Complementary and alternative medicine encompass a wide scope of practice, including therapies such as music, massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and yoga.
Complementary therapy involves integrating alternative health concepts with mainstream medical approaches. There is a need for increased pain management, physiological stability, and sense of well-being for the seriously ill.
Research for complementary therapy is limited, reducing its potential to positively influence practice.
Further investigation of the effectiveness of complementary therapies is warranted to expand the availability of health-promoting interventions in a population in need of a holistic approach to wellbeing.
(Gélinas, Arbour, Michaud, Robar, & Côté, 2013)Complementary
…show more content…
Key terms used included: complementary experiment, complementary therapy, alternative therapy, successfulness of alternative medicine
Articles
A randomized quasi-experimental trial revealed that listening to non-vocal classical music prior to general surgery can reduce anxiety and physiological parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Limitations included a relatively small sample size and lack of variation in type of music.
A randomized control trial with repeated measures indicated that women who underwent a Thai Chi Qi Qong (TCQQ) exercise program in addition to regularly scheduled visits to a breast clinic had improved self-esteem, decreased fatigue, cortisol levels, and increased quality of life; as compared to those that solely received medical treatment at the clinic. TCQQ could be implemented as a program to increase long term health for those diagnosed with breast cancer. Research conducted with a larger sample size and at more time intervals such as immediately after diagnosis could help better determine the effectiveness and longevity of such a
…show more content…
Focus groups most commonly identified the four interventions listed above to be feasible and effective. Although the sample could have benefitted from larger focus groups, the identified interventions could be implemented along with medication to increase comfort for patients in the ICU. Emily:
Advantages:
Comfort - Promotes patient comfort and overall well-being while being holistically-minded.
Convenience - Many of these complementary therapies are able to be implemented outside of the clinical setting, giving patients and family members autonomy over their care outside the hospital.
Disadvantages:
Contraindications - Many complementary therapies, such as certain oils and herbs, may be contraindicated while also using certain medications. Nurses should always check with a physician and physician orders before implementing herbs, oils, etc. that may interfere with the medical treatment.
Barriers to Implementation
There is a lack of knowledge regarding different types of alternative therapies and their usefulness, making it difficult to implement in the clinical setting.
By educating future nurses about alternative therapies, they will be more open-minded of their usefulness and will be more likely to implement them into the clinical