Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Practices: A Narrative Review Elucidating the Impact on Healthcare Systems, Mechanisms and Paediatric Applications
Author: Patricia Anaid Romero-García1, Sergio Ramirez-Perez1,2, Jorge Javier Miguel-González1,3, Sandra Guzmán-Silahua1,4, Javier Adan Castañeda-Moreno1, Sophia Komninou5, Simón Quetzalcoatl Rodríguez-Lara1
Affiliation:
1 School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan 45129, Jalisco, Mexico.
2 Instituto de Investigación en Reumatología y del Sistema Músculo-Esquelético (IIRSME), CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Jalisco, Mexico.
3 Departamento de Investigación, Instituto Cardiovascular de Mínima Invasión (ICMI), Zapopan 45116, Jalisco, Mexico.
4 Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, CMNO OOAD Jalisco Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara 44160, Jalisco, Mexico.
5 Faculty of Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
Conference/Journal: Healthcare (Basel)
Date published: 2024 Aug 5
Other:
Volume ID: 12 , Issue ID: 15 , Pages: 1547 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/healthcare12151547. , Word Count: 257
While research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the general population is expanding, there remains a scarcity of studies investigating the efficacy and utilisation of CAM practices, specifically in the paediatric population. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of the parental utilisation of CAM in their dependents is estimated to reach up to 80%. This literature review identified broad, heterogeneous, and inconclusive evidence regarding CAM's applications and effectiveness, primarily attributed to variance in sociodemographic factors and differences in national healthcare systems. Additionally, the review identified a lack of consensus and polarised positions among mainstream professionals regarding the mechanisms of action, applications, and effectiveness of CAM. This narrative review presents varied results concerning the efficacy of most CAM therapies and their applications; however, some evidence suggests potential benefits for acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, and massage in improving physical and mental health. Moreover, the available evidence indicates that meditation may enhance mental health, while reiki may only influence patients' perceptions of comfort. In light of the intricate and multifaceted nature of herbal medicine, it is imperative to assess its efficacy on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific compounds and procedures involved. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for health professionals, offering guidance for personalised healthcare approaches that consider the values and beliefs of patients, thereby facilitating integrated, evidence-based practices aimed at enhancing the quality of healthcare services and patient satisfaction.
Keywords: complementary and alternative medicine; mental health; nutritional; paediatric health; physical; physiological; psychological; traditional medicine; well-being.
PMID: 39120250 PMCID: PMC11311728 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12151547
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