ArticleEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2012
Complementary medicine, exercise, meditation, diet, and lifestyle modification for anxiety disorders: a review of current evidence.
Article in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
31 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 92 citations in OpenAlex.
- Identifying complementary and alternative medicine recommendations for anxiety treatment and care: a systematic review and critical assessment of comprehensive clinical practice guidelines.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2023Pooled it
- Amelioration of Adults' Mental Health Conditions and Symptoms Through Spiritual Energy Therapy: Randomized Controlled Trial.Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2025Trial
- Mediational pathways of meditation and exercise on mental health and perceived stress: A randomized controlled trial.Journal of health psychology · 2020Trial
- Acute Swedish Massage Monotherapy Successfully Remediates Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Proof-of-Concept, Randomized Controlled Study.The Journal of clinical psychiatry · 2016Trial
- Beyond symptom change: a qualitative descriptive study of reported quality of life experiences among adults prescribed medicinal cannabis for anxiety disorders.International journal of clinical pharmacy · 2026Article
- The Role of Integrative Therapies in the Management of Trauma-related Disorders Amongst Refugees.Journal of immigrant and minority health · 2026Review
- Ethanol-Withanolides Interactions: Compound-Specific Effects on Zebrafish Larvae Locomotor Behavior and GABAA Receptor Subunit Expression.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Article
- Assessing the Usability of a Prescription-Based Mobile App for Patients With Panic Disorder and Its Management Console for Clinicians: Controlled User Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Empowering Pharmacists in Type 2 Diabetes Care: Opportunities for Prevention, Counseling, and Therapeutic Optimization.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Symptoms: A Narrative Review of the Current Clinical Evidence.Marine drugs · 2025Review
- Therapeutic potential of yoga nidra for chemo brain: a complementary and integrative perspective.Psychoradiology · 2025Review
- Contributions of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria on Food Quality and Human Health: Current Applications and Future Prospects.Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- Transdiagnostic factors predicting the 2-year disability outcome in patients with anxiety and depressive disorders.BMC psychiatry · 2023Article
- A needs assessment for self-management services for adults awaiting community-based mental health services.BMC public health · 2023Article
- Optimising older adults' home spaces to enhance their physical activity level: an exploratory qualitative study protocol.BMJ open · 2023Article
- Preventive measures significantly reduced the risk of nosocomial infection in elderly inpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic.Experimental and therapeutic medicine · 2022Article
- Lifestyle behaviours and mental health and wellbeing of tertiary students during COVID-19 lockdown in Australia: A cross-sectional study.Comprehensive psychiatry · 2022Article
- Cross Brain-Gut Analysis Highlighted Hub Genes and LncRNA Networks Differentially Modified During Leucine Consumption and Endurance Exercise in Mice with Depression-Like Behaviors.Molecular neurobiology · 2022Article
- A Differential Threshold of Breakfast, Caffeine and Food Groups May Be Impacting Mental Well-Being in Young Adults: The Mediation Effect of Exercise.Frontiers in nutrition · 2021Article
- The Integrated Treatment for Chronic Pain and Anxiety in a Patient with Breast Implant Illness Symptoms: A Case Report.Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.) · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Use of complementary medicines and therapies (CAM) and modification of lifestyle factors such as physical activity, exercise, and diet are being increasingly considered as potential therapeutic options for anxiety disorders. The objective of this metareview was to examine evidence across a broad range of CAM and lifestyle interventions in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In early 2012 we conducted a literature search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library, for key studies, systematic reviews, and metaanalyses in the area. Our paper found that in respect to treatment of generalized anxiety or specific disorders, CAM evidence revealed current support for the herbal medicine Kava. One isolated study shows benefit for naturopathic medicine, whereas acupuncture, yoga, and Tai chi have tentative supportive evidence, which is hampered by overall poor methodology. The breadth of evidence does not support homeopathy for treating anxiety. Strong support exists for lifestyle modifications including adoption of moderate exercise and mindfulness meditation, whereas dietary improvement, avoidance of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine offer encouraging preliminary data. In conclusion, certain lifestyle modifications and some CAMs may provide a beneficial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.