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This study investigates changes in autonomic nervous function through Qi-training. The power spectrum of heart rate variability (HRV) was examined in 20 sedentary healthy subjects and 20 Qi-trainees. It was found that Qi-training in healthy young subjects during controlled respiration increases the high frequency (HF) power and decreases the low frequency / high frequency (LF/HF) power ratio of HRV. These results support the hypothesis that Qi-training increases cardiac parasympathetic tone. In addition, Qi-trainees were found to have higher parasympathetic heart modulation compared with their age-matched, sedentary counterparts. This augmented HRV in Qi-trainees provides further support for long-term Qi-training as a possible non-pharmacological cardio-protective maneuver. In conclusion, Qi-training may stabilize the autonomic nervous system by modulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Human prostate cancer PC3 cells were treated in vitro with psychosomatic power emitted by a Buddhist-Zen Master. A significant decrease of growth rate was observed as determined by MTT assay after 48 hours. These cells also had two- to three-fold higher levels of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAcP) activity, a prostate tissue-specific differentiation antigen. In addition, the treated cells formed fewer and smaller colonies in soft agar as compared with control cells, which displayed anchorage-independent growth. These observations provide insight into the suppressive effects of healing power through the practice of Buddhist-Zen meditation on tumor progression. The emitted bioenergy may be suggested as an alternative and feasible approach for cancer research and patient treatment.

According to the experimental results and practitioners' subjective experience, we report some hypotheses that may account for meditative phenomena during the practice of Zen-Buddhism. Orthodox Zen-Buddhist practitioners, aiming to prove the most original true-self, discover and uncover the inner energy or light on the way towards their goal. Perception of the inner light can be comprehended as resonance. Uncovering the inner energy optimizes physiological and mental health. In the meditation experiment, a significant correlation was observed between perception of the inner light and electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha blockage. We further examined this phenomenon by recording the EEG from subjects during a blessing that the subjects did not know being given. During the blessing period, significant alpha blocking was observed in experimental subjects who had been practicing meditation for years in preparation for being in resonance with the inner light. This report provides a new insight into the debate that meditation benefits our health.

Energy medicine is becoming more frequently used in supporting patients to attain optimal health. The concept of energy medicine as a holistic practice is introduced and its relationship to physical medicine is discussed. In addition, descriptions of energy systems and modalities that are commonly used are also offered.

Diabetes rates have doubled in China over the past decade. However, as conventional medicine offers neither a sound explanation nor an effective cure, patients with diabetes increasingly seek complementary and alternative therapies. It was reported that the traditional Chinese medical approach, Qigong, might produce therapeutic benefits with minimal side-effects in this condition. The Qigong Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the library databases of Chinese institutions from 1978 to middle of 2008 on open trials, laboratory studies, and controlled clinical studies were reviewed. Over 35 studies were identified and reviewed. Qigong therapy for diabetic patients included self-practice, group qi-field therapy, external qi therapy, and Qigong in combination with other therapies. Only 2 randomized controlled trials were found; both evaluate Qigong as an adjuvant to conventional therapy. All studies reported some therapeutic effect or improvement. Some reported significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose. Others reported complete cures, which were unlikely to be the result of placebo effect as objective outcome measures were used. Qigong therapy may be an important complement to conventional medicine in treating diabetes, but the quality of studies needs to be improved. These preliminary data are promising and support the need for further randomized controlled trials.

Migraine headaches, a common chronic medical problem, require prophylactic treatment when they are frequent and severe. This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of Kiko, a Japanese practice of Qigong that uses repetitive coordinated breathing and movement as a prophylactic treatment of migraine headaches. This pilot study, a single arm, non-randomized 4-month trial, investigated whether 3 months of Kiko training would reduce the severity and/or frequency of migraine and/or MIDAS scores. The baseline migraine data were collected from participants in the first month and then participants were taught Kiko exercises in 3 monthly sessions. Participants practiced at home and had the opportunity to utilize a Kiko DVD. The participants were instructed by Washin-Ryu style martial arts Master, Hidy Ochiai. Subjects completed monthly diaries that recorded the frequency and severity of their migraines, as well as the frequency and duration of their home Kiko practice. Six of the original 13 subjects completed the trial. All the individuals who completed the study had measurable improvement in their migraines. All participants reported a positive experience in learning the technique, and there were no reported adverse effects. Although the results of this study need to be confirmed in a larger clinical trial with adequate controls for placebo effects, these preliminary results are consistent with other trials that have documented the potential benefits of mind-body practices in controlling symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic medical illness.

Research to Test GM Mouse Herpes Virus.

National Bio-Chip Research Center To be Constructed in Shanghai.

Meditation and Vegetarian Diet Can Combat Parkinson’s.

Fujitsu Develops Contact-Free ID System.

Korea Develops World’s Smallest Endoscope.

Red Color in Leaves Has Health Benefits.

Meditation is often used as an adjunct to medical therapies by people who have cancer. There has long been a debate in both the medical and lay communities about the therapeutic use of meditation, and whether its use has any impact on quality of life, pain relief and long-term survival in people who have cancer. This chapter examines, in detail, the scientific research investigating the effects of meditation in people who have cancer. Also reported are the experiences of health practitioners and cancer survivors who use meditation as part of cancer therapy. In conclusion, the chapter makes recommendations for future research strategies, based on the current available evidence.

For thousands of years, a unique system of health promotion using natural means, viz. food, life style and exercises, has developed, matured and has been widely practised in China and India. “Natural Healing” might not be the best term to describe this system of health promotion but it is difficult to create more appropriate terminologies. One direct translation of this system of health promotion could be the maintenance or promotion of wellness. Natural Healing for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) comprises the three components of physical, physiological and psychosocial harmony which are all interlinked. The ancient healers have worked out varieties of means to help bolstering the state of harmony.

Yoga is an ancient Indian way of life which includes specific practices, postures, voluntarily regulated breathing, meditation and philosophical principles. In India research on the effects of yoga began in the 1920s and continues today. While studies on the physiological effects of different practices are the most numerous (but have not been described here as they do not have direct applications), there is also research on the applications of yoga. The most common application is as a form of add-on therapy for a wide range of disorders. These studies have attempted to assess whether yoga is useful or not, and in some cases possible mechanisms have also been studied. Other applications (for example in adaptation to unusually stressful environments) and the use of yoga for stress management are also mentioned. This review has attempted to cover a wide range of applications of yoga practice in different parts of the country. Though there is a possibility that some studies may have been omitted the review shows that the applications of yoga in health are many and varied and are being actively explored.

About 5000 years, the major traditional medicines were created: Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and Unani, in China, India and the Arab region, respectively.

In order to realize the medical dreams of personalized and preventive medicine, and also to solve problems such as economical and social educational matters, modern Western medicine is integrated with traditional medicine (TM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) — collectively termed as integrative medicine. In this chapter, the key elements such as TM, CAM and their models and problems will be discussed.

Meditation is a family of practices that cultivate specific psychological states or mental capacities for heightened self-awareness and insight. Neuroscientists have found that regular and sustained meditation has significant structural and functional effects on the brain. Structural and functional neuroimaging have linked meditation to improved regulation of the default network of attention, controlled focus, and sustained attention. Studies have also linked meditation practice with the cultivation of positive emotion. In part because of the evidence that it causes neurobiological changes, support is growing for research on the potential use of meditation for therapies promoting cognitive and affective processing, which should ultimately lift physiological and psychological well-being. Thus far, research outcomes are largely positive and only rarely accompanied by adverse side effects, suggesting that meditation is a promising therapy — and may even help prevent some psychopathologies. Future research should continue to examine the potential healing and restorative effects of meditation.