Massage therapy improves behavior in neonates born to HIV-positive mothers

How effective are complementary therapies for HIV and AIDs?--A systematic review

Complementary treatments are often used by HIV-infected individuals. Yet little is known about their effectiveness. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to summarize the published evidence for or against the effectiveness of complementary therapies in HIV-positive people. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to locate all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of complementary therapies. Data were extracted in a standardized fashion and evaluated critically. Fourteen studies met our pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria; 2 of herbal treatments, 5 of vitamins and other supplements, 5 of stress management, one of massage therapy, and one of acupuncture. They fall into 2 broad categories of 'cure' and 'care'. While the former category yields few encouraging results, the latter group of studies is more promising. In particular, stress management may prove to be an effective way to increase the quality of life. It is concluded that few rigorous trials of complementary treatments for HIV exist. The domain of complementary medicine may lie in the care for HIV-infected individuals with a view of increasing their quality of life. This notion requires further rigorous investigation.

Neonatal behavioral profile of the offspring of women who continued to exercise regularly throughout pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that continuing regular exercise throughout pregnancy alters early neonatal behavior.

STUDY DESIGN

The offspring of 34 women who exercised were compared with those of 31 demographically similar control subjects. All women had normal antenatal courses. Behavior was assessed at 5 days after birth with the Brazelton Scales.

RESULTS

The offspring of the exercising women performed better in 2 of the 6 behavioral constellations when examined at 5 days after birth. The scores reflecting their ability to orient to environmental stimuli were (mean +/- SEM) 7.6 +/- 0.1 and 6.5 +/- 0. 3, respectively, and the scores reflecting their ability to regulate their state or quiet themselves after sound and light stimuli were 6. 6 +/- 0.2 and 4.9 +/- 0.3, respectively. The scores reflecting habituation (7.9 +/- 0.2 and 8.0 +/- 0.1, respectively), motor organization (5.7 +/- 0.1 and 5.5 +/- 0.1, respectively), autonomic stability (5.9 +/- 0.2 and 5.5 +/- 0.3, respectively), and behavioral state range (4.1 +/- 0.2 and 4.5 +/- 0.3, respectively) were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that the neonates born of exercising mothers have a different neurobehavioral profile as early as the fifth day after birth.