A Review of Theses on Complementary and Supportive Medicine Practices for Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine nursing theses on complementary and supportive medicine practices for patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 DM) in Turkey and to guide future related studies and nursing practices.Materials and Methods: The data in the study were obtained by searching the keywords “diabetes”, “complementary”, “supportive treatment”, “holistic complementary and supportive treatment”, “integrative treatment”, “nursing”, “acupressure”, “massage”, “aromatherapy”, “reflexology”, “reiki”, “yoga”, “herbal treatment” in the database of the National Thesis Center of the Council of Higher Education after a literature review. As a result of the search, 11 theses written between 1994 and 2023 in the Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing were identified, and the information of the theses were accessed.Results: According to the results of the study, complementary and supportive medicine practices were found to be effective in the symptoms of individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (neuropathic pain, sleep and quality of life, anxiety, hope, cognitive functions, lowering/stabilizing blood glucose levels, psychological relief).Conclusion: It was concluded that complementary and supportive medicine practices such as acupressure, aromatherapy (inhalation/scent), reflexology foot massage), herbal therapy were used in patients with Type 2 DM. These practices were found to have positive effects on blood sugar regulation, neuropathic pain, sleep and quality of life, anxiety, hope, cognitive functions, and psychological relaxation.