Complementary therapies in clinical practice
August 1, 2023
Dali Geagea, David Ogez, Roy Kimble et al.
11 citations
Hypnosis, a mind-body treatment with ancient roots, has shown effectiveness for distress, pain, and psychosomatic disorders, yet myths and misconceptions among the public and clinicians hinder its acceptance. This narrative review traces the history of those myths alongside hypnosis's evolution as a treatment, compares it to similar interventions, and presents evidence to demystify it. It distinguishes hypnotic from non-hypnotic procedures to clarify understanding, aiming to promote hypnosis in clinical and research settings. The review also highlights knowledge gaps needing further investigation to support evidence-based practice and optimize multimodal therapies that include hypnosis.
Complementary therapies in clinical practice
August 1, 2024
Renen Taub, Nancy Agmon-Levin, Lee Frumer et al.
7 citations
A randomized controlled trial assigned 95 fibromyalgia patients to either mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group therapy or a waitlist control group. Compared to controls, the MBSR group showed greater improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms, perceived stress, and depression, with mostly medium effect sizes. Improvements in perceived stress and depression remained stable over six months. The effect of MBSR on fibromyalgia symptoms and perceived stress was mediated by changes in psychological inflexibility in pain, while the effect on depression was mediated by changes in pain catastrophizing. These results suggest MBSR has significant therapeutic potential for fibromyalgia by fostering non-judgmental acceptance and altering pain-related cognitions.
Complementary therapies in clinical practice
November 1, 2022
Lindsay M Bennett, Vincent R Starnino
5 citations
Yoga can aid healing for survivors of complex interpersonal trauma, a condition with symptoms beyond standard PTSD. In a qualitative study using transcendental phenomenology, five participants shared their yoga experiences through narrative interviews. Themes emerged including transformation, holistic benefits from different yoga styles, community and relationships, and trauma healing. These findings support incorporating yoga as a therapeutic intervention in clinical social work practice.
Complementary therapies in clinical practice
May 1, 2025
Meg Barber, Subhadra Evans, Rosie Marks et al.
3 citations
People with persistent pain who took part in a six-week iRest Yoga Nidra group program reported deep relaxation, restoration, and for some, trauma reprocessing and integration. Participants described improved pain self-management and self-efficacy, and a dis-identification from pain as a personal identity. Some reported motivation and confidence to use iRest instead of medication, aiming to reduce opioid dependence. The program was offered in a specialist outpatient pain management service in a regional public hospital in Victoria, Australia. The findings suggest iRest Yoga Nidra is a personally therapeutic mind-body intervention suitable for various phases of pain care.
Complementary therapies in clinical practice
July 21, 2025
Wei-Ting Lai, Li-Yu Yang, Hsun-Kuei Ko et al.
1 citation
Palliative care providers who sustain a regular mindfulness practice after completing a mindfulness-based stress reduction program report that mindfulness fosters resilience by integrating emotional, mental, and existential dimensions. Through interviews with fifteen providers in Taiwan, three themes emerged: discovering inner resilience through mindfulness, living mindfully as a way of life, and staying resilient in challenging environments. Mindfulness served as both an internal regulatory mechanism and a stabilizing force against external uncertainties, helping providers adapt to high-stress settings. The findings suggest that mindfulness is a long-term resilience-building practice that extends beyond short-term stress relief, informing policies on healthcare provider well-being.
Complementary therapies in clinical practice
December 23, 2025
Naomi E Clark, Ben Parkinson, Xu Wang et al.
Anxiety and depression are common after stroke and often persist without adequate long-term support. Mindfulness-based interventions can help stroke survivors self-manage these symptoms, but little is known about what keeps survivors practicing after an intervention ends. This secondary analysis of follow-up interviews with 12 stroke survivors who completed the HEADS: UP mindfulness program identified seven mechanisms that supported continued practice: believing practice brings benefits, personal preferences and accessibility, continued learning, attitudes of others and society, togetherness and connection, structuring and scaffolding practice, and competing priorities. The findings suggest that post-intervention support may help sustain mindfulness practice and could inform future intervention design and clinical guidance.