Use of complementary,alternative,and integrative medicine (CAIM) by nurses in the care of inpatients with mental disorders: A scoping review

Abstract

Objective

Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) encompasses a range of therapies combined with conventional care in psychiatric settings employed by nurses and other healthcare providers. Existing studies on how nurses integrate CAIM into standard care are heterogeneous. This review aims to map the existing literature on CAIM used by nurses in mental disorder care in order to identify barriers and facilitators, and examine strategies for integration into mental health care.

Methods

This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA extension methodologies, comprehensively mapping literature from MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus, including grey literature.

Results

Eight articles were included. Nurses used a variety of CAIM to manage symptoms, promote patient well-being, and strengthen therapeutic relationships. Despite institutional and cultural barriers, CAIM was perceived as a valuable component of person-centered nursing, decreasing reliance on medication and supporting nonpharmacological, body-centered care. Nurses were found to engage patients through individualized and nonjudgmental interactions.

Conclusion

Nurses make a meaningful contribution to the CAIM integration into hospitalized psychiatric care. With appropriate training and increased awareness, their role in delivering patient-centered interventions can be further strengthened, potentially enhancing both patient engagement and outcomes.

Keywords

psychiatric nursing complementary therapies holistic health psychiatry scoping review

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