Category: Other

Patients having surgery, with both local and general anaesthesia, may benefit from music being played in the operating room. One randomised trial, of 372 patients having elective surgery, revealed that music with melodies that mimicked the resting heart rate produced a calming effect. This was evident before, during and after surgery. Music proved more effective…

Launched in the 1970s by US giants like Tony Robbins and Louise Hay, and fed by videos ranging from The Secret to What the Bleep Do We Know, the self-help movement has become a booming industry. Sarah Alexander, author of ‘Spiritual intelligence in Leadership: From Manager to Leader in Your Own Life’ is concerned that…

A recent study by the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has found that aerobic exercise reduces levels of disability, anxiety, depression and pain in those with chronic lower back pain. “The current meta-analysis provides reliable evidence that aerobic exercise could effectively diminish pain intensity and improve the physical and psychologic functioning of chronic…

World Asthma Day will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 5 May 2015. This annual event is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. GINA are using a sub-theme called, “It’s Time to Control Asthma,” and are wanting people and organisations to complete the following sentence “It’s Time…

Creative journaling expert, Ann Beazer, was invited to the Chichester Local Support Group as a guest speaker and this therapeutic activity has been featured on the Chichester Copywriter. There are a number of reasons why Creative Journalling is a useful tool for writers and others alike. It helps us to acknowledge and value our thoughts and experiences.…

A legally approved HIV self-test kit has gone on sale in England, Scotland and Wales, offering results in just 15 minutes. While results are said to be 99.7% accurate (if used properly and three months after possible exposure), anyone with a positive result is advised to contact their local sexual health clinic or healthcare professional…

74% of people with food allergies and food intolerances surveyed still find it hard to eat out and nearly half are missing meals because of it. Doves Farm has carried out a survey amongst its consumer base to find out how food intolerances and allergies have affected their lives. In summary the survey responses revealed…

A randomised controlled trial has been published in The Lancet, supporting the use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the treatment of depression. Its findings report “enduring positive outcomes in terms of relapse or recurrence, residual depressive symptoms, and quality of life.” Access the full article For an introduction to mindfulness, read our International Therapist article, ‘Changing your mind’,…

The World Health Organisation is focussing on food safety for World Health Day 2015. Unsafe food is linked to the deaths of an estimated 2 million people annually – including many children. Food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances is responsible for more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. New threats…