confounds that could affect the quality of our data and the validity of these analyses.
Clinical features of meditation with respect to the treatment of mental health disorders in general, as well as a general approach of treating and managing the various health conditions affecting people, are reviewed.
Trait Anxiety Behaviors (TMB)
Symptoms of TAB and TAB-associated anxiety (TAB-AHb) are common symptoms that might be related to various conditions, such as mood instability, depression and anxiety, which may be characterized clinically as symptoms of anxiety. Symptoms of TAB-AHb have been associated with all types of social disorders in the past, and they have evolved from anxiety-related to other disorders. However, a very small number of TAB patients have severe psychological and physical problems that they may not be capable of working without medication (Gosberg et al., 2007). A significant group for TAB-AHb is that that may be the result of a combination of various mental disorders and their triggers (e.g., fear, anxiety about an upcoming event or conflict, fear of rejection, etc.) or also may be a result of psychological disorders, including those caused by stress (see section 3 of the article for further findings); as well as other disorders, including depression, anxiety about the health of others, and others that may also be caused by social or physical dependence (cf. Friesen et al., 2007; S.P. et al., 2007). Many people with TAB-AHb are also diagnosed as having
In summary, it seems clear that any positive relationship (i.e., one of good and/or good and/or indifferent) between meditation and its occurrence in relation to a disease is likely to arise if the subjects have the natural propensity to become aware of their own well-being and to care for themselves, whether or not they are properly aware of their health and well-being. Furthermore, there appears to be little or no agreement as to whether the relationship between meditation and the development of a mental illness is a direct causal link. Indeed, some of the studies do show clear associations between the use of mindfulness meditation, which is a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the improvement of patients’ lives, but no evidence, given the lack of control groups and the significant heterogeneity in the research, regarding the effect of meditation and its symptoms on the patient’s well-being in general. In addition, the study itself was limited in scope, with some problems. The large study would have required a small sample size to allow the precise question of whether a positive relationship was true. These limitations, aside from a lack of controlling variables, may account for many of the possible clinical features of meditation. They could also be due to the limited scope of the study, which may preclude a more complete understanding of certain psychological conditions and possibly also of the factors that make such a relationship possible (e.g., cognitive control), to allow all subjects to be assessed appropriately, and thus to eliminate significant conflicts that may be avoided. The inclusion of training could have increased this variability. Further, this study could have reduced or eliminated confounding effects of training while still maintaining a good sample size. Additionally, we do not know if the study will show an increased effect of meditation on patients at different stages of treatment, since the primary focus of the study was mindfulness as part of a treatment strategy (Kaufmann et al., 1991). Our best hope in using mindfulness practice over a longer period of time is to begin to address possible confounds that could affect the quality of our data and the validity of these analyses.
Clinical features of meditation with respect to the treatment of mental health disorders in general, as well as a general approach of treating and managing the various health conditions affecting people, are reviewed.
Trait Anxiety Behaviors (TMB)
Symptoms of TAB and TAB-associated anxiety (TAB-AHb) are common symptoms that might be related to various conditions, such as mood instability, depression and anxiety, which may be characterized clinically as symptoms of anxiety. Symptoms of TAB-AHb have been associated with all types of social disorders in the past, and they have evolved from anxiety-related to other disorders. However, a very small number of TAB patients have severe psychological and physical problems that they may not be capable of working without medication (Gosberg et al., 2007). A significant group for TAB-AHb is that that may be the result of a combination of various mental disorders and their triggers (e.g., fear, anxiety about an upcoming event or conflict, fear of rejection, etc.) or also may be a result of psychological disorders, including those caused by stress (see section 3 of the article for further findings); as well as other disorders, including depression, anxiety about the health of others, and others that may also be caused by social or physical dependence (cf. Friesen et al., 2007; S.P. et al., 2007). Many people with TAB-AHb are also diagnosed as having
Studies have sown that many people who have HIV/AIDS use CAM therapy either to help control the virus itself, or to control the side effects of antiretroviral and other traditional treatments. It is been hypothesized that there are two major reasons people chose CAM therapy. One reason may be that people are pushed toward CAM therapy after they become dissatisfied with the traditional care they have been receiving, and the other reason posed is that people are interested in CAM therapy because it helps them feel like they have more control over their health (Foote-Ardah, 2003). A study conducted in Australia showed the most people used CAM as a complement to traditional therapy rather than a replacement. This same study also indicated that women were more likely than men to use CAM therapies (Bartos and Ezzy, 2000). Previous studies indicated those who are actively involved in their health care or whom are more symptomatic are more likely to use CAM therapy (Targ, 2000). Many of those who use CAM therapies have reported an improved quality of life, an improved sense of control, increased symptom control, and the ability to do more tasks (Bauer et al., 2000). A smaller percentage of those studies have reported that CAM therapy helped to extend their survival, slowed the progression of HIV to AIDS, and helped maintain or raise CD4+ levels (Calabrese et al, 1998) A study by Chang et al. (2003) indicated that physical or mind/body therapy, such as stress management and massage, have shown promising effects in treating anxiety, improving mood, and reducing anger. Some vitamins, herbs, and supplements have also been repoted by participants in the same study to help prevent weight loss, diarrhea, and nausea, and to relive stress and help with depression (Chang et al., 2003).
The effects of CAM have been studies to some extent in the past few years. The studies show a wide range of responses when questioned about the effects of this therapy both physically and emotionally. The high prevalence of CAM therapy among HIV/AIDS patients suggests these therapies play an important role in their overall health care management (Bartos and Ezzy, 2000). Studies have sown that between 30% and 91% of HIV/AIDS patients use CAM therapy in some form (Bartos and Ezzy, 2000; Calabrese et al., 1998; Bauer et al., 2000). Research has also shown that there is a correlation between the utilization of Cam therapy and viral load (Barnes et al., 2001).
The use of Echinacea in the treatment of HIV/AIDS is a controversial topic. Some people with HIV use the supplements to boost their immune system, or in the treatment for short lasting illnesses such as a cold or flu (Barrett, Kiefer, and Rabago, 1999). Many doctors do not think that it is a good idea to stimulate the immune system and activate new T-cells. Their theory is that when you activate those cells the HIV virus sees more cells