Moving, eating, drinking, sleeping, talking, reading, writing, painting, listening to music, watching a movie, dancing, laughing, walking, singing, meditating, gardening, socializing, etc., are all activities of daily life. Some of these can generate joy, pleasure, personal growth, and well-being. In a democratic country, everyone is free to interpret and experience these activities in their own way. This relates to life philosophy, lifestyle, the art of living, and personal development. In other words, a daily activity is not an intervention, even if it can occasionally and randomly contribute to the health of certain individuals. Occupational activities and treatments for health problems identified by medicine are different.

The following products are not considered NPI:

• Hygiene and beauty products (shampoo, toothpaste, brush, body cream, etc.)
• Natural products (plants, food, mushrooms, essential oils, etc.)
• Health products (medications, implantable biological materials, dietary supplements, etc.)
• Medical devices (artificial organs, prosthetics, orthotics, digital applications, monitoring systems, etc.)

The following goods and services are not considered NPI:

• Cultural products or services (video games, books, podcasts, artistic practices, museum visits, theater, writing, etc.)
• Everyday consumer products or services (haircuts, aesthetic treatments, dining out, etc.)

The following actions are not considered NPI:

• Public health promotion activities (communication campaigns, videos, posters, booklets, websites, social media posts, etc.)
• Architectural adaptations (creating access ramps, etc.)
• Environmental adaptations (reforestation of a park, creation of a sports workshop, etc.)

The following approaches are not considered NPI:

• Professional disciplines (physiotherapy, psychology, dietetics, public health, etc.)
• Educational approaches (personal development, etc.)
• Esoteric practices (spiritual practices, religious worship, divination, witchcraft, etc.)

The following organizations are not considered NPI :

• Health organizations (networks, platforms, clinics, health centers, healthcare establishments, etc.)
• Health systems (digital platforms, etc.)

The following measures are not considered NPI :

• Health policies (strategies, plans, programs, etc.)
• Regulations (decrees, laws, etc.)
• Judicial decisions (warnings, convictions, etc.)

The connection between mechanistic, interventional, and implementation studies forms the backbone of the epistemological positioning of the NPIS Model regarding the evaluation of NPI. This does not mean that an interventional study, for example, cannot explore biological mechanisms or psychosocial processes. Instead, this backbone provides coherence to the studies and structures the validation process of NPI for integration into a standardized practice framework.

NPI are a field in which many amalgamations occur between scientific knowledge and opinion, due to their objective—human health—and their operational mode, which involves immaterial protocols. However, it is essential to learn to distinguish science from research amidst the multiplication of tools and information channels (Klein, 2020), particularly on the subject of NPI. The same communication channels transmit both scientific knowledge and beliefs, opinions, comments... Information of different statuses becomes intertwined. Knowledge can turn into the belief of a particular community, and vice versa.

Research, on the other hand, pertains to questions for which we do not yet have answers. These well-defined questions still have no answer. A researcher works on the subject using various methods and strategies. Research fosters doubt. Scientific societies work to advance research within a specific territory and theme.

Given that NPI are universal health protocols centered on individuals and administered by humans, an international multidisciplinary scientific society needed to be created. This has been achieved since 2021. This society is called the Non-Pharmacological Intervention Society (NPIS).

Immaterial practices of prevention and care have existed since ancient times. However, the diversification of practices, the multiplication of professions at the intersection of prevention, care, and social assistance, and the globalization of information systems have leveled these services and obscured them at a time when medicine has made significant advances in the early detection and diagnosis of health issues. The interdisciplinary and multisectoral approach of the NPIS generates a value chain, from the design of practices to their implementation, regulation, and financing.

Innovative economic model initiatives are emerging worldwide, including fee-for-service, bundled payments, social economy provisions, offers promoting sustainable development, e-health economy and long-term economy (World Economic Forum, 2024). The NPIS Prospective Pole documents these initiatives in books (Noguès, 2022; Noguès, 2024). The NPIS Forums invite all innovators to share their experiences.

Accessible Protocols in Consultation

• Enhanced the quality and safety of existing practices through formalization and harmonization.
• Integration of NPI into healthcare management softwares.
• Access to documentation from computers, tablets, or smartphones for ease of use.
• Quick and easy access to information at critical decision-making moments for prevention and care.
• Simplifies the follow-up and implementation of NPI (e.g., identifying barriers, professional leadership, availability of training and support).

Quality Control and Adherence to Protocols

• Improves traceability by using unique coded protocols.
• Strengthened the relationship between care givers and patients.
• Provides tools for tracking key performance indicators.
• Serves as an educational resource for ongoing professional development.
• Incorporates regular updates based on user feedback.

Means of Valuation

• Addresses problems identified by healthcare teams in a specific territory.
• Expands the roles of many professionals, particularly non-physicians.
• Phases out protocols that are ineffective, hazardous, or expensive.
• Decreases the need for multiple meetings focused on intervention planning.
• Boosting professionals' confidence to experiment new practices.
• Ensures appropriate financial and resources allocation for effective implementation.

The choice and implementation of an NPI at a given moment in a person's prevention and care journey do not depend on the NPI Registry, nor on the mission of the NPIS. These decisions are influenced by individual health situations, preferences, the availability of professionals, the qualifications of practitioners, accessibility in a given area, and socio-cultural contexts. The art of combining NPI with each other and with other health solutions at the right time lies with professionals, expert systems, interdisciplinary organizations, and the healthcare system in place in a specific country. The NPI Registry highlights essential practices that have proven effective and continue to evolve through research and feedback analysis. The NPIS has no authority to impose a choice of NPI. Each professional is free to follow them, to pursue others, or to create new ones. The same applies to each healthcare organization.