Keywords
Complementary therapies
Review
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Abstract
Objective: To identify integrative and complementary therapies applied during the perioperative period and their effects on health care. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted in six stages, including original studies published between 2021 and 2025, retrieved from the Scientific Electronic Library Online, Virtual Health Library, and PubMed databases between April and June 2025, and published in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. Results: A total of 474 studies were screened, of which only 20 were included in this review. Among them, most interventions were based on acupuncture (n=11), music therapy (n=4), and Traditional Chinese Medicine (n=2). The most prominent benefits included increased satisfaction and well-being (n=11), reduction of preoperative anxiety (n=10), decreased pain levels (n=9), and reduction of postoperative nausea and vomiting (n=9). Final considerations: Integrative and complementary practices contribute significantly to a calm and safe surgical preparation, addressing the individual holistically. However, the studies revealed small sample sizes and recurring methodological limitations that affect the robustness of the findings, potentially influencing research on perioperative interventions.
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