COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION IN ELDERLY PATIENTS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of complementary therapies in the management of depression in elderly patients, through an integrative review of the literature. Depression is a prevalent condition among the elderly, often associated with physical comorbidities and functional decline, which makes its management challenging. Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation and physical exercise, have gained prominence as adjuvant approaches to conventional treatments. The review included studies published between 2010 and 2023, selected from databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library. The results indicate that these therapies can be effective in reducing depressive symptoms, especially when integrated with conventional medical treatment, providing improvements in the quality of life and general well-being of patients. However, the heterogeneity of the studies and the lack of standardization in the interventions limit the generalization of the findings. It is concluded that complementary therapies have promising potential, but require more robust research to confirm their efficacy and safety in the geriatric context.