THE USE OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY PRACTICES FOR THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: The application of Integrative and Complementary Practices to care for the health of people living with HIV is justified by several fundamental reasons. These approaches can provide significant advantages, such as improving quality of life, alleviating symptoms, and strengthening the immune system. Objectives: To analyze the scientific evidence on the use of integrative and complementary practices for the health of people living with HIV. Methods: This is an integrative literature review that was carried out between January and July 2024. The databases LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences), BDENF (Virtual Library in Health Nursing), IBECS (Spanish Bibliographic Index in Health Sciences) accessed via BVS, PubMed/MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) were used. Results: The use of Integrative and Complementary Practices (PICs) in the care of people with HIV proves to be promising for the physical, emotional, and psychological support of these individuals. This review indicates that practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation and yoga can reduce symptoms and improve adherence to antiretroviral treatment. In addition, approaches such as floral therapy and biodance offer significant emotional support, especially in community settings. Final considerations: It is expected that this research will contribute to the scientific community by gathering evidence that supports the use of integrative and complementary practices for the health of people living with HIV. Furthermore, continued research is essential to strengthen the understanding of the interactions between PICs and antiretroviral treatment, benefiting comprehensive management.