The Role of Integrative Therapies in the Management of Trauma-related Disorders Amongst Refugees

It is well recognised that there is a high prevalence of trauma-related disorders amongst people of refugee background. Integrative approaches that utilise complementary therapies in combination with conventional Western treatments including psychological therapy and pharmacotherapy are consistent with culturally responsive care.

To explore the evidence base for complementary therapies in the management of trauma-related disorders amongst refugees and summarise the evidence base for integrative approaches of relevance to the management of trauma-related disorders in this population.

A narrative review was performed using the electronic database Medline (via PubMed). Additional articles were sourced using the snowball search method.

81 articles were identified in a preliminary search, of which 22 articles were considered eligible for inclusion in the review. A broad range of complementary therapies have demonstrated some evidence in the management of trauma-related disorders amongst refugees including herbal medicine, dance/movement therapy, art therapy, music therapy, yoga and meditation, Qigong and Tai chi, acupuncture and neurofeedback.

There is an opportunity for health professionals to provide holistic and culturally responsive care to patients of refugee background in the management of trauma-related disorders by integrating complementary therapies with conventional treatments. Further research in this field is warranted to explore the role of specific modalities of complementary therapies.