Mind-Body Interventions for Rehabilitation Medicine: Promoting Wellness, Healing, and Coping with Adversity

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2020 Nov;31(4):563-575. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2020.07.008.

Abstract

Physical medicine providers work to cure organic aspects of disease while simultaneously enhancing quality of life and well-being. Mind-body interventions are evidence-based, cost-effective approaches to serve these aims. This article enhances provider knowledge and acceptance of the most effective and prevalent mind-body modalities: meditation, guided imagery, clinical hypnosis, and biofeedback. The scientific evidence is strongest for mind-body applications for chronic pain, primary headache, cardiac rehabilitation, and cancer rehabilitation, with preliminary evidence for traumatic brain injury and cerebrovascular events. Mind-body interventions are well-tolerated by patients and should be considered part of standard care in physical medicine and rehabilitation settings.

Keywords: Biofeedback; Guided imagery; Hypnosis; Meditation; Mind-body techniques; Mindfulness.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biofeedback, Psychology*
  • Humans
  • Mind-Body Therapies*
  • Mindfulness*
  • Rehabilitation / methods*