Does the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

5856 Words24 Pages
Abstract: Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine by people with mental health problems and its effectiveness is well researched and documented. However, their effectiveness in peoples general wellbeing is not so much established and they maybe more beneficial than commonly assumed. Aim: This review to the current literature in the use of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine (CAM), by people with mental health problems is aiming to assess, explore and find evidence that support the beneficial effect of CAM to people’s wellbeing. Methodology: Electronic and manual literature search on the use of complementary medicines by people with mental health problems. Any primary search of the last 11 years (2000 - 20011) that includes any use of CAM by people with any mental health problem is looked into in order to Results: the results of this review are suggesting that the use of complementary and alternative medicine has a positive effect on the general well being of people with mental health problems. Conclusions and Relevance to clinical practice: Systematic clinical researches are needed to test specifically the effect of cam on the well being of people with mental health problems. Meanwhile, further investigation of this issue will greatly smooth the progress of integration of CAM in NHS provision towards improving the health of the population and promoting recovery. Introduction and literature review: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) appears to be very popular with the public. The 46% of the UK population could be expected to use one or more CAM therapies in their lifetime (Thomas et al. 2001). The rapid growth in numbers, of people which use at least one form of CAM suggest that people find these therapies effective. Unfortunately, although the main focus of research in CAM is on its

More about Does the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Open Document