BUILDING AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE
RESEARCH
Can a patient with diabetic neuropathy benefit from acupuncture? Will yoga help a cancer patient overcome fatigue and anxiety?
To address important questions like these, we collect data to analyze the effectiveness of integrative medicine therapies and effects on health outcomes. At AIM Health Institute, research collaboration with medical providers, hospitals, and medical centers is vital. If you are interested in partnering with us in a research capacity, please contact Dr. Nancy Aboulmouna at nabolumbo@healthaim.org.
EDUCATION
Valuing the importance of lifelong learning, we, at AIM Health Institute, love students. We believe that patient-driven demand for integrative medicine services calls for providing future doctors with knowledge about integrative medicine, which, at present, is not as widely incorporated into medical schools’ curricula as we believe it should be.
We offer educational programs and events for patients, friends, caregivers, and the public. We do not lecture; we provide tools, support, and empowerment. Please visit our News and Events page to learn more.
> CURRENT & ONGOING
Coming Soon
> PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED
A pilot study of group delivered behavioral interventions for insomnia among breast cancer survivors: comparing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia and a mind-body intervention
In partnership with the Katzen Cancer Research Center and the GW Cancer Center Pilot Research Award, AIM Health Institute recently conducted and submitted this double-blind, randomized study for publication. The study compared group delivery of existing gold standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) to mind-body interventions for breast cancer survivors. While both groups demonstrated a change from moderate severity to sub-threshold insomnia, the researchers found a higher patient retention rate and greater sense of satisfaction among participants in the mind-body group. This study implemented the Shared Medical Appointment model.
Reiki Share Program for Elderly Residents and Staff of an Assisted Living Facility
Elderly people living in independent or assisted-living facilities frequently suffer from multiple chronic diseases. Reiki has been previously reported to induce a sense of calmness, decrease anxiety, and improve well-being, when used for patients in various medical settings. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting Reiki training and Reiki Share program among the elderly, and to measure the effects of Reiki therapy on the quality of life and heart rate variability of elderly residents and staff members at The Residences at Thomas Circle, a retirement community in downtown Washington, D.C. Our results indicated that the Reiki Share program was easy to implement in this setting, and that the majority of participating residents and staff found it beneficial, and expressed the desire to continue such a program.
