Outcome literature review of integrative body-mind-spirit practices for mental health conditions

Integrative medicine and other behavioral health professions have embraced integrative practices, whereas social work has been relatively slow in responding to this change. Authors conducted an outcome literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on integrative body-mind-spirit (I-BMS) interventions from 2004 to 2014 to identify their evidence for treating diverse mental health conditions. This review used a modified Delphi list to assess methodological rigor of the studies and the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse Scientific Rating Scale to evaluate the level of research support for individual interventions. Of the 199 RCTs, 83.1% had positive effects, 16.9% had no effects, and none had negative effects on research participants. Findings provide information pertaining to methodological rigor and the level of research support on 10 I-BMS interventions for 16 mental health conditions. Although there is empirical evidence for the use of I-BMS interventions on a range of mental health conditions, more evidence will need to be established for the less studied I-BMS interventions and for less researched problem areas. Findings have useful implications for providing practice recommendations based on the level of research support of individual I-BMS interventions. Implications for strengthening the rigor of research are discussed.