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Research: HAN and others,
Listed in Issue 110
Abstract
HAN and others, Department of Acupuncture and Massotherapy, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China, have investigated electro-acupuncture for depression.
Background
The aim of the study was to observe the effects of electro-acupuncture on depression.
Methodology
In this controlled clinical trial, 30 patients with depression were treated by electro-acupuncture on Baihui (GV20), Yintang (EX-HN3) and the differential points. The antidepressant, maprotiline was used in the control group of 31 cases.
Results
After the treatment, the depression scores for both groups were found to be decreased as compared with those before the treatment (p < 0.01), without significant between-group differences (p > 0.05). After the treatment, the two groups all showed decrease in the TCM symptomatic integrals (p < 0.01), with significant between-group differences (p < 0.05), the integral of the treatment group showing superiority to that of the control group. The decrease of the Asberg scores testing the side effects of antidepressants in the treatment group was superior to that of the control group. After the treatment, cortisol levels and endothelin-1 levels were decreased in both groups (p < 0.01), without significant between-group differences (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
Electro-acupuncture can produce the same clinical therapeutic effect as that produced by the tetracyclic drug maprotiline but with less side effects and better symptom improvement.
References
Han C, Li X, Luo H, Zhao X, Li X. Clinical study on electro-acupuncture treatment for 30 cases of mental depression. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 24 (3): 172-176, Sep 2004.
