Práticas Corporais Integrativas e Saúde: experiências em Centros de Convivência da Rede de Atenção Psicossocial

Abstract

This research had as its central theme integrative mind-body practices, which are part of the Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, focusing on Psychosocial Care Socialization Centers. The general objective was to analyze experiences with integrative mind-body practices in Socialization Centers of the Psychosocial Care Network in the city of São Paulo. As specific objectives, the research sought to identify the integrative mind-body practices carried out in the Socialization Centers; to understand how integrative mind-body practices are developed by the professionals of the Socialization Centers; and to analyze the challenges and potentialities in the implementation of integrative mind-body practices in the Socialization Centers. This was a qualitative and exploratory research study that used mapping, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation as methodological strategies. The research field was the city of São Paulo, chosen due to its relevance in promoting mental health and for having integrative mind-body practices in all Community Centers. Community Centers that offered at least two activities with integrative mind-body practices were selected. The research subjects were the professionals who worked directly with the integrative mind-body practices. Mapping was carried out through telephone contact, covering 20 Community Centers, with the aim of identifying the implementation of integrative mind-body practices, as well as how many professionals were involved in conducting these activities. The semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with 13 professionals, remotely, through videoconferences, with the aim of hearing what the professionals have to say about their experiences with integrative mind-body practices, their motivations, the ways the activities are organized, the potential benefits, and the challenges faced. The in-person observations were carried out in 4 Community Centers, with the objective of recording the dynamics of the groups led by the professionals in action during the integrative mind-body practice activities, observing aspects of organization, methodology, interaction with the group, and strategies used. The data analysis was carried out using the Content Analysis technique, which made it possible to identify two thematic categories, namely: "Impacts of outsourcing on the organization of work and on the continuity of integrative mind- body practices in CECO" and "Heterogeneity as a structuring principle of CECO." In the first category, outsourcing in healthcare, with the entry of Social Organizations, although it does not directly act in the management of CECO, negatively impacts these services, generating fragility due to discontinuity in PICS training, precarious employment relationships, high professional turnover, absence of public examinations, and scarcity of financial resources. In the second category, the heterogeneity of the groups, initially seen as a challenge, reveals itself as an ethical-political potential of psychosocial care, by articulating bodily, subjective, and social dimensions, and strengthening autonomy, plurality, reciprocity, and appreciation of differences. The results indicate that the integrative mind-body practices developed in the Community Centers constitute powerful mechanisms of care both individually and collectively, with reports of improvement in bodily pain, sleep, anxiety, quality of life, social interaction, strengthening of bonds, and sense of belonging. The research also pointed to the need for investments in training and professional development, as well as in public competitions, greater dissemination, and strengthening of service structures.