An American study suggests that acupuncture may be an effective adjunct to medication in patients with depression who do not respond to anti-depressant medication. Thirty subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) and partial or non-response after ≥8 weeks of anti-depressant therapy were assigned to eight weeks of standardised 30 minute acupuncture sessions on a weekly or twice-weekly basis. Twenty subjects (18 in weekly and 2 in twice-weekly treatment) completed the study. Depression scores decreased in both groups and improvement did not differ significantly between treatment arms (18.5 to 11.2 in the weekly group and 18.5 to 11.8 in the twice-weekly group). Response rates (defined as an improvement of 50% or more in depression scores) were 47% for all subjects – 50% for the weekly group and 33% for the twice-weekly group. (A pilot study of acupuncture augmentation therapy in antidepressant partial and non-responders with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord. 2011 Apr;130(1-2):285-9).
Categories: Psychological / emotional
