Non-pharmacological treatment of anxiety in general practice: a scoping review.

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Anxiety is a common problem amongst the population, including patients in general practice. Treatment often relies on medication, but non-pharmacological alternatives may offer safer or more sustainable options, particularly for mild to moderate anxiety. There is a limited overview of which non-pharmacological treatments have been studied or implemented in general practice.<h4>Objectives</h4>This scoping review aims to explore and describe existing evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety in general practice, providing an overview of available treatment approaches and identifying gaps to inform future research.<h4>Methods</h4>A scoping review was made following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Data was collected using keywords in several databases (PubMed, CINAHL and APA PsycInfo) and selected based on predefined eligibility criteria.<h4>Results</h4>Three thousand four hundred and twenty-five articles were screened and 64 were assessed. A total of seven peer-reviewed articles were included. Three themes emerged among the interventions. These were digital interventions, step-wise and low-intensity care models, and body-based interventions. The interventions were delivered through various formats, including mobile apps, online platforms and in-person clinics. The studies all targeted patients with mild to moderate anxiety. Despite differences in methodology and populations, the interventions showed a positive effect.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This scoping review highlights that while the evidence is still limited, the non-pharmacological interventions mentioned in this review have shown promise in the treatment of anxiety. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness, implementation and real-world impact of these approaches in general practice.