OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence for the effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for anxiety disorders. DATA SOURCES: Systematic literature search using PubMed, PsycLit, and the Cochrane Library. DATA SYNTHESIS: 108 treatments were identified and grouped under the categories of medicines and homoeopathic remedies, physical treatments, lifestyle, and dietary changes. We give a description of the 34 treatments (for which evidence was found in the literature searched), the rationale behind the treatments, a review of studies on effectiveness, and the level of evidence for the effectiveness studies. CONCLUSIONS: The treatments with the best evidence of effectiveness are kava (for generalised anxiety), exercise (for generalised anxiety), relaxation training (for generalised anxiety, panic disorder, dental phobia and test anxiety) and bibliotherapy (for specific phobias). There is more limited evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture, music, autogenic training and meditation for generalised anxiety; for inositol in the treatment of panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder; and for alcohol avoidance by people with alcohol-use disorders to reduce a range of anxiety disorders.
OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence for the effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for anxiety disorders. DATA SOURCES: Systematic literature search using PubMed, PsycLit, and the Cochrane Library. DATA SYNTHESIS: 108 treatments were identified and grouped under the categories of medicines and homoeopathic remedies, physical treatments, lifestyle, and dietary changes. We give a description of the 34 treatments (for which evidence was found in the literature searched), the rationale behind the treatments, a review of studies on effectiveness, and the level of evidence for the effectiveness studies. CONCLUSIONS: The treatments with the best evidence of effectiveness are kava (for generalised anxiety), exercise (for generalised anxiety), relaxation training (for generalised anxiety, panic disorder, dental phobia and test anxiety) and bibliotherapy (for specific phobias). There is more limited evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture, music, autogenic training and meditation for generalised anxiety; for inositol in the treatment of panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder; and for alcohol avoidance by people with alcohol-use disorders to reduce a range of anxiety disorders.
Authors: Chris C Streeter; Theodore H Whitfield; Liz Owen; Tasha Rein; Surya K Karri; Aleksandra Yakhkind; Ruth Perlmutter; Andrew Prescot; Perry F Renshaw; Domenic A Ciraulo; J Eric Jensen Journal: J Altern Complement Med Date: 2010-08-19 Impact factor: 2.579
Authors: Peter Knapp; C Alexia Campbell Burton; John Holmes; Jenni Murray; David Gillespie; C Elizabeth Lightbody; Caroline L Watkins; Ho-Yan Y Chun; Sharon R Lewis Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2017-05-23
Authors: Matt G Kushner; Eric W Maurer; Paul Thuras; Chris Donahue; Brenda Frye; Kyle R Menary; Jennifer Hobbs; Angela M Haeny; Joani Van Demark Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2012-12-31