Acupuncture/electroacupuncture enhances anti-depressant effect of Seroxat: the Symptom Checklist-90 scores

Abstract

One hundred and five patients with primary unipolar depression were randomly divided into three groups: drug group (Seroxat administration), acupuncture group (Seroxat plus acupuncture), and electroacupuncture group (Seroxat plus acupuncture plus electroacupuncture). Patients’ symptoms were evaluated using a psychometric questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist-90, before intervention and after 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks of treatment. The individual factor scores and the total score from the Symptom Checklist-90 reduced in all three groups as treatment progressed. In the acupuncture and electroacupuncture groups, the total score and the factor scores for obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, and anxiety were significantly lower than those in the drug group. There was no significant difference in the factor scores or total scores between the acupuncture and electroacupuncture groups. Some factor scores in the electroacupuncture group, such as somatization, depression, hostility, and phobic anxiety, were increased at 10 weeks compared with the respective score immediately after the course of electroacupuncture at 6 weeks. Our findings indicate that administration of Seroxat alone or in combination with acupuncture/electroacupuncture can produce a significant effect in patients with primary unipolar depression. Furthermore, acupuncture/electroacupuncture has a rapid onset of therapeutic effect and produces a noticeable improvement in obsessive-compulsive, depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Acupuncture for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review

“…For KQ 2 on the effect of needle acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for depressive symptoms, we identified seven RCTs, reported in nine publications, that included depressive symptoms using standardized scales as an outcome (Chen et al, 2014;Duan, Tu, Jiao, and Qin, 2011;Qu et al, 2013;Roschke et al, 2000;Wang, Lu, et al, 2013;Zhang, Ng, et al, 2012;. Four studies provided information on clinical response Duan, Tu, Jiao, and Qin, 2011;Qu et al, 2013;Roschke et al, 2000;, and two provided information on remission (Qu et al, 2013;.…”

“…For KQ 2a, we found five studies that provided information on the frequency and severity of adverse events with adjunctive needle acupuncture used to treat MDD (Chen et al, 2014;Duan, Tu, Jiao, and Qin, 2011;Qu et al, 2013;.…”

Acupuncture for treating chronic stable angina pectoris-associated anxiety and depression

“…Some studies also proved that acupuncture is effective for treating anxiety and depression. [ 18 – 20 ] However, the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for CSAP with anxiety and depression remain unclear. Therefore, we evaluated it through systematic review and meta-analysis.…”

A Interactive Teaching Mode Based on Educational Games – Case Study of Acupuncture Course

“…As a required course of TCM major and rehabilitation therapy major in China, acupuncture is one of important fields for medical colleges to learn and study, and receives more and more attention [1]. Besides, the grasp of acupuncture concerns the inheritance of ancient medical skills.…”

“…Due to many course contents and large coverage of professional knowledge, students need to integrate multidisciplinary knowledge and achieve the span from theory to practice, so students have certain understanding and operation difficulties. It is urgent and especially important to let students combine theory and practice, really master the operation skills of acupuncture for the purpose of application, give play to the characteristic advantages of acupuncture and cultivate TCM talents [2]. At present, classroom teaching is still a general method for acupuncture teaching.…”