Meta-review highlights preliminary evidence of advantages of structural integration

Source: Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

A recent study reviewed the efficacy of the practice of structural integration (SI), an approach to therapy and education that approaches "human biomechanical functioning" as a whole rather than a set of particular symptoms.

The study explored SI through a variety of angles, including the author's own experiences with the practice and theory of SI, a database search, consultation with other SI practitioners, and a review of other web archives and bibliographies. Although the author acknowledges the limitations of small sample sizes and a lack of a control group, he does find preliminary evidence for SI's ability to improve neuromotor coordination, sensory processing, self concept and vagal tone, and reduce anxiety.

Additionally, small clinical studies with patients experiencing cerebral palsy, chronic musculoskeletal pain, impaired balance, and chronic fatigue syndrome suggest that an SI approach contributes to improvements in gait, pain, range of motion, balance, functional status and well-being.