Benefits of MBTs
In the last 5 years, approximately 600 trials have been conducted on mind-body therapies, with 64% using RCT designs. Findings from systematic reviews suggest that MBTs are effective for treatment of a wide number of clinical conditions, particularly with, for example:
Hypertension
Depression
Coronary artery disease
Chronic pain syndromes (e.g., arthritis, headaches)
The major benefits include:
1) improved quality life,
2) decreased intensity of subjective symptoms and objective disease-specific parameters, and
3) reductions in length of hospitalization stay, medication dosages and visits to physician offices.
In subsequent units, you will learn which mind-body practices have the strongest support for treatment of certain clinical conditions, and how to best advise your patients on their use.
(Ryan McVay, People Doing Yoga in a Class, Thinkstock. Royalty Free.)