Outlook | Newsletter of the Society of Behavioral Medicine

Update: Complementary and Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group (CIM SIG)

CIM SIG Update Amanda J. Shallcross, ND, MPH, Complementary and Integrative Medicine SIG Outlook Liaison

We are looking forward to the 35th SBM Annual Meeting, April 23-26, in Philadelphia. This year's program boasts a Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) SIG breakfast roundtable, as well as several exciting CIM-related seminars and presentations. First, the CIM SIG roundtable discussion/business meeting is planned for Thursday, April 24th from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. All CIM SIG members are welcome to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about CIM programming and to network with colleagues in the field.

Second, two CIM-related seminars on acceptance-based behavioral interventions will cover the theoretical and empirical support of these treatments (Seminar 04) as well as an opportunity to build clinical skills (Seminar 07). Seminar 04: "Acceptance-Based Behavioral Intervention for Health-Related Behavior Change: Theory and Clinical Applications" will provide an in-depth consideration of the theoretical principles underpinning acceptance-based behavioral approaches (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)). Empirical support from several randomized controlled trials will be reviewed. Five dimensions of clinical application to behavioral medicine will also be highlighted: acceptance (ability to tolerate unpleasant internal experiences, such as urges, fatigue, anxiety), willingness (ability to choose valued actions even if they produce or maintain unpleasant internal states), defusion (ability to appreciate thoughts and feelings for what they are and therefore to uncouple internal experiences from behaviors), mindful decision making (nonjudgmental awareness of experiences and moment-by-moment choices), and values clarification (clarity of the personal values that motivate behavior). Seminar 07: "Working with Acceptance, Mindfulness, and Values in Chronic Pain: An Introduction and Skills Building" will provide a brief overview of the theoretical model underlying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This seminar will include opportunities for clinical practice such as experiential, skill building, and case conceptualization exercises with training modalities including include a mix of didactic instruction, modeling, and practice/role play. Opportunities for consultation, instruction, and feedback will also be provided. Seminars will be conducted on Wednesday, April 23rd, from 12-6 p.m. Admission is by paid ticket only and seating is limited. Full/Associate/Emeritus Members: $125; Student/Trainees or Transitional Members: $75; Non-Members: $175.

Third, Paper Session 20 will discuss "Cancer Fatigue: The Influence of Treatment, Medication and Mindfulness." Specifically, Dr. Shelley Johns will present results from a randomized controlled trial examining the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for persistently fatigued cancer survivors. Additionally, Paper Session 21 "Physical Activity Interventions among Older Adults" will feature a presentation by Dr. Neha Gothe on the effects of an 8-week hatha yoga intervention on executive function in older adults. These two paper sessions will be presented on Friday, April 25th from 3:35-5:15 p.m.

Finally, a poster entitled, "Using Mindfulness Meditation to Improve Pain Management in Combat Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury," will present results from a pilot study that examined the effectiveness of mindfulness (iRest®) for managing chronic pain in U.S. veterans with traumatic brain injuries. This poster (C-137) will be presented on April 25, from 6:25-7:45 p.m.

Together, these scientific presentations substantiate a biopsychosocial model of health care. This model, which integrates psychological, biological, and sociological processes, directly supports the primary objective of CIM SIG, which is to investigate and promote the use of evidence-based therapeutic interventions that focus on the whole person.


Winter 2014	Return to Outlook Main page »
Update: Complementary and Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group (CIM SIG) *Amanda J. Shallcross, ND, MPH, Complementary and Integrative Medicine SIG Outlook* Liaison** We are looking forward to the 35th SBM Annual Meeting, April 23-26, in Philadelphia. This year's program boasts a Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) SIG breakfast roundtable, as well as several exciting CIM-related seminars and presentations. First, the CIM SIG roundtable discussion/business meeting is planned for Thursday, April 24th from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. All CIM SIG members are welcome to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about CIM programming and to network with colleagues in the field. Second, two CIM-related seminars on acceptance-based behavioral interventions will cover the theoretical and empirical support of these treatments (Seminar 04) as well as an opportunity to build clinical skills (Seminar 07). Seminar 04: "Acceptance-Based Behavioral Intervention for Health-Related Behavior Change: Theory and Clinical Applications" will provide an in-depth consideration of the theoretical principles underpinning acceptance-based behavioral approaches (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)). Empirical support from several randomized controlled trials will be reviewed. Five dimensions of clinical application to behavioral medicine will also be highlighted: acceptance (ability to tolerate unpleasant internal experiences, such as urges, fatigue, anxiety), willingness (ability to choose valued actions even if they produce or maintain unpleasant internal states), defusion (ability to appreciate thoughts and feelings for what they are and therefore to uncouple internal experiences from behaviors), mindful decision making (nonjudgmental awareness of experiences and moment-by-moment choices), and values clarification (clarity of the personal values that motivate behavior). Seminar 07: "Working with Acceptance, Mindfulness, and Values in Chronic Pain: An Introduction and Skills Building" will provide a brief overview of the theoretical model underlying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This seminar will include opportunities for clinical practice such as experiential, skill building, and case conceptualization exercises with training modalities including include a mix of didactic instruction, modeling, and practice/role play. Opportunities for consultation, instruction, and feedback will also be provided. Seminars will be conducted on Wednesday, April 23rd, from 12-6 p.m. Admission is by paid ticket only and seating is limited. Full/Associate/Emeritus Members: $125; Student/Trainees or Transitional Members: $75; Non-Members: $175. Third, Paper Session 20 will discuss "Cancer Fatigue: The Influence of Treatment, Medication and Mindfulness." Specifically, Dr. Shelley Johns will present results from a randomized controlled trial examining the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for persistently fatigued cancer survivors. Additionally, Paper Session 21 "Physical Activity Interventions among Older Adults" will feature a presentation by Dr. Neha Gothe on the effects of an 8-week hatha yoga intervention on executive function in older adults. These two paper sessions will be presented on Friday, April 25th from 3:35-5:15 p.m. Finally, a poster entitled, "Using Mindfulness Meditation to Improve Pain Management in Combat Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury," will present results from a pilot study that examined the effectiveness of mindfulness (iRest®) for managing chronic pain in U.S. veterans with traumatic brain injuries. This poster (C-137) will be presented on April 25, from 6:25-7:45 p.m. Together, these scientific presentations substantiate a biopsychosocial model of health care. This model, which integrates psychological, biological, and sociological processes, directly supports the primary objective of CIM SIG, which is to investigate and promote the use of evidence-based therapeutic interventions that focus on the whole person.