Assessing a Training Program for Integrative Medicine Practitioners in the Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder.

Study objective: The study examined a training program for integrative medicine (IM) providers, teaching clinical skills for treating acute stress disorder (ASD).

Methods: A 10-h online training program, designed by IM and mental health professionals, was attended by a group of 32 IM providers working in supportive and palliative oncology care. Pre- and post-course questionnaires assessed self-perceived levels of IM and mental health ASD-related skills (from 1, very low; to 7, very high).

Results: Most participants (25; 78%) completed pre- and post-study questionnaires, which showed an increase in post-course scores for the expectation that IM could reduce ASD-related pain (p = 0.004). Scores for self-assessed skill levels increased for treating gastro-intestinal symptoms and appetite (p = 0.039) and for dyspnea (p = 0.048). A borderline increase for arousal was observed (p = 0.063), with no increase with other arousal symptom cluster symptoms.

Conclusions: The ASD-focused training program for IM practitioners was associated with an increase in self-perceived levels for related clinical skills quality of life-related concerns, primarily pain, appetite and dyspnea. Further research is needed to better understand the implications of the findings, and to explore the implementation of the learned skills in clinical practice.