National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
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Selected Research Results by Date

Research spotlights of selected studies are shown below. For a full list of published NCCIH Research to-date, see PubMed.

Spotlights for 2013

A 3d computer generated illustration of the human heart.
Chelation Shows Benefit in Diabetic Patients After Heart Attack, But Findings Do Not Support Its Routine Use
New secondary analyses of data from the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) suggest that the EDTA-based chelation treatments produced a marked reduction in cardiovascular events and death in patients with diabete (November 2013)
Yoga students practicing meditation
Experienced Practitioners Reap Genetic Changes After a Day of Mindfulness Meditation
Results of a recent study cofunded by NCCAM suggest that one day of intense mindfulness by experienced meditators led to biological changes including expression of certain genes that play roles in inflammation and pai (November 2013)
A practitioner examines a patients lower back.
Spinal Manipulation’s Effects May Go Beyond Those of Placebo or Expectation, Study Finds
A recent clinical trial has added to knowledge about what goes on in the body and brain when people with chronic low-back pain receive spinal manipulation (also known as spinal manipulative therapy). (October 2013)
Patient holding back in pain.
Determining the Optimal Number of Spinal Manipulation Sessions for Chronic Low-Back Pain
Findings from the largest and most rigorous, randomized dose-response study of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for chronic low-back pain suggest that 12 sessions (SMT) may be the best “dose” for people w (October 2013)
A woman practices a meditative yoga pose.
Mind and Body Approaches for Smoking Cessation: A Review
Although the number of studies involving mind and body research for smoking cessation is small, results of a recent review suggest that yoga and meditation-based therapies may help people quit the habit. (September 2013)
Gell Pills
Study in Mice Adds to Knowledge About Fish Oil Components and Immunity
Results of a recent study in mice suggest that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can target immune cells—specifically B cells, a type of white blood cell—and enhance immunity. (August 2013)
A doctor holds out a human model on which acupuncture points are marked.
Review of Research Shows, Overall, Acupuncture Did Not Increase Pregnancy Rates With IVF
An analysis of research conducted on acupuncture as an adjuvant (booster) treatment to in vitro fertilization (IVF) found that, overall, acupuncture did not increase pregnancy rates. (July 2013)
People participating in a yoga class.
Weekly and Twice-Weekly Yoga Classes Offer Similar Low-Back Pain Relief in Low-Income Minority Populations
Results of an NCCAM-funded study found that once-weekly yoga classes relieved pain, improved function, and reduced the need for pain medication just as well as twice-weekly classes in minority and low-income populatio (July 2013)
An 3D image model of the brain.
NCCIH Review Analyzes Evidence on Brain Effects from Chronic Pain and Mind and Body Approaches
Chronic pain is a widespread health problem. A new review by NCCAM researchers in Nature Reviews Neuroscience looks at recent research on pain and the brain. (May 2013)
Grapefruit
Creating a Potential New Drug-Delivery System From Grapefruit Juice
Grapefruit “nanovectors” may be a step toward new drug-delivery systems. (May 2013)
An image of the brain.
Yoga Practice May Improve Pain Tolerance and Alter Brain Anatomy
Regular and long-term practice of yoga may improve pain tolerance, according to a recent study. (May 2013)
Milk Thistle
Delving Deeper into the Mysteries of Natural Product Chemistry
Results of a recent study suggest that a new technique to distinguish between nearly identical compounds in the milk thistle plant may allow researchers to study highly complex natural products more powerfully and eff (March 2013)
Woman sneezing
Study Finds Association Between Biological Marker and Susceptibility to the Common Cold
Preliminary study results suggest that a biomarker may be associated with the ability of young and middle-aged people to fight off a cold caused by a particular rhinovirus. (February 2013)
A woman practices yoga while wearing electronic position monitors.
Study Quantifies Physical Demands of Yoga in Seniors
A recent NCCAM-funded study measured the physical demands associated with seven commonly practiced yoga poses in older adults. (January 2013)