Focusing
Alternate names: Attentional Focus, Attentional Focus And Symptom Management Intervention (AFSMI), Body-State Focusing, External Focusing, Focusing-Oriented Therapy, Focusing Process, Focusing Therapy, Interactive Focusing Therapy, Internal Focusing
Background
Focusing is a mind-body based therapy. It can be used for psychological wellbeing as well as improving learning and physical function.
Focusing has been used to improve stress and well-being in patients with anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and other conditions. However, there is no reliable scientific evidence to support the use of focusing for any condition.
Focusing has been used to improve stress and well-being in patients with anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and other conditions. However, there is no reliable scientific evidence to support the use of focusing for any condition.
Safety Safety definitions
Focusing is LIKELY SAFE when performed correctly and for a short period of time. Focusing has not been linked with any side effects.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if focusing is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. However, there is no reason to suspect safety issues when used appropriately.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Cancer. Early research shows that practicing focusing might improve depression and improve well-being in people with cancer.
- Child development. Early research shows that, in addition to standard training, focusing practice does not seem to further improve basketball free-throw performance in children.
- Learning disabilities. Early research shows that focusing on the activity rather than on themselves seems to improve the learning of movement in children with learning disabilities.
- Muscle strength. Early research shows that focusing on the muscle contraction during weight training seems to increase muscle size when compared to focusing on the results of the exercise.
- Chronic pain. Early research shows that practicing focusing might improve pain in people with chronic pain.
- Parkinson disease. Early research shows that adding focusing to a 4-week balance training does not seem to improve balance or walking in people with Parkinson disease.
- A type of anxiety marked by fear in some or all social settings (social anxiety disorder). Early research shows that practicing focusing might reduce anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder.
- Sprains. Early research shows that external focusing seems to be better than internal focusing for improving stability in people with a sprained ankle.
- Stroke. Early research shows that different focusing practices might benefit patients recovering from stroke.
- Aging.
- Depression.
- Quality of life.
- Schizophrenia.
- Stress.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate or safe use of focusing depends on several factors such as the condition being treated or the person administering the treatment. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this treatment.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
It is not known how focusing works. In psychotherapy, focusing is meant to help a person develop coping mechanisms for various issues and troubles. "External" focusing, or focusing on aspects outside the body, is thought to improve learning and performance of movements. "Internal" focusing, or focusing on a body part or personal thought, is thought to disrupt the flow of an activity.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 27/01/2023 23:41:55 and last updated on 30/11/2021 04:59:17. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
