Impacts of acupuncture on brainstem evoked potentials in patients with primary depression

doi:10.1016/S1003-5257(13)60058-6

World Journal of Acupuncture - Moxibustion

Volume 23, Issue 3, 30 September 2013, Pages 39-41, 45

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1003-5257(13)60058-6 Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

To observe the impacts of acupuncture on brainstem evoked potentials in the patients with primary depression.

Methods

Forty cases of primary depression were treated by acupuncture at Bâihuì (

GV 20), Yìntáng (

GV 29), Dàzhuī (

GV 14), bilateral Shénmén (

HT 7), bilateral Tàichōng (

LR 3), bilateral Nèiguān (

PC 6) and Sānyïnjiéo (

SP 6). The needles were retained for 30 min. Acupuncture treatment was given once every two days, three treatments a week. The brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) and visual evoked potential (VEP) were observed in 6 weeks of treatment. The change in Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score was observed before and after treatment in the depression group.

Results

After treatment, VEP wave latency was shortened significantly in patients of depression (P<0.05), BAEPIII wave latency was shortened significantly (P<0.05). The score of HAMD was decreased apparently in the depression group (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The stressability of visual and auditory stimuli in the central nervous system was decreased in the patients of depression. Acupuncture shortens remarkably the brainstem evoked potentials latency in the patients of depression and achieves the effective results in the treatment of primary depression.

Section snippets

First author: LIU Yong-hui (1982-), male, attending physician.

Research field: clinical and scientific research of encephalopathy with TCM.

References (3)

JQ Guo et al.
Curative effect observation of acupuncture combined with Paroxethine on primary depression
Mod J Integr Tradit Chin Med West Med (Chin)
(2010)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (2)

The dose-effect association between acupuncture sessions and its effects on major depressive disorder: A meta-regression of randomized controlled trials
2022, Journal of Affective Disorders
Citation Excerpt :
To date, few studies have explored the association between the number of acupuncture sessions and their effects (White et al., 2008). An increasing body of evidence suggests that an increase in acupuncture sessions may be associated with an improvement in the symptoms of MDD (Andreescu et al., 2011; Armour et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2013; Roschke et al., 2000). To address the above questions and provide evidence-based recommendations, we applied a meta-regression approach to the dose-effect relationship between the number of acupuncture sessions and their effects on MDD.
The benefits of acupuncture on Major depressive disorder (MDD) have been well established in previous studies. However, uncertainty exists regarding the dose-effect relationship between acupuncture and MDD. This study aims to explore the association between acupuncture and its effects on MDD based on previously published data.
Nine databases were searched from inception until 10th September 2021. Randomized controlled trials that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture, or anti-depressants, were included. The data extraction, and assessing the data quality and risk of bias completed by two researcher, respectively. A non-linear meta-regression approach with restricted cubic spline was used to investigate the dose-effect relationship between acupuncture sessions and their effects on the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) score.
Of the 20,835 citations screened, 62 studies (2269 patients of MDD) were included. The dose-effect meta-analysis suggested that acupuncture session was associated with a decline in HAMD scores. Overall, an increase in the number of acupuncture sessions received was associated with symptom improvement in MDD patients. After 8 acupuncture sessions, the HAMD score decreased from 17.68 (95% CI: −11.81, −4.80) to 8.30 (95% CI: 14.23–21.13). After 24 acupuncture sessions, a decrease in HAMD scores was observed in 51% of cases (95% CI: 48% to 54%). After 36 acupuncture sessions, the effect of improvement in HAMD scores peaked at 66% of cases (95% CI: 59% to 72%).
A dose-effect relationship was found between the number of acupuncture sessions and HAMD scores. 36 acupuncture sessions were associated with optimal clinical response.
PROSPERO CRD42021290143.
Basic and clinical research of acupuncture in depression in the past 5 years
2015, Revista Internacional de Acupuntura
La depresión es una enfermedad conocida desde tiempos antiguos. Desde la década de los ochenta del siglo pasado, la acupuntura ha generado una nueva oferta terapéutica y se ha abierto una gran veta de investigación tanto clínica como básica. Por otra parte, los científicos dedicados a neurociencias han desarrollado herramientas que ayudan a dilucidar los mecanismos intrínsecos subyacentes a la depresión. Continuamente nos hemos maravillado de la gran capacidad de la acupuntura para favorecer la regulación de las alteraciones fisiopatológicas de la depresión, potencialmente participa en la modulación de las monoaminas, los transportadores y los receptores postsinápticos de dichas monoaminas y otros neurotransmisores, la regulación de las señales intracelulares, factores postranscripcionales, así como de otros neuropéptidos relacionados con la depresión y el manejo del estrés. En los últimos años, la investigación clínica y el estudio de los mecanismos de acción de la acupuntura en la depresión continúan consolidando esta nueva área de la investigación clínica y básica de la medicina integrativa; utilizando varios modelos animales para explorar los procesos relacionados con la depresión y realizando ensayos clínicos aleatorizados se está tras el establecimiento de una fórmula terapéutica efectiva y segura basada en evidencias para el tratamiento de la depresión.
Depression is a disease known since ancient times. Since the 1980's of the last century, acupuncture has offered a new therapeutic range and a large vein of both clinical and basic investigation has been opened. On the other hand, scientists dedicated to neurosciences have developed tools that help to elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying depression. We have been continually amazed by the great ability of acupuncture in regulating pathophysiological changes of depression. It potentially participates in modulation of monoamines, transporters, and postsynaptic receptors of these monoamines and other neurotransmitters, the regulation of intracellular signals, post-transcription factors, as well as of other neuropeptides linked to depression and stress. In recent years the clinical research and the study of the action mechanisms of acupuncture in depression is continuing to consolidate this new area of clinical and basic research of integrative medicine, by using several animal models to explore the processes involved in depression, performing randomised clinical trials and is behind the establishment of an effective and safe therapeutic formula based on evidence for the treatment of depression.

First author: LIU Yong-hui (1982-), male, attending physician.

Research field: clinical and scientific research of encephalopathy with TCM.

View full text

Clinical ResearchImpacts of acupuncture on brainstem evoked potentials in patients with primary depression

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Curative effect observation of acupuncture combined with Paroxethine on primary depression

Mod J Integr Tradit Chin Med West Med (Chin)

Clinical Research
Impacts of acupuncture on brainstem evoked potentials in patients with primary depression