HIV
Research
Alternative
& Complementary Therapies
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Meditation,
Hypnosis and biofeedback Relaxation & HIV
Meditation,
hypnosis and biofeedback-assisted relaxation exercises can have demonstrable beneficial
effects for men with the HIV virus according to a recent research study.
Ten HIV-positive men were randomly assigned to one of two
groups - a treatment group involving twenty bi-weekly sessions of progressive relaxation,
electromyograph biofeedback relaxation training, meditation and hypnosis. None of the
subjects had any adverse symptoms but their T-cell counts were all below 400.
The results of the study revealed that the relaxation
training group showed significant improvements in anxiety, mood, self-esteem and their
T-cell counts improved as well. All of the improvement were found to be maintained after a
30 day period.
It is well known that stress is known to adversely affect
the immune system and the results of this study indicate that stress management programmes
including meditation, hypnosis and biofeedback-assisted relaxation exercises can be
particularly beneficial for patients who are HIV-positive and should be considered as an
appropriate inclusion in their treatment programme.
Taylor DN. Effects of a behavioural stress-management
program on anxiety, mood, self-esteem, and T-cell count in HIV positive men. Psychol Rep.
76(2): 451-7, April 1995.
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Oxygen
therapy & HIV
Researchers
at the department of medicine and Microbiology/Immunology, Health Science
Centre New York, USA(4) used a device to deliver a constant source of
given concentrations of ozone to fluids containing the Human
Immuno-deficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).
Ozone, the triatomic allotrope of oxygen, is an
extremely potent oxidant that has been shown to possess broad spectrum
antimicrobial activity It has been widely used in sewage treatment, water
purification and in medicine; but, in particular, ozone has been shown to
be effective against a number of enveloped and non-enveloped viral
species.
The researchers found that the antiviral effects
of ozone include viral particle disruption, reverse transcriptase
inactivation and/or an inhibition of the ability of the virus to bind its
receptor on target cells. They concluded that ‘Ozone treatment offers
promise as a means to inactivate human retroviruses in human body fluids
and blood product preparations’.
Wells K.H.,Latino J,
Gavalchin and Poiesz. Inactivation of Human Immunodeficiency virus type 1
by ozone in vitro. Blood. 78 Oct 1, 1991 pp1882-1890
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Homeopathy
& HIV
This study was aimed to evaluate the immuno-modulator
role of homeopathic remedies in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
infection.
A randomised double blind clinical trial
was conducted to compare the effect of homeopathic remedies with
placebo, on CD4+ve T-lymphocytes in HIV infected individuals,
conforming to Centres for Disease Control (CDC) stage II & III.
100 HIV+ve individuals between 18-50 y (71% males) were included in
the study. 50 cases conformed to CDC stage II--Asymptomatic HIV
infection, and 50 cases to CDC stage III--Persistent Generalised
Lymphadenopathy (PGL). Cases were stratified according to their
clinical status and CD4+ve lymphocyte counts. The randomisation
charts were prepared much before the start of the trial by randomly
assigning placebo and verum codes to registration numbers from 1 to
50. A single individualised homeopathic remedy was prescribed in
each case and was followed up at intervals of 15 d to one month. A
six months study was performed for each registered case. Assessment
of progress was made by evaluation of CD+ve lymphocyte counts, which
was the prospectively-defined main outcome measure of the study; the
results were compared with the base line immune status.
The results revealed that, in
PGL, a
statistically significant difference was observed in CD+ve
T-lymphocyte counts between pre and post trial levels in verum group
(P < 0.01). In the placebo group a similar comparison yielded
non-significant results. (P = 0.91). Analysis of change in the pre
and post trial counts of CD4+ve cells between groups was also
statistically significant (P = 0.04). In asymptomatic HIV infection,
differences in absolute CD4+ve lymphocyte counts between pre and
post trial levels were not significant. Analysis of changes in pre
and post trial CD4 levels of placebo and verum groups for combined
strata of asymptomatic and PGL groups was also not significant.
The report concluded that the data suggests
a possible role of homeopathic treatment in HIV infection in
symptomatic phase, as evidenced by a statistically significant
elevation of base line immune status in persistent generalised
lymphadenopathy.
Br Homeopath J 1999
Apr;88(2):49-57 Rastogi DP, Singh VP, Singh V, Dey SK, Rao K Central
Council for Research in Homoeopathy, JNBCHA, Janakpuri, New Delhi,
India.
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Chinese
herb therapy & HIV
CONTEXT:
Alternative medicine or complementary remedies that have not been
scientifically tested are nonetheless widely used to treat chronic
illnesses, particularly if curative options are limited.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of Chinese medicinal herbs in
reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life of HIV-infected
persons.
DESIGN: Prospective, placebo-controlled double-blind study.
SETTING: University-based HIV outpatient clinic.
PATIENTS: 68 HIV-infected adults with CD4 cell counts <0.5 x
10(9)/L.
INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to receive four daily doses
of seven pills containing a standardized preparation of 35 Chinese
herbs or placebo for 6 months.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptoms, HIV disease progression, HIV-1 RNA
plasma viral loads, CD4 and CD8 cell counts, and scores on standard
questionnaires for quality of life, depression, anxiety, and coping.
RESULTS: Intervention and placebo groups were equivalent at baseline
regarding, respectively, previous antiretroviral therapy (74% versus
79%), median CD4 cell counts (0.20 x 10(9)/L versus 0.25 x 10(9)/L),
and median HIV-1 plasma viral loads (35,612 copies/ml versus 52,027
copies/ml). At enrollment, none of the study subjects was seriously
ill or depressed, and average coping and quality of life scores were
in the normal range. In all, 53 (78%) participants completed the
study. Patients taking Chinese herbs reported significantly more
gastrointestinal disturbances (79% versus 38%; p = .003) than those
receiving placebo. No therapy-related toxicities were observed. At
completion of the study, no significant differences between the
intervention and placebo groups were
found regarding plasma viral loads, CD4 cell counts, symptoms, and
psychometric parameters. HIV-1 RNA level was unchanged at study end.
Among participants who were not on concomitant antiretroviral therapy,
median CD4 cell counts declined by 0.05 x 10(9)/L in both the
intervention and placebo groups.
CONCLUSIONS: This standardized formulation of Chinese herbs for
HIV-infected individuals did not improve quality of life, clinical
manifestations, plasma virus loads, or CD4 cell counts. The data
suggest that this formulation of Chinese herbs is not effective when
administered in a Western medicine setting.
J Acquir Immune Defic
Syndr 1999 Sep 1;22(1):56-64, Weber R, Christen L, Loy M, Schaller S,
Christen S, Joyce CR, Ledermann U,, Ledergerber B, Cone R, Luthy R,
Cohen MR, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital,
Zurich, Switzerland. infweb@usz.unizh.ch
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