A Review of the Current Status of Mind Body Medicine in Obstetric and Gynecology Practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose Mind body therapies (MBTs) are gaining popularity. Clinicians need to be aware of the current evidence-base supporting or refuting their applicability in obstetric and gynecology practice. Methods An electronic search of Medline was carried out for review articles, meta-analysis and randomized control trials (RCTs) for use of MBTs in obstetrics and gynecology from the year 2000. Results Yoga, acupuncture, behavioral therapies and hypnotherapy are widely used. Yoga has applications in dysmenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy and menopausal symptoms. Acupuncture has applications in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), dysmenorrhea and has been used for menopausal symptoms, endometriosis and lactation. Behavioral therapy has applications in menopausal symptoms and FHA. Hypnotherapy has been used in FHA and pregnancy. Discussion Numerous trials and reviews have been carried out for the applications of MBTs in obstetrics and gynecology. However, these are heterogenous, have small sample size, methodological flaws and only provide short-term results. While we await large scale, well-designed RCTs, current evidence does not permit the use of MBTs as primary therapies. They can be used as adjuncts, but with caution as side effects though claimed to be negligible, have been largely underreported in trials. Abbreviations APGAR: Appearance pulse grimace activity respiration; CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy; FHA: Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea; GnRH: Gonadotropin releasing hormone; HPA: Hypothalamic-pituitary axis; HPG: Hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis; HRT: Hormone replacement therapy; IVF: In vitro fertilization; LH: Luteinizing hormone; MBSR: Mindful-based stress reduction; MBT: Mindbody therapy; PCOS: Polycystic ovarian syndrome; RCT: Randomized control trial; TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone. How to cite this article Hariharan C, Sinha A, Chaudhary RK. A Review of the Current Status of Mind Body Medicine in Obstetric and Gynecology Practice. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(3):vii-xi.