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Complementary and alternative medicine usage for behavioral health indications.
Michele M Larzelere1, James S Campbell, Marta Robertson
1Department of Family Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 200 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 409, Kenner, LA 70065, USA. mlarze@lsuhsc.edu
Primary Care
|May 25, 2010
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) shows promise for depression and sleep issues, with St. John's wort effective for depression. However, evidence is insufficient for other conditions like anxiety and ADHD, with some CAM therapies posing safety risks.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly explored for mental health conditions.
- Conventional treatments for depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and ADHD often have limitations or side effects.
- A comprehensive review of CAM efficacy is needed to guide clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence supporting the use of various CAM modalities for depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and ADHD.
- To identify CAM treatments with robust scientific backing and those lacking sufficient evidence.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of CAM interventions in psychiatric care.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing scientific literature.
- Evaluation of clinical trial data and meta-analyses.
- Assessment of evidence quality and safety profiles for each CAM modality.
Main Results:
- St. John's wort (SJW) demonstrates strong evidence for depression treatment.
- Omega-3 fatty acids and S-adenosyl-l-methionine show potential as adjunctive therapies for depression.
- Kava has high-quality evidence for anxiety but carries safety concerns; melatonin is effective for specific sleep disturbances.
- Insufficient evidence exists for CAM treatments for ADHD, and some CAMs lack research support for anxiety.
Conclusions:
- CAM therapies like St. John's wort offer evidence-based options for specific conditions such as depression.
- Melatonin is beneficial for certain sleep disorders, while kava's use for anxiety is limited by safety concerns.
- Further high-quality research is required to establish evidence-based CAM treatments for anxiety and ADHD.
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