Impacts of acupuncture and moxibustion on outcome indices of depression patients' subjective reports

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion on depression based on the outcome indexes of the patient subjective reports. MethodsOne hundred and sixty-three cases of depression conformed to the inclusive standards were randomized into a soothing liver and regulating mind group (group A), an acupoint shallow puncturing group (group B) and a non-acupoint shallow puncturing group (group C). In group A, the conventional acupuncture was applied to the four gate points [Hégŭ (▪ LI 4) and Tàichōng (▪ LR 3)], Băihuì (▪ GV 20) and Y□ntáng (▪ GV 29), direct moxibustion with moxa cone was applied to the four flower points [Gēshū (▪ BL 17), Dănshū (▪ BL 19)]. Finally, intradermal needling was used at Xīnshū (▪ BL 15) and Gānshū (▪ BL 18). In group B, the acupoints selected were same as those in the soothing liver and regulating mind group, with a shallower needling depth and a shorter duration of moxibustion. In group C, the spots selected were located at 10 mm lateral to the acupoints selected in group A, with same manipulation method as that in group B. In all the three groups, the treatment was given twice a week, for 12 weeks. Before treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment, the scores of symptoms were respectively assessed with the symptom checklist 90 (SCL 90), and the corresponding short-term, mid-term and long-term efficacies of the acupuncture and moxibustion program for soothing the liver and regulating mind were investigated. ResultsAt each time point after treatment, the scores of somatization, compulsion, depression, anxiety, hostility, extremeness, psychotic behavior and other 8 dimensionalities were significantly different between group A and group C (all P<0.05). In the scores of depression, anxiety and hostility there were significant differences between the group A and the group C (all P<0.05). ConclusionAcupuncture and moxibustion can improve the scores of SCL 90 for the patients with depression, and the outcome indexes of the patient subjective reports can accurately assess the clinical efficacy.