Acupuncture In Treatment Of Depression Research Articles

Research progress on the mechanism of acupuncture on depression based on signaling pathway regulation

Depression is high in prevalence rate, recurrence rate and disability rate. Acupuncture is effective on depression. The paper reviewed the regulatory effect of acupuncture on five prominent signaling pathways, i.e. mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, adenyl ate cyclase/cyclic adenosine phosphate/protein kinase (AC/cAMP/PKA) and NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)； and elaborated the structure of each signaling pathway, the association with depression onset, and the relevant research progress of acupuncture in treatment of depression. In view of the regulation of signal pathways, acupuncture can up-regulate AC/cAMP/PKA and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), promote the expression of neurotrophic factors or Bcl-2, prevent from and repair neuronal damage, advance neurogenesis and improve synaptic plasticity； it can modulate the Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signal pathways to protect neurons and increase cell proliferation； and down-regulate JNK and up-regulate NO/cGMP signal pathways to inhibit stress that leads to abnormal apoptosis of neurosis and attenuate neurotoxicity and neuronal damage so that anti-depression of acupuncture is obtained. This review provides a new approach to the mechanism research of acupuncture in treatment of depression through regulating the relevant single pathways.

Evaluation of the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for depression based on CONSORT statement, STRICTA criteria and SHARE checklist

To evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for depression. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed and VIP Database for RCTs of acupuncture in treatment of depression. The search time was from the establishment of database to December 1, 2023, and the language restriction was Chinese and English. The reporting quality of RCTs of acupuncture for depression was evaluated using the CONSORT statement, the international standardization for trial reporting, STRICTA, the international standard for clinical trial interventions of acupuncture, and SHARE, the guideline and checklist for reporting sham acupuncture controls. According to the CONSORT statement items, the items with the reporting rate less than 50% was accounted for 54.05% of all of the items for Chinese articles, and there were 8 and 1 items with a reporting rate of 0% and 100%, respectively. For the English articles, the items with the reporting rate less than 50% was accounted for 35.14% of all of the items, and there were 3 and 7 items with a reporting rate of 0% and 100%, respectively. The reporting rate of 15 items in Chinese and English articles was greater than 50%, e.g. structured abstract, background and purpose. Based on STRICTA criteria, the reporting rate of either Chinese or English articles was relatively high. The items for Chinese articles with the reporting rate less than 50% was accounted for 23.53% of all of the items, and there were 1 and 4 items with a reporting rate of 0% and 100%, respectively. For English articles, the items with the reporting rate less than 50% was accounted for 11.76% of all of the items, and there was 1 item with a reporting rate of either 0% or 100%. In compliance with SHARE checklist, the reporting rate was low for either Chinese or English articles. The items with the reporting rate less than 50% was accounted for 57.89% of all of the items for Chinese articles, and there were 2 and 0 items with a reporting rate of 0% and 100%, respectively. For English articles, the items with the reporting rate less than 50% was accounted for 52.63% of all of the items, and there was 1 item with a reporting rate of 0% and 100%, respectively. The overall reporting quality of RCTs of acupuncture for depression is low currently. It is urgent to enhance the reporting of the details on sham acupuncture control especially. It is suggested that RCTs should be reported strictly in compliance with the CONSORT statement, STRICTA criteria, and SHARE checklist in the future.

Research progress of acupuncture regulating ERK signaling pathway in the treatment of depression.

Acupuncture treatment for depression has definite therapeutic efficacy, and its mechanism has been extensively studied. The extracellular regulatory protein kinase(ERK) signaling pathway is involved in the development and progression of depression. This article reviewed and summarized the research progress on the regulation of the ERK signaling pathway by acupuncture in the treatment of depression in recent years, focusing on the physiological activation and regulatory mechanism of the ERK signaling pathway, its association with the occurrence of depression, and the mechanisms through which acupuncture activates the ERK signaling pathway to treat depression (including enhancing neuronal synaptic plasticity, promoting the release of neurotrophic factors, and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis). Future research could explore the relationship between the ERK pathway and other pathways, investigate other brain regions besides the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, examine differences in regulatory mechanisms between male and female patients, assess the effects of different acupuncture techniques on the ERK pathway, and increase efforts to explore mechanism of synaptic plasticity regulation, so as to provide reference for the clinical application and mechanism sludy of acupuncture in depression treatment.

Antidepressant effects of acupuncture in a murine model: regulation of neurotrophic factors.

GV20 and Yintang are important targets in acupuncture treatment for depression. In this study, we examined the antidepressant effects of simultaneous acupuncture stimulation at GV20 and Yintang. We compared the antidepressant effects of manual acupuncture (MA) stimulation at GV20 and Yintang, compared to acupuncture stimulation at two control point locations on the back of the mice (overlying the spinal column) and imipramine administration in a forced swimming (FS)-induced mouse model of depression, and examined the mRNA and protein expression of neurotrophic factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin (NT)-3, and NT-4/5 in the brains by real-time polymerase chain reaction in two different experimental schedules - preventive (MA given alongside FS modelling) and therapeutic (MA given after FS-induced depression was already established). MA at GV20 and Yintang significantly reduced the immobility time of mice with FS-induced depression in both preventive and therapeutic experimental designs, with effects that were comparable to those of imipramine administration. Immobility time following simultaneous acupuncture stimulation of the two control point locations overlying the spinal column was significantly suppressed only 2 weeks after the start of FS in the preventive effect experiment, and the suppressive effect was significantly lower than that of simultaneous acupuncture stimulation at GV20 and Yintang. In the therapeutic effect experiment, there was no change in the increase in immobility time after the end of FS. MA at GV20 and Yintang significantly increased the expression of BDNF and NT-3 in the preventive evaluation and NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5 in the therapeutic effect evaluation. Our findings suggest that simultaneous acupuncture stimulation at GV20 and Yintang is effective for the prevention and treatment of depression, and the effect likely involves modulation of the expression of multiple neurotrophic factors.

Kampo treatment for low back pain in elderly patients

Purpose: we will prove the clinical effect of acupunctural treatment to anti-depression. Methods: According to the principle of informed consent and the wishes of patients, the participants were divided into two groups, 35 for acupuncture group(acupuncture treatment), 25 for western medicine group(SSRI). Hamilton scales have been evaluated at the 0,1,2,4,6,8,12 weeks period. Results: 1. The significant difference of the effects between the two groups was detected(P 0.05). 2. There was significant difference of the cure rate between two groups(P<0.05),acupuncture group was significantly better than the western medicine group. 3. On HAMD scores of the two groups after treatment in 4,6,8 weeks, significant differences were presented (P<0.05). From the beginning of the fourth week, the HAMD score of acupuncture group was significantly better than the western medicine group. In both of the two groups, there were statistically significant differences between baseline score of HAMD and the score in every treatment period(P<0.05), 4. Significant difference was shown between the two groups in HAMD score of the followup period. Acupuncture group were better than the western medicine group score. Therefore, persistent effect of acupuncture was better than western medicine group. Conclusion: In the real clinical conditions, the effect of acupuncture treatment for depression is better than that of western medicine. Contact: Mingmin Xu, xumin 614@163.com

Mental Symptoms Can Be Treated With Japanese Kampo Formula, Yokukansan and Its Variables

Purpose: we will prove the clinical effect of acupunctural treatment to anti-depression. Methods: According to the principle of informed consent and the wishes of patients, the participants were divided into two groups, 35 for acupuncture group(acupuncture treatment), 25 for western medicine group(SSRI). Hamilton scales have been evaluated at the 0,1,2,4,6,8,12 weeks period. Results: 1. The significant difference of the effects between the two groups was detected(P 0.05). 2. There was significant difference of the cure rate between two groups(P<0.05),acupuncture group was significantly better than the western medicine group. 3. On HAMD scores of the two groups after treatment in 4,6,8 weeks, significant differences were presented (P<0.05). From the beginning of the fourth week, the HAMD score of acupuncture group was significantly better than the western medicine group. In both of the two groups, there were statistically significant differences between baseline score of HAMD and the score in every treatment period(P<0.05), 4. Significant difference was shown between the two groups in HAMD score of the followup period. Acupuncture group were better than the western medicine group score. Therefore, persistent effect of acupuncture was better than western medicine group. Conclusion: In the real clinical conditions, the effect of acupuncture treatment for depression is better than that of western medicine. Contact: Mingmin Xu, xumin 614@163.com

Based on the principle of WRS to compare the clinical effect differences between acupuncture and Western medicine in anti-depression

Purpose: we will prove the clinical effect of acupunctural treatment to anti-depression. Methods: According to the principle of informed consent and the wishes of patients, the participants were divided into two groups, 35 for acupuncture group(acupuncture treatment), 25 for western medicine group(SSRI). Hamilton scales have been evaluated at the 0,1,2,4,6,8,12 weeks period. Results: 1. The significant difference of the effects between the two groups was detected(P 0.05). 2. There was significant difference of the cure rate between two groups(P<0.05),acupuncture group was significantly better than the western medicine group. 3. On HAMD scores of the two groups after treatment in 4,6,8 weeks, significant differences were presented (P<0.05). From the beginning of the fourth week, the HAMD score of acupuncture group was significantly better than the western medicine group. In both of the two groups, there were statistically significant differences between baseline score of HAMD and the score in every treatment period(P<0.05), 4. Significant difference was shown between the two groups in HAMD score of the followup period. Acupuncture group were better than the western medicine group score. Therefore, persistent effect of acupuncture was better than western medicine group. Conclusion: In the real clinical conditions, the effect of acupuncture treatment for depression is better than that of western medicine. Contact: Mingmin Xu, xumin 614@163.com

Influence of acupuncture on HPA axis in a rat model of chronic stress-induced depression

Objective To investigate the neurobiological mechanism of depression pathogenesis and reveal the mechanism of acupuncture treatment of depression.

Acupuncture treatment of depression by pattern identification

In the treatment of 63 cases of depression, by bilateral Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (Ex-HN 1), Juque (CV 14) and Neiguan (PC 6) as the main acupoints, based upon pattern identification, with bilateral Zhigou (TE 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Taichong (LR 3) added for liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency, with bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) added for stagnation of liver blood, with bilateral Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taibai (SP 3) added for deficiency in both the heart and spleen, and with bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taibai (SP 3), Taixi (KI 3) and Guanyuan (CV 4), by moxibustion on Guanyuan (CV 4) and needling techniques on the rest acupoints, the results showed clinical cured in 21 cases, remarkable effect in 18 cases, improvement in 20 cases and failure in 4 cases, in the treatment from 13 times to 45 times, at the average treatments of 26 times.

Analysis of characteristics of depression treated by acupuncture in ancient times

Information of the acupuncture treatment of depression in 93 ancient books has been made statistics with computer. Results showed that Heart Meridian, Pericardium Meridian, Bladder Meridian, Governor Vessel, Conception Vessel, Spleen Meridian and Stomach Meridian have been used frequently; as to areas, the medial aspect of upper limbs, head and face, medial aspect of legs, upper back, chest and abdomen have been mostly selected; as to treatment methods, needling, moxibustion and blood-letting therapies have been utilized.

Acupuncture Treatment for Depression During Pregnancy: Conceptual Framework and Two Case Reports

Severe depression is common during pregnancy. It is associated with more negative pregnancy outcome and is a risk factor for postpartum depression. Treatment options available for depressed women during pregnancy are limited. Preliminary data suggest acupuncture as an effective treatment for depression. This article presents a systematic and standardized approach to acupuncture treatment, and its implementation is demonstrated using two case reports selected from a larger pool of participants in an ongoing study testingthe efficacy of acupuncture in treating depression during pregnancy. Baseline characteristics and outcome are presented from the integrated perspective of Western psychiatry and Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture Treatment for Depression During Pregnancy: Conceptual Framework and Two Case Reports

Severe depression is common during pregnancy. It is associated with more negative pregnancy outcome and is a risk factor for postpartum depression. Treatment options available for depressed women during pregnancy are limited. Preliminary data suggest acupuncture as an effective treatment for depression. This article presents a systematic and standardized approach to acupuncture treatment, and its implementation is demonstrated using two case reports selected from a larger pool of participants in an ongoing study testingthe efficacy of acupuncture in treating depression during pregnancy. Baseline characteristics and outcome are presented from the integrated perspective of Western psychiatry and Chinese medicine.