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.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.11.058 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Introduction: Available therapies for peripheral nerve injury (PNI) include surgical and non-surgical treatments. Surgical treatment includes neurorrhaphy, grafting (allografts and autografts) and tissue-engineered grafting (artificial nerve guide conduits), while non-surgical treatment methods include electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, laser phototherapy and administration of nerve growth factors. However, the treatments currently available to best manage the different PNI manifestations remain undetermined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Effect of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors in the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
J Cardiovasc Dev Dis
December 2024
Department of Acupuncture, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150006, China.
Background: Xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs) may help prevent stroke. However, heterogeneity can be found in the conclusions of different studies. The relevant evidence was summarized in this systematic review and meta-analysis to further clarify the role of XOIs in the prevention and treatment of stroke, with a focus on evaluating the effects of XOIs in primary and secondary prevention of stroke, acute stroke treatment, and reduction of post-stroke complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEfficacy of different acupuncture-related therapies for tension-type headache: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Front Neurol
December 2024
Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Article Synopsis
- - Tension-type headache (TTH) is a common and challenging health issue, often treated with acupuncture, but the effectiveness of different acupuncture techniques varies significantly, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation.
- - This study systematically analyzed 42 randomized controlled trials involving over 4,100 participants to assess the efficacy and safety of various acupuncture treatments for TTH using advanced statistical methods.
- - Results showed that certain acupuncture combinations, like electro-acupuncture with cupping and manual acupuncture with bloodletting, had notably high responder rates, indicating their potential effectiveness in managing TTH symptoms.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!