The integration of complementary and integrative health and whole person health in gastrointestinal disorders: a narrative review

Abstract

Background and objective: Complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches are increasingly popular among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Whole person health has been identified as an important perspective in integrative health. While complementary approaches have been discussed in the GI literature, the whole person health framework has not yet been incorporated. Whole person health is particularly relevant as we shift to patient-centered care to facilitate holistic healing for this population. The aim of this paper is to apply a conceptualization of whole person health and its relevance in understanding how CIH approaches can be utilized for patients with stress-sensitive GI disorders, such as disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Between July 2023 and December 2023 numerous major databases were reviewed to identify relevant articles for this narrative review. Keywords searched included (but not limited to) complementary alternative medicine, integrative medicine, DGBI, IBD, whole person health, and CIH categories (nutritional, mind-body, psychological). We limited our search to peer-reviewed English language articles. Studies were also cross-referenced to incorporate additional relevant studies.

Key content and findings: This narrative review describes how to integrate CIH approaches with whole person health for patients with some of the most common stress-sensitive GI disorders, including DGBIs and IBD. In each section, we highlight how each domain of the whole person health framework (biological, behavioral, social, environmental) can be addressed through CIH approaches: psychological, mind-body practices, and nutritional.

Conclusions: The integration of CIH approaches into the treatment of GI disorders is a growing area of interest that holds promise for enhancing patient outcomes. The two concepts of CIH and whole person health are harmonizing, and their integration serves to support patients who are already using CIH approaches, and providers who can facilitate shared-decision-making and patient-centered care. While not exhaustive, this review demonstrates positive associations between the use of CIH and beneficial outcomes across all whole person health domains for patients with GI disorders.

Keywords: Complementary and integrative health (CIH); complementary and alternative health; disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI); inflammatory bowel disorder; whole person health.

Figure 1

The integration of complementary and integrative health and whole person health.