Objectives: Explore the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the health of female survivors. Identify complementary therapies that alleviate symptoms of psychological health impacts of IPV on women’s health.
Method: An exhaustive search of published, peer reviewed literature on complementary therapies and IPV was conducted. Databases included PubMed and CINAHL. Each article reviewed was published between the years of 2002 and 2016. The initial search produced 112 articles, abstracts of all studies were reviewed and studies were included if they addressed; a) complementary and alternative therapies, b) post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression and, c) the impact of IPV on female survivors.
Results: Of the 112 citations obtained, 42 relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. Excluded articles did not meet the criteria specified in the method. The major psychological effects of IPV discovered were Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression. Essential Oils, Yoga, Meditation, Mantram, Animal Assisted Therapy, and Music Therapy were all found to be effective complementary interventions in aiding to treat the psychological aftermath of intimate partner violence in women.
Conclusion: While theses complementary therapies have been deemed effective for treating some of the psychological effects of IPV (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), further research needs to be completed to test these modalities in order to develop best practice treatment plans and to compare the different therapies
