ARTICLE IN PRESS

Poster presentationsS56

an expertise-based integrative medical approach, AM offers newavenues to treat asthma patients that are tailored better to theindividual patient’s needs.

Conclusions:

� Phenomenological systems biology can substantiate the

results of complementary treatment of atopic asthma inintegrative medicine.

� Systems biology should be a part of educational programs

in medical schools and at universities.

� Complementary medicine, including AM, offers thera-

peutic modalities that can reduce the need for ICT.

10.1016/j.eujim.2008.08.108

Cardiorespiratory interactions during and after

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

poetry recitation

D. von Bonin, U. Wolf

Universitat Bern, KIKOM, Bern, Switzerland

Aims: Objective of the two studies presented was toassess cardiorespiratory interactions (direct and afteref-fects) during guided recitation of hexameter verse, as usedin Anthroposophic Therapeutic Speech ATS. We hypothesizedthat recitation of old Greek poetry coordinates the oscilla-tions of heart rate and respiration.

Methods: Twenty healthy subjects performed with anexperienced therapist three different exercises: hexameterrecitation, controlled breathing and spontaneous breathingfollowing the same protocol. The pace of walking inexercises was set by an electric metronome. During eachsession, an ECG and the nasal/oral airflow were recordedsimultaneously. Cardiorespiratory sychronisation was quan-tified by the index g, which has been adopted from theanalysis of weakly coupled chaotic oscillators.

To assess aftereffects, seven subjects were tested withweekly repetitions of the above protocol. Hexameterrecitation was performed for 6 weeks and spontaneousbreathing for 3 weeks.

Results: Direct effects: All exercises were associated withan increase in the heart rate, whereas the heart rate alwaysdecreased after exercise as compared to baseline. Cardior-espiratory synchronisation was high after hexameter recita-tion (g ¼ 0.70), less after controlled breathing (g ¼ 0.57) anddesynchronized after spontaneous breathing (g ¼ 0.15).

Aftereffects: ATS increased regular patterns in heart ratevariations, which persisted at least for 15min after exercise.In comparison to spectral parameters of heart ratevariability, cardiorespiratory phase-locking patterns dis-closed the effects of rhythmic speech exercises best andwere more prominent after ATS.

Conclusions: Therapeutic recitation of hexameter versegenerates a strong cardiorespiratory synchronisation duringexercise. An increase in regular heart rate variation patternsis observed for at least 15min after exercise. ATS thuspositively affects autonomic regulation and enhances

synchronisation and a temporal order of cardiorespiratoryfunctions; the effects of this may be beneficial in thetreatment of hypertension and stress-related conditions.

10.1016/j.eujim.2008.08.109

and quality of life in patients with chronic venousinsufficiency

Effectiveness of cold mud packs on venous disorders

P.W. Gundlinga,b, K. Redlichb, K. Jorkb

aEuropa Fachhochschule Fresenius, Naturheilkundeund komplemenare Medizin, Idstein, GermanybInstitut fur Allgemeinmedizin, Johann WolfgangGoethe Universitat, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Background: Venous diseases are very common in Ger-many and therefore of high socio-medical relevance. About10 million people in Germany suffer from an advanced stageof this disease. While the positive effects of physical therapyon the quality of life in patients with venous diseases areconfirmed, there is no controlled study for the effectivenessof cold mud packs on venous disorders and quality of life inpatients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Objectives: To assess whether cold mud packs have apositive impact on venous disorders and quality of life ofpatients with chronic venous insufficiency and to enquire forrelevant undesirable side effects.

Methods: Outpatients with venous disorders were rando-mized and divided into a study and control group. Patients in thecontrol group retained their previous therapy, whereas patientsin the study group additionally obtained a total of six cold mud(clay) packs, two per week, lasting 1h each. Effectiveness oftreatment was evaluated by changes in the circumference ofankle and calf, the transcutaneous partial oxygen pressure, lightreflection rheography testing and the subjective sensation ofstasis and pain in the lower limb on a five-point analogue scale.Quality of life was evaluated by a questionnaire, the MedicalOutcome Short-Form General Health Survey (SF 36). All measureswere taken three times, before and directly after the treatmentperiod and three month upon its completion.

Results: Subjective and objective measures improvedsimilarly. Light reflection rheography shows enhancementin venous functioning up to 25% after treatment by cold mudpacks. Subjective measures of pain in the lower limb andsensation of stasis reduced up to 70%. There were norelevant side effects.

Conclusions: The application of cold mud packs seems tobe a helpful therapy for patients with chronic venousinsufficiency who want to ease their disorders and bettertheir quality of live and moreover low in side effects.

10.1016/j.eujim.2008.08.110