Academic literature on the topic 'Eurythmy in literature'

Introduction: The aim of this study was to develop a prototype of an anthroposophic complex intervention (CI) for oncological patients in primary care. Methods: Standardized methods for the development of CIs were used. Qualitative data were collected among professionals (n = 44) working in 3 Dutch anthroposophic primary care centers. The following topics were discussed in interviews and panel discussions (n = 12): treatment phases, treatment dimensions, treatment goals, and content of the indicated treatments and therapies. In a multidisciplinary focus group (n = 23) completeness and comprehensibility of the CI, and integration in daily practice were addressed. Subsequently, the developed CI was tested on face validity (n = 21) and compared with conventional guidelines. Results: Professionals reached consensus about 4 oncological treatment phases, 4 anthroposophic treatment dimensions, and twelve general treatment goals. The following anthroposophic therapies were found to be suited for oncological patients in primary care: medication (eg, mistletoe preparations); nursing (eg, external embrocation); physiotherapy (eg, rhythmic massage); eurythmy therapy; dietetics; art therapy; and counseling. The content of each therapy must be tailored to the individual. Comparison with existing guidelines demonstrated added value and the ability to fit with conventional care. Discussion: Strengths of the developed CI prototype are its focus on primary care, its practical applicability, the use of validated research methods, and the check on face validity in 2 other Dutch anthroposophic primary care centers. Limitations are that no systematic literature review was done and patient experiences were not collected. Conclusions: An applicable prototype of an anthroposophic CI for oncological patients in primary care was developed. To complete the development of this CI, a systematic review of the literature is needed, feasibility should be tested, patient experiences need to be collected, and implementation should be initiated and monitored. Finally, development of a patient decision aid (PtDA) and a decision-making tool (DMT) are recommended.

Background. Whole medicine and health systems like traditional and complementary medicine systems (T&CM) are part of healthcare around the world. One key feature of T&CM is its focus on patient-centered and multimodal care and the integration of intercultural perspectives in a wide range of settings. It may contribute to good health and well being for people as part of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The authentic, rigorous, and fair evaluation of such a medical system, with its inherent complexity and individualization, imposes methodological challenges. Hence, we propose a broad research strategy to test and characterize its possible contribution to health. Methods. To develop a research strategy for a specific T&CM system, Anthroposophic Medicine (AM), applying multimodal integrative healthcare based on a four-level concept of man, we used a three-phase consensus process with experts and key stakeholders, consisting of (1) premeeting methodological literature and AM research review and interviews to supplement or revise items of the research strategy and tailor them to AM research, (2) face-to-face consensus meetings further developing and tailoring the strategy, and (3) postmeeting feedback and review, followed by finalization. Results. Currently, AM covers many fields of medical specialties in varied levels of healthcare settings, such as outpatient and inpatient; primary, secondary, and tertiary care; and health education and pedagogy. It is by definition integrated with conventional medicine in the public healthcare system. It applies specific medicines, nursing techniques, arts therapies, eurythmy therapy, rhythmical massage, counseling, and psychotherapy, and it is provided by medical doctors, nurses, therapists, midwives, and nutritionists. A research strategy authentic to this level of complexity should comprise items with a focus on (I) efficacy and effectiveness, divided into (a) evaluation of the multimodal and multidisciplinary medical system as a whole, or of complex multimodal therapy concept, (b) a reasonable amount of methodologically rigorous, confirmatory randomized controlled trials on exemplary pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies and indications, (c) a wide range of interventions and patient-centered care strategies with less extensive formats like well-conducted small trails, observational studies, and high-quality case reports and series, or subgroup analyses from whole-system studies, or health service research; (II) safety; (III) economics; (IV) evidence synthesis; (V) methodologic issues; (VI) biomedical, physiological, pharmacological, pharmaceutical, psychological, anthropological, and nosological issues as well as innovation and development; (VI) patient perspective and involvement, public needs, and ethics; (VII) educational matters and professionalism; and (IX) disease prevention, health promotion, and public health. Conclusion. The research strategy extends to and complements the prevailing hierarchical system by introducing a broad “evidence house” approach to evaluation, something many health technology assessment boards today support. It may provide transparent and comprehensive insight into potential benefits or risks of AM. It can serve as a framework for an evidence-informed approach to AM for a variety of stakeholders and collaborating networks with the aim of improving global health.

The distribution of the northeastern North Pacific Idoteidae reflects the general eurytopy in the shallow marine environment of the component species. The family is represented by four genera and 20 species in the region between Juan de Fuca Strait, Washington, and Prince William Sound, Alaska. Collections studied from this area contained 16 species of idoteids, of which 3 (Idotea (Pentidotea) recta, Synidotea cornuta, and S. minuta) are new; the new species are fully illustrated and described. The status of nine additional species recorded in the literature from the area is discussed, and four of them are diagnosed and included in the keys. The morphological characters of the four genera were examined in detail and their systematic importance is discussed. All the appendages surveyed showed differences at least at the generic level.

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a threat to ongoing clinical trials necessitating regular face-to-face, in-person meetings, particularly in participants with a high risk of complications. Guidance on how to handle and safely continue such trials is lacking. Chronically ill elderly individuals require—in addition to protection from infection—regular physical exercise and social contact to remain healthy. Solutions on how to handle these conflicting necessities are needed. The ENTAIER-randomised controlled trial was investigating the influence of mindful movements on fall risk, fear of falling, mobility, balance, life quality, and other outcomes. The study population was planned to comprise of 550 chronically ill elderly individuals with a high risk of falling. The movements were regularly performed in coached groups over 6 months. After the trial began, COVID-19 lockdowns stopped all in-person meetings, and it was expected that the limitations of this pandemic would continue for a long term. Therefore, the exercise programme, which involved complex movements and was typically conducted face-to-face in groups, had to be substituted by a telemedicine programme within a short timeframe. The objectives, therefore, were to identify challenges and tasks that could to be resolved and steps that could to be taken to achieve high-quality, efficacy, safety, and enable human encounter and motivation. Methods We proceeded with four steps: 1) A literature review on the quality and feasibility issues of telemedicine in general, and specifically, in exercise training in elderly individuals. 2) Participation in two international telemedicine task forces on integrative medicine, particularly, mind–body medicine. 3) Interviews with study therapists, (for practical purposes, eurythmy therapists and Tai Chi teachers are summarized here as therapists) personnel, and international experts on providing mindful movement exercises and other physiotherapies via live telecommunication technology, and with scientists and patient representatives. 4) Final evaluation by the core trial team and subsequent planning and implementation of changes in the trial organisation. Results Various tasks and challenges were identified: for the technical equipment for therapists and patients; for the ability of therapists and trial participants to adequately manage the technology and telemedicine intervention; the reservations and concerns about the technology among therapists and participants; safety and data protection in using the technology; and study design. The two major options found on how to continue the trial in the COVID-19 situation were a complete switch to telemedicine and a partial switch in the form of risk management implemented into the former design. Conclusions The management of an ongoing clinical trial in a national or international crisis with a minimum of available time and extra financial resources, alongside with two checklists on steps and procedures for trial continuation and telemedicine implementation, may be informative for other researchers or healthcare providers faced with similar challenges and making similar decisions in the current situation or similar future scenarios. Trail registration www.drks.de. DRKS00016609. Registered July 30, 2019.