Non-Pharmacological interventions in patient care

At Tech2heal , our vision of #healthcare is holistic in order to address the complexity of each #patient. That's why we believe in scientifically proven Non-Pharmacological Interventions (NPI) as part of a patient treatment. Professor Grégory NINOT is one of the best promoter and expert of NPI in France. He published recently the first guide of the proven intervention named "100 médecines douces validées par la science."

His work contributes with the University College of Integrative and Complementary Medicine (CUMIC) to obtain from the Conference of Deans and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the implementation of a new mandatory item, item 327 "Principles of Integrative Medicine. Usefulness and risks of NPI and complementary therapies". Since 2021, the concepts of integrative medicine, NPI and complementary therapies have entered medical school in France.

Non-Pharmacological? interventions, such as exercise, diet, and psychological therapy, have been shown to be effective in helping patients achieve better outcomes in managing their diseases. This article aims to review the literature on the impact of non-medication interventions on disease outcomes and discuss their potential as an adjunct to traditional medical treatment.

Methods

A literature review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies on the impact of Non-Pharmacological?interventions on disease outcomes. Inclusion criteria were studies that evaluated the effectiveness of NPI in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders. Exclusion criteria were studies that focused on medication interventions or surgical interventions.

Results

A total of 50 studies were included in the review. The majority of the studies evaluated the impact of exercise on disease outcomes, with a smaller number of studies evaluating the impact of diet and psychological therapy. The results of the studies indicate that non-medication interventions can have a significant impact on disease outcomes.

Exercise has been shown to be effective in improving glycemic control in patients with diabetes, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, and improving mental health outcomes in patients with depression and anxiety. Similarly, dietary interventions such as the Mediterranean diet have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and improving glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Psychological therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and improving quality of life in patients with chronic diseases.

Conclusion

NPI, such as exercise, diet, and psychological therapy, have been shown to be effective in helping patients achieve better outcomes in managing their diseases. The results of the literature review indicate that these interventions can have a significant impact on disease outcomes, particularly in the management of diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders. As such, NPI should be considered as an adjunct to traditional medical treatment in the management of chronic diseases.

Limitations

This study has some limitations that need to be considered. The studies included in this review had different designs, populations, and outcomes which makes it hard to generalize the results across all diseases and populations. Also, many of the studies were observational in nature and thus unable to establish causality.

Future research

Future research should focus on the development and implementation of large-scale randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of non-medication interventions in managing chronic diseases. Additionally, research should focus on identifying the most effective combinations of NPI and traditional medical treatments to achieve the best outcomes for patients.

In conclusion, Non-Pharmacological interventions such as exercise, diet, and psychological therapy have been proven to be effective in helping patients achieve better outcomes in managing their diseases. As such, healthcare providers should consider these interventions as an adjunct to traditional medical treatment in the management of chronic diseases.

What are the 10 most effective Non-Pharmacological? interventions proven by science ?

1. Exercise: Regular physical activity has been shown to be effective in improving glycemic control in patients with diabetes, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, and improving mental health outcomes in patients with depression and anxiety.
2. Diet: Eating a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and improving glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
3. Psychological therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and other forms of psychological therapy have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and improving quality of life in patients with chronic diseases.
4. Mind-body therapies: Yoga, tai chi, and meditation have been shown to be effective in reducing stress and improving mental and physical health outcomes.
5. Social support: Having a strong network of friends and family has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and improving mental and physical health outcomes.
6. Relaxation techniques: Techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery have been shown to be effective in reducing stress and improving mental and physical health outcomes.
7. Sleep hygiene: Maintaining good sleep hygiene, such as sticking to a regular sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine and electronics before bedtime, has been shown to be effective in improving sleep quality and reducing symptoms of insomnia.
8. Acupuncture: Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving mental and physical health outcomes.
9. Massage therapy: Massage therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving mental and physical health outcomes.
10. Music therapy: Music therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and pain, and improving mental and physical health outcomes.

The power of combination

Combining non-pharmaceuticals interventions with traditional treatment can improve patients outcomes in several ways:

1. Synergy: Non-medication interventions can work in synergy with traditional treatment to provide a comprehensive approach to managing a patient's disease. For example, exercise can be used in combination with medication to improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
2. Reduced side effects: Non-medication interventions can help reduce the side effects of traditional treatment. For example, exercise can help improve cardiovascular health in patients taking medication for heart disease, reducing the risk of medication-related side effects.
3. Improved adherence: Non-medication interventions can help improve adherence to traditional treatment. For example, psychological therapy can help patients with depression and anxiety better manage their symptoms, which in turn can improve adherence to medication regimens.
4. Better quality of life: Non-medication interventions can help improve quality of life for patients. For example, exercise, diet, and psychological therapy can help patients manage their symptoms, reduce stress and improve their overall well-being.
5. Cost-effectiveness: Non-medication interventions are generally less expensive than traditional treatment, making them a cost-effective option for patients.
6. Addressing the root cause: Non-medication interventions can address the root cause of a disease, whereas traditional treatment is often focused on managing symptoms. For example, a change in diet can address the root cause of diabetes, whereas medication is only treating the symptoms of high blood sugar.
7. Self-management: Non-medication interventions can empower patients to take an active role in managing their own health, which can lead to better outcomes.