Effects of electro-acupuncture on personality traits in depression: a randomized controlled study
Wei-dong Wang1, Xue-yu Lu, Siu-man Ng
1Department of Psychology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China, prof_wwd@126.com.
Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine
|October 5, 2013
Summary
Electro-acupuncture effectively treats depression by improving psychological states and personality traits, comparable to paroxetine. This study highlights electro-acupuncture as a viable treatment option for depression.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Depression significantly impacts mental health and quality of life.
- Pharmacological treatments like paroxetine are common but can have side effects.
- Exploring alternative therapies for depression is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the personality-adjusting effects of electro-acupuncture for depression.
- To compare electro-acupuncture with paroxetine treatment in depressed patients.
Main Methods:
- A 24-week randomized controlled trial involving 60 depressed patients.
- Patients were assigned to either electro-acupuncture or paroxetine treatment.
- Psychological state was evaluated using MMPI, SDS, SAS, and MADRS.
Main Results:
- Both electro-acupuncture and paroxetine significantly improved psychological states in depressed patients.
- Electro-acupuncture showed greater improvements in MMPI paranoia and social introversion scores compared to paroxetine.
- No other significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups.
Conclusions:
- Electro-acupuncture is an effective treatment for depression.
- Electro-acupuncture demonstrates a positive effect on personality traits in depressed individuals.
- This therapy offers a promising alternative for managing depression.
