. |
| J Altern Complement Med. 2013 May 6. [Epub ahead of print] |
| Effects of Electroacupuncture on Depression and the Production of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Compared with Fluoxetine: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. |
| Effects of Electroacupuncture on Depression and the Production of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Compared with Fluoxetine: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. | |
| PMID: 23647408 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] | |
| 3. | J Clin Oncol. 2012 Dec 20;30(36):4449-50. doi: 10.1200/JCO. |
| Acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. | [J Clin Oncol. 2012]Acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.Molassiotis A, Bardy J, Finnegan-John J, Mackereth P, Ryder DW, Filshie J, Ream E, Richardson A. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Dec 20; 30(36):4470-6. Epub 2012 Oct 29.
Acupuncture for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
Andreescu C, Glick RM, Emeremni CA, Houck PR, Mulsant BH.
Source
Department of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Over 50% of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) either do not tolerate or do not respond to antidepressant medications. Several preliminary studies have shown the benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of depression. We sought to determine whether a 2-point electroacupuncture protocol (verum acupuncture) would be beneficial for MDD, in comparison to needling at nonchannel scalp points with sham electrostimulation (control acupuncture).
METHOD:
Fifty-three subjects aged 18-80 years, recruited via advertisement or referral, were included in the primary analysis of our randomized controlled trial, which was conducted from March 2004 through May 2007 at UPMC Shadyside, Center for Complementary Medicine, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Inclusion criteria were mild or moderate MDD (according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders) and a score of 14 or higher on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Exclusion criteria included severe MDD, seizure disorder or risk for seizure disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder, chronic MDD, treatment-resistent MDD, and history of substance abuse in the prior 6 months. Patients were randomized to receive twelve 30-minute sessions of verum versus control acupuncture over 6 to 8 weeks. The HDRS was the primary outcome measure. The UKU Side Effect Rating Scale was used to assess for adverse effects.
RESULTS:
Twenty-eight subjects were randomized to verum electroacupuncture and 25 to control acupuncture. The 2 groups did not differ with regard to gender, age, or baseline severity of depression. Both groups improved, with mean (SD) absolute HDRS score decreases of -6.6 (5.9) in the verum group and -7.6 (6.6) in the control group, corresponding to 37.5% and 41.3% relative decreases from baseline. There were no serious adverse events associated with either intervention, and endorsement of adverse effects was similar in the 2 groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
We were unable to demonstrate a specific effect of electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture and control acupuncture were equally well tolerated, and both resulted in similar absolute and relative improvement in depressive symptoms as measured by the HDRS.
Sleep. 2011 Jun 1;34(6):807-15. doi: 10.5665/SLEEP.1056.
Electroacupuncture for residual insomnia associated with major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
Yeung WF, Chung KF, Tso KC, Zhang SP, Zhang ZJ, Ho LM.
Source
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture as an additional treatment for residual insomnia associated with major depressive disorder (MDD).
DESIGN:
Randomized, placebo-controlled.
SETTING:
A psychiatric outpatient clinic.
PARTICIPANTS:
78 Chinese patients with DSM-IV-diagnosed MDD, insomnia complaint, a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS(17)) score ≤ 18, and fixed antidepressant dosage.
INTERVENTION:
Electroacupuncture, minimal acupuncture (superficial needling at non-acupuncture points), or noninvasive placebo acupuncture 3 sessions weekly for 3 weeks.
MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS:
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), HDRS(17), 1 week sleep diaries, and 3 day actigraphy were administered at baseline, 1 week post-treatment, and 4 week post-treatment. There was significant group by time interaction in ISI, PSQI, and sleep diary-derived sleep efficiency (mixed-effects models, P = 0.04, P = 0.03, and P = 0.01, respectively). Post hoc pairwise comparisons revealed that electroacupuncture and minimal acupuncture were more efficacious than placebo acupuncture in ISI and PSQI at 1 week and 4 week post-treatment. Minimal acupuncture resulted in greater improvement in sleep diary-derived sleep efficiency than placebo acupuncture at 1 week post-treatment. There was no significant between-group difference in actigraphy measures, depressive symptoms, daily functioning, and hypnotic consumption, and no difference in any measures between electroacupuncture and minimal acupuncture.
CONCLUSION:
Compared with placebo acupuncture, electroacupuncture and minimal acupuncture resulted in greater improvement in subjective sleep measures at 1 week and 4 week post-treatment. No significant difference was found between electroacupuncture and minimal acupuncture, suggesting that the observed differences could be due to nonspecific effects of needling, regardless of whether it is done according to traditional Chinese medicine theory.
A CASE OF SEVERE CHRONIC DEPRESSION TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE
W. LINDSAY JACOB, M.D.
ABSTRACT--The following is a case of severe manic depressive illness characterized primarily by depression, which had not responded to psychotherapy nor to psychotropic drugs, yet had an excellent response to acupuncture. Depression and mania have traditionally been treated with acupuncture by Chinese physicians.
The patient is a 30 year old, single, white female who first consulted with me in 1987. She was referred by her psychologist after having been treated unsuccessfully in one of the local psychiatric hospitals. For the next two years the patient was treated twice a week with psychological counseling by her psychologist and came to this practice for medication (1200 mg of lithium carbonate per day, 50-150 mg of amitriptyline at night, and occasionally hypnotics such as lorazepam when necessesary)(1,2). Although the patient managed to work through much of this time, the treatment was, however, largely unsuccessful and usually resulted in significant side effects from the medications. During this time she was hospitalized twice at a major psychiatric facility, receiving on one occasion a series of electro-shock treatments (3). She was also given an endo-crinological work-up to rule out any hormonal causes contributing to her depression (4).
On August 22, 1989 she was started on a series of acupuncture treatments consisting of electrical stimulation between points Baihui (GV-20) and Yintang, at a frequency of 1.5 hertz, as described by Dr. J.S. Han, professor and leading researcher at the University of Beijing, China (5). Treatment sessions were given twice a week, for approximately one hour. By October 13,1989, a gradual reduction of her lithium and amitriptyline was started. Acupuncture treatments continued on a weekly basis. On December 29, 1989, the patient discontinued all of her medications, her mood was normal and she noticed great improvement in her sleeping habits. In addition to being treated with electrical stimulation at points Baihui (GV-20) and Yintang, points GB-38, LR-3 and LR-5 were used in conjuction with the auricular points Sympathetic and Liver. During the course of her acupuncture treatment, the patient would occasionally shift to symptoms of mild mania, which were well controlled by using GB-38, SP-6 and KI-6, in addition to the auricular point Shen Men and, on occasions, HT-7. At present the patient is back to work full time. Her elevated mood has allowed her to respond better to psychotherapy and her overall improvement has been remarkable.
FIVE-ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE
FOR HUSBAND-WIFE IMBALANCE
AND BIPOLAR DISORDER
Charles A. Moss, MD
ABSTRACT
The Law of Husband-Wife, a component of Five-Element acupuncture, illustrates the energy balance between the Elements, represented in the left (Husband) and right (Wife) radial artery pulses. Often patients with chronic and/or severe illness or stress manifest disequilibrium of the Husband-Wife balance. The following case report details the identification and treatment of this energy blockage in a patient with bipolar disorder.
J Affect Disord. 2013 Jun;148(2-3):179-87. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2012.11.058. Epub 2013 Jan 19.
Laser acupuncture for depression: A randomised double blind controlled trial using low intensity laser intervention.
Quah-Smith I, Smith C, Crawford JD, Russell J.
Source
School of Psychiatry University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: quahsmith@gmail.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Trials of acupuncture for the treatment of depression have produced mixed results. We examined the effectiveness of laser acupuncture compared with placebo acupuncture for the treatment of major depression.
METHODS:
A randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled trial was conducted in Sydney, Australia. Participants aged 18-50 years with DSM-IV major depressive disorder were eligible to join the study. Forty-seven participants were randomised to receive laser acupuncture or placebo laser at acupoints LR14, CV14, LR8, HT7 and KI3. The intervention was administered twice a week for 4 weeks and once a week for another four weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. The primary outcome assessed the change in severity of depression using the Hamilton-Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and secondary outcomes assessed the change in severity of depression using the Quick Inventory for Depression-Self Reporting (QID-SR), the Quick Inventory for Depression-Clinician (QIDS-CL), with outcomes assessed at eight weeks. The treatment response (greater than 50% improvement in HAM-D) and remission (HAM-D<8) were analysed.
RESULTS:
At eight weeks participants showed greater improvement in the active laser group on the primary and clinician-rated secondary outcome measures (HAM-D (mean 9.28 (SD 6.55) vs. mean 14.14 (SD 4.78 p<0.001); QIDS-CL (mean 8.12 (SD 6.61 versus 12.68 (mean SD 3.77)) p<0.001). The self-report QIDS-SR scores improved in both groups but did not differ significantly between the groups. In the active laser group, QIDS-SR scores remained significantly lower than baseline at 3 months follow-up. Response rates (active laser, placebo laser) on ITT (intention to treat) analyses were 72.0% and 18.2% (p<0.001), respectively. Remission rates on ITT analyses (active laser, placebo laser) were 56.0% and 4.5% (p<0.001). Transient fatigue was the only adverse effect reported.
LIMITATIONS:
There was no follow-up for the placebo group at one and 3 months.
CONCLUSION:
Laser acupuncture showed a clinically and statistically significant benefit with reducing symptoms of depression on objective measures.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Brain Cogn. 2009 Dec;71(3):354-61. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2009.06.006. Epub 2009 Aug 12.
Neural correlates of traditional Chinese medicine induced advantageous risk-taking decision making.
Lee TM, Guo LG, Shi HZ, Li YZ, Luo YJ, Sung CY, Chan CC, Lee TM.
Source
Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract
This fMRI study examined the neural correlates of the observed improvement in advantageous risk-taking behavior, as measured by the number of adjusted pumps in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), following a 60-day course of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recipe, specifically designed to regulate impulsiveness in order to modulate risk-taking behavior. The 14 participants recruited for this study were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups and the TCM recipe (Panax, 520 mg; Astragalus membranaceous Bunge, 520 mg; Masnetitum, 840 mg; Ostrea gigas Thumb, 470 mg; Thinleaf Milkwort Root Radix Polygalae, 450 mg; and Os Draconis, 470 mg) was administered, as a diet supplement, to the seven participants in the experimental group. The neural activity of the two groups was monitored by a 3T MRI scanner, before and after the 60-day treatment. Associated with the improved advantageous risk-taking behavior seen in the experimental group, significantly stronger blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) responses were observed in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), left putamen, left thalamus, right insula, and right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), regions which have previously been reported as being involved in risk-taking decision making. The effect of the TCM in improving advantageous risk-taking decision making appears to have been related to the enhanced efficiency of the cognitive affective system, the PFC-ACC-insula-striatum network, which functions to inhibit impulsiveness, to sensitize reward-related information, and to allow the opportunity, during risk estimation, to evaluate potential gains and losses. The findings of this study suggest that interventions acting on factors modulating risk-taking decision making could have a beneficial effect in terms of optimizing risk-taking behavior.
J Altern Complement Med. 2013 May 6. [Epub ahead of print]
Effects of Electroacupuncture on Depression and the Production of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Compared with Fluoxetine: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2013 Jun;38(3):253-8.
[Progress of researches on mechanisms of acupuncture underlying improvement of depression in the past five years].
[Article in Chinese]
Hu L, Liang J, Jin SY, Han YJ, Lu J, Tu Y.
Source
School of Acu-moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
Abstract
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that has a negative effect on the patient's thoughts, behavior, feelings, and physical well-being. In the past five years, a significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of acupuncture therapy for improving depression. In the present paper, the authors summarize mechanisms of acupuncture for depression from 1) upregulating levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid, 5-HT, receptor binding, and hypothalamic neuropeptide Y, beta-endorphine, and mu-receptor expression, and down-regulating hippocampal glutamate content, etc.; 2) upregulating expression of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein and mRNA and its receptor TrkB, and activating adenyl cyclase-cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway; 3) increasing hippocampal growth-associated protein 43 level and suppressing hippocampal c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation and cellular apoptosis; 4) upregulating expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (activating glia cells); 5) regulating activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and hypothalamus-pituitary-sex gland axis; 6) down-regulating serum IL-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. Moreover, the authors also put forward some suggestions about the further research on the mechanisms of acupuncture intervention for depression in the future.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:894096. Epub 2013 Nov 12.
Continuous Auricular Electroacupuncture Can Significantly Improve Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Scores in Patients with Depression: First Results from a Transcontinental Study.
Shi X, Litscher G, Wang H, Wang L, Zhao Z, Litscher D, Tao J, Gaischek I, Sheng Z.
Source
Department of Acupuncture, People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate the impact and acceptability of providing continuous auricular electroacupuncture as an adjunct to conventional medications for patients with depression. Ten patients with a mean age ± SD of 43.3 ± 10.4 years were able to provide informed consent. The quantitative and qualitative outcome measures were heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and different clinical scores. The study documented that a special kind of auricular electro acupuncture, applied over a period of three days, can improve various aspects of quality of life significantly but also highlighted the significant increase of HRV whilst having acupuncture treatment. In conclusion, our study shows stimulation-related and quantifiable clinical and physiological alterations in parameters after continuous auricular acupoint stimulation in patients with depression. Improved access to electro acupuncture treatment would be of major benefit for these patients. Further studies are necessary in order to verify the gained results.
Acupunct Med. 2014 Apr 29. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2013-010469. [Epub ahead of print]
Acupuncture combined with an antidepressant for patients with depression in hospital: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.
Wang T1, Wang L, Tao W, Chen L.
Author information
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for patients with depression in hospital using a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.
METHODS:
76 patients with depression were randomly divided into two groups (randomisation ratio 2:1 for treatment and control groups (CGs), respectively) and 71 patients completed the study. The 45 patients in the treatment group (TG) underwent acupuncture and received an SSRI and the 26 patients in the CG received an SSRI only. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) was used to quantitatively assess patients after 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment.The mean (SD) baseline total HDRS scores were 22.2 (0.60) and 22.1 (0.33) in the TG and CG, respectively. After the first week of treatment the HDRS score for the TG was reduced to 15.6 (0.81), significantly different from the score of 18.3 (0.55) for the CG, p<0.05. This significant difference was maintained to the end of the 6-week treatment period, when HDRS scores had fallen to 6.3 (0.49) and 8.2 (0.35) for the TG and CG, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Acupuncture combined with an SSRI showed a statistically significant benefit for patients with depression in hospital over the 6-week period compared with SSRIs alone. This reduction in symptoms started in the first week and continued throughout the 6 weeks of treatment.
KEYWORDS:
ACUPUNCTURE
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:369158. doi: 10.1155/2014/369158. Epub 2014 Mar 25.
The Alterations of IL-1Beta, IL-6, and TGF-Beta Levels in Hippocampal CA3 Region of Chronic Restraint Stress Rats after Electroacupuncture (EA) Pretreatment.
Guo T1, Guo Z1, Yang X1, Sun L1, Wang S1, Yingge A2, He X3, Ya T1.
Author information
Abstract
Immunological reactions induced by proinflammatory cytokines have been involved in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. Recent studies showed that Electroacupuncture (EA) was able to reduce depressive symptoms; however, the underlying mechanism and its potential targets remain unknown. In the present study, we used a 21-day chronic restraint stress rats as a model to investigate how EA could alleviate depression. Open field test was carried out to evaluate the depressive symptoms at selected time points. At the end of study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TGF-beta in hippocampal CA3 region. We found that chronic restraint stress significantly decreased behavioral activities, whereas EA stimulation at points Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (GV 29) showed protective effect during the test period. In addition, the IL-1beta, IL-6, and TGF-beta increased in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress, while EA downregulated the levels of IL-1beta and IL-6. These findings implied that EA pretreatment could alleviate depression through modulating IL-1beta and IL-6 expression levels in hippocampal CA3 region.
PMID: 24795767 [PubMed]
BMJ Open. 2014 May 2;4(5):e004964. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-004964.
Acupuncture, counselling or usual care for depression and comorbid pain: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.
Hopton A1, Macpherson H, Keding A, Morley S.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Depression with comorbid pain is associated with a poor response to various treatments. The objective in this secondary analysis was to determine whether patients reporting pain have different depression and pain outcomes over time in response to acupuncture, counselling or usual care.
METHODS:
Self-reported ratings of depression and pain from 755 patients in a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of acupuncture (302) or counselling (302) compared to usual care alone (151) are described and analysed using a series of regression models and analysis of covariance. Patient-reported outcomes of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 for depression, SF36 bodily pain and EQ-5D, all at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.
RESULTS:
At baseline, 755 patients reported EQ-5D pain categories; 384 (50.9%) reported moderate-to-extreme pain. Controlling for baseline depression, a linear regression model showed that the presence of pain at baseline was associated with poorer depression outcomes at 3 months mean difference=-1.16, (95% CI 0.12 to 2.2). Participants with moderate-to-extreme pain at baseline did better at 3 months if they received acupuncture (mean reduction in Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) from baseline=6.0, 95% CI 5.0 to 7.1 and a mean reduction in SF-36 bodily pain=11.2, (95% CI 7.1 to 15.2) compared to improvements for those who received counselling (4.3, 95% CI 3.3 to 5.4; 7.6, 95% CI 3.6 to 11.6) or usual care (2.7, 95% CI 1.50 to 4.0: 7.2, 95% CI 2.3 to 12.1). In comparison, no notable differences were seen between treatment arms within the no pain comparator group.
CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with depression and pain at baseline recovered less well from treatment over 3 months than those with depression and no pain. Reductions in both depression and pain were most marked in the acupuncture group, followed by the counselling group and then the usual care group.
KEYWORDS:
Acupuncture, Comorbid pain, Counselling, Depression, Usual Care
PLoS One. 2014 Oct 27;9(10):e111100. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111100. eCollection 2014.
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Triggers Melatonin Secretion and Is Antidepressive in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats.
Li S1, Zhai X2, Rong P2, McCabe MF3, Zhao J2, Ben H2, Wang X4, Wang S5.
Author information
Abstract
Decreased circulating melatonin is implicated in depression. We recently found that Zucker diabetic fatty rats (ZDF, fa/fa) develop depression-like behaviors and that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is antidepressive in ZDF rats. Here we studied whether the ZDF rats could be used as a depression rodent model and whether the antidepressive effect of taVNS is mediated through modulation of melatonin secretion. Adult male ZDF and Zucker lean (ZL, fa/+) littermates were used. 30 min-taVNS procedures (2/15 Hz, 2 mA) were administered once daily under anesthesia for 34 consecutive days in pineal intact ZDF (n = 8) and ZL (n = 6) rats, as well as in pinealectomized ZDF rats (n = 8). Forced swimming test (FST) was used to determine depression-like behavior and ELISA to detect plasma melatonin concentration on day 35. We found that naïve ZDF rats had a longer immobility time in FST and that long-term (34 days) taVNS treatment ameliorated the depression-like behavior. In both pineal intact and pinealectomized ZDF rats, taVNS induced acute melatonin secretion, both during and after the taVNS session. A low melatonin level is related to the poor FST performance in ZDF rats (R = -0.544) in contrast to ZL rats (R = 0.247). In conclusion, our results show that ZDF rats are ideal candidates of innate depression and that taVNS is antidepressive through triggering melatonin secretion and increasing its production.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Oct 28;13:288. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-288.
Electroacupuncture upregulates ERK signaling pathways and promotes adult hippocampal neural progenitors proliferation in a rat model of depression.
Yang L, Yue N, Zhu X, Han Q, Liu Q, Yu J1, Wu G.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
In this study, we investigate the proliferation of adult neural stem cells (NSCs) in a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) rat model of depression, the effects of electroacupunture (EA) on depressive-like symptoms and the corresponding signaling pathways.
METHODS:
SD rats were subjected to 4 weeks of CUS to induce depressive-like behaviors. EA was performed at the Du-20 (Bai-Hui) and GB-34 (Yang-Ling-Quan) acupoints. Rats were injected with BrdU and the brains were cut into sections. Double-labeling with BrdU/Sox2 and p-ERK/Nestin was performed to demonstrate the in vivo proliferation of adult NSCs in hippocampus and ERK activation in NSCs. Hippocampal microdialysates of different groups were collected to observe the in vitro effects on NSCs.
RESULTS:
After 8 treatments, EA generated a clear antidepressant effect on the stressed rats and promoted the NSC proliferation. ERK activation might be involved in the antidepressant-like effects of EA treatment. Hippocampal microdialysates from EA-treated stressed rats influenced NSCs to form larger neural spheres and exhibit higher p-ERK level in vitro, compared to the untreated stressed rats. Meanwhile, the antidepressant-like effects of EA involved contribution from both acupoint specificity and electrical stimulus.
CONCLUSIONS:
EA might interfere with the hippocampal microenvironment and enhance the activation of ERK signaling pathways. This could mediate, at least in part, the beneficial effects of EA on NSC proliferation and depressive-like behaviors.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:179796. doi: 10.1155/2014/179796. Epub 2014 Oct 30.
Alteration of behavioral changes and hippocampus galanin expression in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression rats and effect of electroacupuncture treatment.
Mo Y1, Yao H1, Song H2, Wang X1, Chen W1, Abulizi J1, Xu A1, Tang Y3, Han X1, Li Z1.
Author information
Abstract
To explore new noninvasive treatment options for depression, this study investigated the effects of electric acupuncture (EA) for depression rat models. Depression in rats was induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) combined with isolation for 21 days. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups: control, model, and EA groups. Rats were treated by EA once daily for 21 days. The results showed that body weight and sucrose consumption were significantly increased in EA group than in the model group. The crossing numbers and rearing numbers in the open field test significantly decreased in the model group but not in the EA group. And EA treatments upregulated levels of hippocampus galanin (Gal) in UCMS rats back to relative normal levels. The present study suggested that EA had antidepressant effects on UCMS model rats. The potential antidepressant effect may be related to upregulating Gal expression in hippocampus.
J Affect Disord. 2015 Jan 28;176C:106-117. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.01.048. [Epub ahead of print]
The benefit of combined acupuncture and antidepressant medication for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chan YY1, Lo WY2, Yang SN3, Chen YH4, Lin JG5.
Author information
Abstract
Acupuncture, one of the most popular complementary therapies, is best known for its ability to provide pain relief. Accumulating evidence suggests that acupuncture may also be beneficial in depression, although its effectiveness remains uncertain in this condition. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized trials in which the effects of acupuncture combined with antidepressant medications were compared with those of antidepressant medications alone in adults with a diagnosed depressive disorder. Thirteen randomized controlled trials involving 1046 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Our results confirmed that the pooled standardized mean difference of the 'endpoint scores of the 17-item Hamilton rating scale for depression' was -3.74 (95% CI, -4.77 to -2.70, p<0.001) in week 1 and -2.52 (95% CI, -4.12 to -0.92; p<0.01) in week 6, indicating a significant difference in favor of acupuncture combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Moreover, therapeutic response rates were statistically significantly different between the two groups (risk ratio [RR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.39; p<0.001; I2=68%) in favor of the combined treatment group. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that acupuncture combined with antidepressant medication is effective, has an early onset of action, safe and well-tolerated over the first 6-week treatment period. Moreover, this treatment combination appears to result in greater therapeutic efficacy than SSRI therapy alone. More high-quality randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the clinical benefit and long-term effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of depression.
Glob J Health Sci. 2014 Dec 17;7(4):43413. doi: 10.5539/gjhs.v7n4p40.
Mood changes by self-administered acupressure in Japanese college students: a randomized controlled trial.
Horiuchi S1, Tsuda A, Honda Y, Kobayashi H, Naruse M, Tsuchiyagaito A.
Author information
Abstract
The aim of this 2-week study was to examine the effects of self-administered acupressure intervention onlevels of mood of 54 students (34 males and 20 females) majoring in acupuncture and moxibustion medicineat a college located in Fukuoka, Japan. Eligibility criteria were the ability to complete the intervention accurately and no history of psychiatric diseases. The students were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: an intervention group (IG, n = 28) and a control group (CG, n = 26). The IG participants completed fiveacupressure sessions three times a day (morning, noon, and night), involving the application of pressure to six acupuncture points (GB12, SI17, and LI18 according to 2008 World Health OrganizationRegional Office in the Western Pacific standard), three on the left and three on the right side of the neck for 5 s each. The CG participants were requested to spend their time as usual. Self-reported levels of tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, vigor, fatigue, and confusion over the past week were measured before and after the study as the main outcomes. Side effects were not predicted and not assessed. The retention rate of this trial was 100%. Improvements in mood, defined as a change from baseline to 2 weeks later, were significantly greater in IG. Our results showed that self-administered intervention had the ability to alter mood levels in college students.
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2015 Mar;35(3):299-303.
[Effect of acupuncture on early onset of SSRIs treating depressive disorder and related indicators of neuroimmunology].
[Article in Chinese]
Liu Y, Feng H, Mo YL, Liu WJ, Song MF, Wang SD, Yin Y.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the intervention effect of acupuncture on early onset of selec- tive serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating depressive disorder, and to study its effect on ser- um 5-HT and unbalanced inflammatory cytokines secreted by TH1/TH2.
METHODS:
Totally 90 patients with depressive disorder were randomly assigned to the drug control group (as the control group, 45 cases) and the acupuncture combined drug treatment group (as the treatment group, 45 cases). All patients were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. Another 45 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. The effect of acupuncture on early onset of SSRls in treating acute phase depressive disorder pa- tients was evaluated by HAMD score in the control group and the treatment group before treatment,and at weekends of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week after treatment. Besides, their serum levels of 5-HT, IL-1β and IL-6 (secreted by TH1), and IL-4 and IL-10 (secreted by TH2) were detected before treatment and after treatment at the weekend of the 4th week.
RESULTS:
Compared with the healthy control group,serum lev- els of 5-HT, IL-4, and IL-10 decreased in the two drug-treated groups before treatment (P < 0.01); serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 increased (P <0.01). Compared with before treatment in the same group, HAMD score decreased in the control group at weekends of the 2nd and the 4th week after treatment (P < 0.01); HAMD scores decreased in the treatment group at weekends of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd,and 4th week after treatment (P < 0.01); serum levels of 5-HT, IL-4, and IL-10 increased,serum levels of IL-1β and IL- 6 decreased in the two drug-treated groups after treatment (all P < 0.01). Compared with the control group at the same time point,HAMD scores decreased in the treatment group at weekends of the 1st, 2nd,3rd,and 4th week after treatment (P < 0.01),serum levels of 5-HT, IL-4, and IL-10 increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum levels of IL-6 decreased (P < 0. 01).
CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture could accelerate early onset of SSRIs in treating acute phase depressive disorder, and effectively regulate serum 5-HT levels and inflammatory cytokines secreted by TH1/TH2.
Effects of Acupuncture on Anxiety Levels and Prefrontal Cortex Activity Measured by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: A Pilot Study.
Sakatani K1,2, Fujii M3, Takemura N4, Hirayama T5.
Author information
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that acupuncture is useful in treating somatic and psychological disorders caused by stress; however, the physiological basis of the effect remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of acupuncture on psychological conditions (i.e., anxiety) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity. We studied 10 patients with anxiety disorders and measured anxiety levels by means of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), including state anxiety (STAI-1) and trait anxiety (STAI-2). Employing a two-channel NIRS device, we measured oxy-Hb concentration in the bilateral PFC at rest, and evaluated asymmetry of the PFC activity by calculating the Laterality Index at Rest (LIR). The patients were treated by acupuncture at Yui Clinic in Osaka. The treatment significantly decreased the STAI-1 score (p < 0.001), but not the STAI-2 score (p > 0.05). The NIRS measurements indicated the presence of spontaneous oscillations of oxy-Hb in the bilateral PFC at rest before and after the treatment. Notably LIR decreased significantly in 7 out of the 10 subjects (p < 0.01), while 3 subjects showed an increasing tendency. The present pilot study indicates that acupuncture is effective in decreasing anxiety levels in patients with anxiety disorders. Our NIRS data suggest that acupuncture may alter the balance of PFC activity at rest, resulting in relaxation effects. Our NIRS data suggest that acupuncture changes the balance of PFC activity toward left-dominant, resulting in relaxation effects on the patients.
KEYWORDS:
Acupuncture; Depression; NIRS; Prefrontal cortex; Stress
Front Hum Neurosci. 2016 May 17;10:230. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00230. eCollection 2016.
Modulation of the Default Mode Network in First-Episode, Drug-Naïve Major Depressive Disorder via Acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) Acupoint.
Deng D1, Liao H1, Duan G1, Liu Y2, He Q3, Liu H4, Tang L4, Pang Y4, Tao J4.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Previous neuroimaging studies have revealed that acupuncture modulates the default mode network (DMN) in healthy subjects and patients with certain disorder. However, few studies have been performed to investigate whether or not acupuncture might modulate the DMN in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Thereby, the aim of the present study was to assess alterations of the DMN induced by acupuncture stimulation in patients with first-episode, drug-naïve MDD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Twenty nine patients with first-episode, drug-naïve MDD and 29 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. All the healthy subjects underwent 6-min resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) scan. While patients underwent acupuncture stimulation for 20-min electro-acupuncture stimulation (EAS) at Baihui acupoint (GV20) and two 6-min R-fMRI scans before and after EAS. Based on the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PC/PCC) as the seed region, functional connectivity (FC) method was adopted to examine abnormal DMN in patients by comparing with healthy subjects and to evaluate the influence of EAS on intrinsic connectivity within the DMN in patients with MDD.
RESULTS:
Compared to healthy subjects, MDD patients had abnormal DMN. Moreover, results showed that EAS at GV20 induced increased FC between the PC/PCC and bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and decreased FC between the PC/PCC and left middle prefrontal cortex, left angualr gyrus and bilateral hippocampus/parahippocampus (HIPP/paraHIPP) in patients with MDD, which were the main brain regions showing significant differences between the patients and healthy subjects.
CONCLUSION:
Our findings provide imaging evidence to support that GV20-related acupuncture stimulation may modulate the DMN in patients with first-episode, drug-naïve MDD. This study may partly interpret the neural mechanisms of acupuncture at GV20 which is used to treat patients with MDD in clinical.
Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016 Jun 1;12:1281-6. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S107535. eCollection 2016.
Chronic depression treated successfully with novel taping therapy: a new approach to the treatment of depression.
Han CH1, Hwang HS2, Lee YJ3, Lee SN4, Abanes JJ5, Lee BH6.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Despite improved research in the treatment, depression remains difficult to treat. Till date, successful treatment of depression using taping therapy has not been known yet. We report cases where patients with severe depressive symptoms were successfully treated by taping therapy, a new approach.
METHODS:
In case 1, a patient was taking several psychiatric medications for 10 years and admitted often to the psychiatric hospital with a leaning head, flexible legs, and nearly closed eyes; in case 2, a patient after a hysterectomy complained with heart palpitations, depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, insomnia, and gastrointestinal problems; and in case 3, a patient with complaints of adverse effects from antidepressant medications had suicidal thoughts frequently. The medical tapes were placed on acupoints, trigger points, and pain points found by finger pressing examination in the chest, sides, and upper back of the patients.
RESULTS:
In case 1, the patient started weeping immediately after the first treatment. He discontinued psychiatric drugs and returned to baseline functioning after 2 months. In case 2, the patient felt at ease showing decreased palpitation immediately after the first treatment, and after 1 week, she quit medications. In case 3, the patient experienced a sense of calmness following the first treatment and recovered from her symptoms after 2 weeks.
CONCLUSION:
These results suggest the following key points: examination of acupoints and trigger points of chest, sides, and upper back is useful in the assessment of depression; regulating bioelectric currents on these points is helpful in the treatment of depression; and depression can be treated successfully with taping therapy.
Explore (NY). 2016 Aug 18. pii: S1550-8307(16)30106-9. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2016.08.001. [Epub ahead of print]
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Nonrandomized Trials of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for the Treatment of Depression.
Nelms JA1, Castel L2.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Among a group of therapies collectively known as energy psychology (EP), emotional freedom techniques (EFT) is the most widely practiced. Clinical EFT is an evidence-based practice combining elements of cognitive and exposure therapies with the manual stimulation of acupuncture points (acupoints). Lacking is a recent quantitative meta-analysis that enhances understanding of the variability and clinical significance of outcomes after clinical EFT treatment in reducing depression.
METHODS:
All studies (2005-2015) evaluating EFT for sufferers of depression were identified by electronic search; these included both outcome studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Our focus was depressive symptoms as measured by a variety of psychometric questionnaires and scales. We used meta-analysis to calculate effect sizes at three time points including posttest, follow-ups less than 90 days, and follow-ups more than 90 days.
RESULTS:
In total, 20 studies were qualified for inclusion, 12 RCTs and 8 outcome studies. The number of participants treated with EFT included N = 461 in outcome studies and N = 398 in RCTs. Clinical EFT showed a large effect size in the treatment of depression in RCTs. At posttest, Cohen׳s d for RCTs was 1.85 and for outcome studies was 0.70. Effect sizes for follow-ups less than 90 days were 1.21, and for ≥ 90 days were 1.11. EFT were more efficacious than diaphragmatic breathing (DB) and supportive interview (SI) in posttest measurements (P = .06 versus DB, P < .001 versus SI), and sleep hygiene education (SHE) at follow-up (P = .036). No significant treatment effect difference between EFT and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) was found. EFT were superior to treatment as usual (TAU), and efficacious in treatment time frames ranging from 1 to 10 sessions. The mean of symptom reductions across all studies was -41%.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results show that Clinical EFT were highly effective in reducing depressive symptoms in a variety of populations and settings. EFT were equal or superior to TAU and other active treatment controls. The posttest effect size for EFT (d = 1.31) was larger than that measured in meta-analyses of antidepressant drug trials and psychotherapy studies. EFT produced large treatment effects whether delivered in group or individual format, and participants maintained their gains over time. This meta-analysis extends the existing literature through facilitation of a better understanding of the variability and clinical significance of depression improvement subsequent to EFT treatment.