Key papers in Complementary and alternative medicine
Pofolia’s corpus holds 74 papers from the Complementary and alternative medicine subfield (2012–2026). The list below starts with the most cited.
Most cited
Ranked by citation count. Because citations accumulate over time, this list naturally leans towards work published a few years ago; for where the field is now, see “recently added”.
ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription
Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins eBooks · 2014 · FWCI 138.74 · 9,488 citations
This document outlines the latest evidence-based recommendations for exercise testing and prescription, covering health appraisal, risk assessment, and tailored exercise programs for various populations.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) with HIV-1 infection outcomes in brazilian HIV-1+ individuals
Repositori digital de la UPF (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) · 2014 · FWCI 1804.13 · 7,135 citations
This study found no significant association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LEDGF/p75 gene and HIV-1 infection outcomes in Brazilian individuals.
The growing use of herbal medicines: issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety
Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2014 · Q1 · SJR 1.00 · FWCI 193.12 · 3,805 citations · Open access
The global reliance on herbal medicines, used by over 80% of people for primary healthcare, is growing, yet many remain untested and poorly monitored, leading to inadequate knowledge of their safety profiles.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2022 · 2,424 citations
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a journal that aims to bring scientific rigor to the study of complementary and alternative medicine.
Importance of Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Clinical Practice: A Case for Fitness as a Clinical Vital Sign: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Circulation · 2016 · Q1 · SJR 8.00 · FWCI 278.80 · 2,417 citations · Open access
Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a stronger predictor of mortality than smoking, hypertension, or diabetes, and significantly improves risk prediction when added to traditional factors.
Physiological adaptations to low‐volume, high‐intensity interval training in health and disease
The Journal of Physiology · 2012 · Q1 · SJR 1.00 · FWCI 272.99 · 1,715 citations
Low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIT) can induce physiological adaptations comparable to moderate-intensity continuous training, despite significantly lower time commitment and exercise volume.
Exercise Training for Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Journal of the American Heart Association · 2013 · Q1 · SJR 2.00 · FWCI 24.48 · 1,667 citations
Isometric resistance training showed the largest potential for reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP), with a mean reduction of -10.9 mm Hg, while endurance training was most effective for hypertensive individuals, lowering SBP by -8.3 mm Hg.
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine · 2013 · Q3 · FWCI 145.35 · 1,423 citations
Nigella sativa (N. sativa), a widely used medicinal plant, exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions including antidiabetic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Effect of Zeta Potential on the Properties of Nano-Drug Delivery Systems - A Review (Part 2)
Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research · 2013 · Q4 · FWCI 66.24 · 1,316 citations · Open access
Zeta potential (ZP) significantly influences nano-drug delivery systems, impacting stability, drug release rates, blood circulation, and absorption into body membranes.
High-intensity interval training in patients with lifestyle-induced cardiometabolic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
British Journal of Sports Medicine · 2013 · Q1 · SJR 4.00 · FWCI 14.73 · 1,254 citations · Open access
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) significantly boosts cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by nearly double the amount seen with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in patients with chronic cardiometabolic diseases.
Trends in the Use of Complementary Health Approaches Among Adults in the United States
Holistic Nursing Practice · 2015 · Q1 · FWCI 350.65 · 1,191 citations
This paper analyzes trends in the use of complementary health approaches among US adults. It aims to provide an overview of current usage patterns.
Physiological adaptations to interval training and the role of exercise intensity
The Journal of Physiology · 2016 · Q1 · SJR 1.00 · FWCI 97.77 · 1,076 citations
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) induce physiological adaptations similar to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), but intensity plays a key role in mediating these changes.
Role of Antioxidants and Natural Products in Inflammation
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity · 2016 · Q1 · SJR 1.00 · FWCI 76.94 · 993 citations · Open access
This review outlines the inflammatory process and its cellular mechanisms, highlighting how an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants contributes to chronic diseases.
Acupuncture for Chronic Pain
Archives of Internal Medicine · 2012 · FWCI 255.34 · 981 citations
A large meta-analysis of 17,922 patients found acupuncture to be superior to both sham and no-acupuncture controls for four chronic pain conditions, indicating it is more than a placebo.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
International Journal of Sports Medicine · 2026 · Q1 · 969 citations
A portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device can accurately identify the exercise intensity breakpoint (StO2) in well-trained runners, matching the results of traditional gas exchange methods (VT2). This finding is supported by strong correlations and agreement analyses across multiple physiological measures.
Trends in the use of complementary health approaches among adults: United States, 2002-2012.
PubMed · 2015 · FWCI 229.88 · 935 citations
The use of yoga, tai chi, and qi gong significantly increased among US adults between 2002 and 2012, with yoga comprising about 80% of this growth.
Mechanisms of Acupuncture–Electroacupuncture on Persistent Pain
Anesthesiology · 2013 · Q1 · SJR 1.00 · FWCI 52.47 · 905 citations · Open access
Electroacupuncture (EA) activates the nervous system differently in pain states, alleviating sensory and affective pain, and is more effective at 2-10 Hz than 100 Hz for inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Short Physical Performance Battery and all-cause mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis
BMC Medicine · 2016 · Q1 · SJR 2.00 · FWCI 14.29 · 889 citations · Open access
A meta-analysis of 17 studies (n=16,534) found that lower scores on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) are significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality risk.
Blood Flow Restriction Exercise: Considerations of Methodology, Application, and Safety
Frontiers in Physiology · 2019 · Q2 · SJR 1.00 · FWCI 88.79 · 873 citations · Open access
This position stand provides a research-informed guide for practitioners on Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) exercise, covering its methodology, application, and safety.
Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine · 2018 · Q1 · FWCI 66.46 · 829 citations · Open access
Regular physical activity is strongly linked to reduced cardiovascular mortality and disease risk, offering benefits like lower blood pressure and improved insulin sensitivity.
Recently added
The Effects of Low-intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training on Post-surgical ACL Reconstruction Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Medical Journal of Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth · 2026 · Q4
A 12-week low-intensity blood flow restriction (BFR) training protocol significantly improved muscle strength and functional outcomes (P < 0.001) in patients recovering from ACL reconstruction, outperforming traditional high-intensity training.
Blood Flow Restriction Training After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · 2026 · Q1 · SJR 1.00
Blood flow restriction (BFR) training significantly improved Lysholm scores (5.75 points) and quadriceps strength (8.34 Nm) in patients recovering from ACL reconstruction, compared to standard low-load rehabilitation.
Factors Affecting Clinical Decision Making for Blood Flow Restriction Training in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy · 2026 · Q1 · Open access
Nearly half (55%) of physical therapists surveyed would not use blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on younger patients post-ACL injury, primarily due to concerns about patient tolerance (90%) and pain (71%).
International Journal of Sports Medicine
International Journal of Sports Medicine · 2026 · Q1 · 969 citations
A portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device can accurately identify the exercise intensity breakpoint (StO2) in well-trained runners, matching the results of traditional gas exchange methods (VT2). This finding is supported by strong correlations and agreement analyses across multiple physiological measures.
Survey of Blood Flow Restriction Training Applications in Sports Medicine and Performance Practice Across North America
The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · 2024 · Q1 · SJR 1.00 · FWCI 1.69 · 3 citations
A survey of 72 North American sports medicine professionals found that while BFR training parameters vary, most adhere to position statement recommendations for resistance and aerobic modes, reporting mild side effects like DOMS (66.2%) and pain (28%).
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