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Current Psychiatry Reports
Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports 9/2013

01-09-2013 | Mood Disorders (SM Strakowski, Section Editor)

Integrative Medicine for Treating Depression: An Update on the Latest Evidence

Authors: Christina M. Luberto, Christopher White, Richard W. Sears, Sian Cotton

Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports | Issue 9/2013

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Abstract

Integrative medicine (IntM) is a growing medical trend combining conventional medical approaches with evidence-based complementary therapies to promote well-being. Over half of individuals with depression use some form of IntM for symptom management. The purpose of the current study was to critically review the scientific evidence for IntM techniques in treating adult unipolar depression. We examined randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published in the last one to three years using PsychINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases. The strongest evidence currently exists for mindfulness-based interventions and St. John’s Wort (SJW) as monotherapies, and there is relatively strong evidence to support the use of omega-3 fatty acids and exercise as adjunct therapies. However, there remains an overall lack of methodologically rigorous research to support the efficacy of many other IntM techniques. Providers should be aware that many patients use IntM techniques for depression treatment and inquire regularly about such use.
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Metadata
Title
Integrative Medicine for Treating Depression: An Update on the Latest Evidence
Authors
Christina M. Luberto
Christopher White
Richard W. Sears
Sian Cotton
Publication date
01-09-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Psychiatry Reports / Issue 9/2013
Print ISSN: 1523-3812
Electronic ISSN: 1535-1645
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0391-2

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