[Anti-depressive effect of acupuncture on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors]
Yan Huang1, Xin-Jun Wang1, Ling-Ling Wang1
1Second Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
Objective:
To evaluate anti-depressive effects of acupuncture on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Methods:
Totally 60 patients with depression were randomly assigned to the control group (30 cases) and the treatment group (30 cases). All patients took one kind of SSRIs. Those in the treatment group were additionally treated by acupuncture. All were treated for 6 weeks. Patients' efficacies were evaluated with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Eisenberg antidepressant side effects scale (Asberg).
Results:
Compared with the control group after 6 weeks of treatment, the cured-markedly effective rate was improved by 33.4% in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The HAMD was lower in the treatment group. The tendency of interaction of sleep disorder factor and anxiety/somatization factor was different between at the end of 1-week treatment and at the end of 6-week treatment in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The SDS score decreased at the end of 6-week treatment in the treatment group. The reduction rate was elevated by 19.23% (P < 0.05). By the end of 6-week treatment, the average score of Asberg decreased by 3.77 score in average in the treatment group, while it decreased by 0.07 score in average in the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Acupuncture could effectively improve anti-depressive effects of SSRIs and reduce their adverse reactions.
Related Concept Videos
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists


