Shamanism as a Clinical Intervention: A Scoping Review
Matthew Hicks, Richard E. Harris
Journal of Restorative Medicine 2025 DOI: 10.14200/jrm.2025.0005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Shamanic healing |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Keywords | Intervention counseling Qualitative research Medline Alternative medicine Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Shamanic healing as a clinical intervention has potential benefits and a low risk of harm, and is feasible to investigate. |
Abstract
Background: Shamanism is a transcultural, heterogeneous worldview that is primarily concerned with human interaction with the spirit world. Foremost among the many services provided by practitioners of shamanism is the healing of the mind, body, and spirit.
Methods: While most literature on shamanism consists of ethnographies of cultures that practice shamanism, the present literature search was performed to review existing medical literature of shamanic healing as a clinical intervention.
Results: Sixteen publications met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 1 clinical trial, 2 case series, and 10 case reports.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that shamanic healing as an intervention has potential benefits and a relatively low risk of harm, and is feasible to investigate as a clinical intervention. Further research is warranted to better elucidate its benefits.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices. | 2024 | Systematic review | |
| Antinociceptive Efficacy of Shamanic Healing for the Management of Temporomandibular Disorders: An Evidence-Based Review. Females with temporomandibular disorders, mean age 38.3 years | 2024 | Systematic review | n = 3 |
| Comprehensive Literature Review: Transpersonal Psychology, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, and Transpersonal Hypnotherapy (1960s–2026) | 2026 | Systematic review | |
| Ethnomedicinal and Shamanism in Bhotia Tribes Bhotia tribes in Uttarakhand's trans-Himalayan valleys | 2023 | Systematic review |