Mind–Body Approaches to Treating Mental Health Symptoms Among Disadvantaged Populations: A Comprehensive Review
Publication: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Volume 22, Issue Number 2
Abstract
Mind–body approaches are commonly used to treat a variety of chronic health conditions, including depression and anxiety. A substantial proportion of individuals with depression and anxiety disorders do not receive conventional treatment; disadvantaged individuals are especially unlikely to receive treatment. Mind–body approaches offer a potentially more accessible and acceptable alternative to conventional mental health treatment for disadvantaged individuals, who may not otherwise receive mental health treatment. This review examines evidence for the efficacy of mind–body interventions for mental health symptoms among disadvantaged populations. While rates of utilization were relatively lower for racial/ethnic minorities, evidence suggests that significant proportions of racial/ethnic minorities are using complementary health approaches as health treatments, especially prayer/healers and natural or herbal remedies. This review of studies on the efficacy of mind–body interventions among disadvantaged populations found evidence for the efficacy of mind–body approaches for several mental and physical health symptoms, functioning, self-care, and overall quality of life.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Volume 22 • Issue Number 2 • February 2016
Pages: 115 - 124
PubMed: 26540645
Copyright
Copyright 2016, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
History
Published online: 3 February 2016
Published in print: February 2016
Published ahead of print: 5 November 2015
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Authors
Author Disclosure Statement
Dr. Wisner reports grants from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Mental Health during the conduct of the study and other grants from Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, outside the work. The other authors have nothing to disclose.
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