Trends of Tuina Therapy on Depression and Its Efficacy -based on CNKI-

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the research about using tuina therapy for depression and to determine its efficacy. Methods: All relevant articles were searched in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure using the terms `tuina` and `depression`. Results: Forty-one studies were selected, 34 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 7 prospective studies. The Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used most frequently as diagnostic criteria and an assessment tool, respectively. Conduction exercise therapy was used in all studies; in contrast, Zheng Xing exercise therapy was used in only 1 study of depression patients with neck vertebrae disease. In 9 RCTs that showed scores of more than 2 points on a modified Jadad scale, tuina therapy had significant antidepressant efficacy compared with conventional treatment. However, more high-quality studies are required. Conclusions: Tuina therapy has a valid therapeutic effect on depression according to studies published in China; if evidence accumulates from high-quality studies, it can be considered a non-pharmacologic treatment for depression in Korean medicine, as well.