New research finds that acupuncture effectively treats depression for patients undergoing treatment with the antidepressant paroxetine (Paxil, Sereupin, Aropax). The investigation studied the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on patients with depression and evaluated whether or not measurable improvements were made over and above those from concurrent paroxetine therapy. The researchers discovered that both acupuncture and electroacupuncture improved “the quality of life in depressed patients undergoing paroxetine treatment.”
Acupuncture for DepressionAcupuncture and electroacupuncture were applied to acupoints GV20 (Baihui), Yintang, GV16 (Fengfu), GV14 (Dazhui), P6 (Neiguan) and SP6 (Sanyinjiao). Acupuncture was applied three times per weeks for six weeks. All acupoints were retained for thirty minutes during acupuncture treatment. The researchers discovered that while acupuncture and electroacupuncture were effective, it was electroacupuncture that showed greater improvements in the psychological status of the patients.
Reference:
doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.27.006. Ma SH, Qu SS, Huang Y, Chen JQ, Lin RY, Wang CQ, Li GL, Zhao CH, Guo SC, Zhang ZJ. Improvement in quality of life in depressed patients following verum acupuncture or electroacupuncture plus paroxetine: a randomized controlled study of 157 cases. Neural Regen Res. 2012;7(27):2123-2129.
