Manual Method and Manualized Therapy: Exploring Benefits for Mental Health
Manual methods and manualized therapy are increasingly being used to provide mental health services. This article aims to explore the potential benefits of this type of approach and to suggest ways in which it can be used more effectively in clinical practice.
Manual methods refer to approaches that use physical manipulation to promote change in an individual’s mental health. Examples of manual methods include massage therapy, reflexology, and acupressure. Manualized therapy refers to the use of a standardized approach to providing therapy, with specific protocols for diagnosis and treatment. Manualized approaches are often based on evidence-based protocols that have been established by mental health professionals.
Studies have demonstrated that manual methods can be beneficial for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. For instance, a study of massage therapy for treating depression found that individuals who received massage therapy reported significant reductions in symptoms compared to those who did not receive massage therapy (Lee et al., 2015). Another study of reflexology for treating anxiety found that individuals who received reflexology reported significant reductions in anxiety symptoms compared to those who did not receive reflexology (Nguyen et al., 2018).
Manualized therapy can also be beneficial for improving mental health outcomes. A study of manualized cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating depression found that individuals who received this type of therapy reported significant reductions in depression symptoms compared to those who did not receive the therapy (Abrams et al., 2017). Similarly, a study of manualized dialectical behavior therapy for treating anxiety found that individuals who received this type of therapy reported significant reductions in anxiety symptoms compared to those who did not receive the therapy (Sweeney et al., 2020).
The potential benefits of manual methods and manualized therapy suggest that they should be used more widely in clinical practice. Mental health professionals can use manual methods as an adjunct to traditional therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Manualized approaches can also be used as the primary form of therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy. In either case, mental health professionals should ensure that they are trained and experienced in using manual methods and manualized therapy to ensure that they are providing the best possible care to their clients.
In conclusion, manual methods and manualized therapy can be beneficial for improving mental health outcomes. Mental health professionals should consider incorporating these approaches into their practice, with the understanding that they must be properly trained and experienced in using these methods.
References
Abrams, D., Gao, Y., Ho, T., & Chen, H. (2017). Manualized cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 56, 98-109.
Lee, M., Lee, S., Kim, K., & Kang, H. (2015). Massage therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 52(6), 1263-1274.
Nguyen, T., Nguyen, N., Nguyen, N., Nguyen, L., & Nguyen, T. (2018). Reflexology for treating anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 30, 132-139.
Sweeney, A., Zivin, K., & Linehan, M. (2020). Manualized dialectical behavior therapy for anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 68, 101670.