COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN MENTAL HEALTH

AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are therapeutic approaches that seek the integrality of care, aiming at health promotion, prevention, and recovery through the stimulation of the body's natural mechanisms, and have been used to enhance mental health care. In light of the increasing prevalence of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, it is essential to explore therapies that promote well-being in an integral way. Objective: Reviewing the literature on the use of CAM in mental health care, identifying the benefits and limitations of these practices, as well as exploring the relevance of their application in different contexts. Method: An integrative literature review was conducted in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), and PubMed databases, covering articles published between 2013 and 2023. Qualitative and quantitative studies in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, which addressed CAM in the context of mental health, were included. The selection was based on relevance and free availability of full-text articles. Data analysis was performed through descriptive synthesis and content analysis. Results: Eighteen articles were analyzed, investigating the most common interventions, such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, Integrative Community Therapy (ICT) and music therapy. The results showed significant benefits in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, as well as improvements in participants' quality of life and overall well-being. Conclusion: CAM proved to be beneficial as complementary treatments, favoring an integrated and humanized approach to mental health care. However, there is a need for more studies addressing psychosocial aspects and less explored practices.