A pilot study carried out in the USA has found acupuncture monotherapy to be safe, well-tolerated and effective, in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Thirty outpatients with MDD received eight weeks of standardised thirty-minute acupuncture treatment. The protocol consisted of manual stimulation at five body points (bilateral Shenmen HT-7, Hegu L.I-.4, Zusanli ST-36, Sanyinjiao SP-6 and Taichong LIV-3), along with concurrent electro-acupuncture at two points on the head (Baihui GV-20 and Yintang M-HN-3). Subjects were assigned to once-weekly or twice-weekly treatment, depending on preference. Depression scores decreased from 19.1 to 9.9 in the once-weekly acupuncture group, and from 21.9 to 14.3 in the twice-weekly acupuncture group (scores of 20 or higher indicate moderately severe depression, 0-7 is considered to be normal). Improvement did not differ significantly between the two treatment arms. Response rates (defined as a greater then 50% improvement in depression scores compared to baseline) were 62% for the once-weekly acupuncture group and 22% for the twice-weekly acupuncture group. (A pilot study of acupuncture monotherapy in patients with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord. 2012 Apr 20. [Epub ahead of print]).
Categories: Psychological / emotional
