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Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for post-traumatic stress disorder: Assessor-blinded, randomized
Bin Feng1, Ying Zhang1, Li-Yuan Luo1
1Department of Psychiatry, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|December 20, 2018
Summary
Adding transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) to sertraline or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly enhances post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. This combined approach improves PTSD and depression symptoms without increasing adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition often treated with pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy.
- Existing treatments like sertraline and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have limitations in efficacy for some patients.
- Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an emerging non-invasive neuromodulation technique.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of adding TEAS to standard PTSD treatments.
- To determine if TEAS enhances the anti-PTSD effects of sertraline or CBT.
- To evaluate the impact of TEAS on comorbid depressive symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 240 PTSD patients was conducted over 12 weeks.
- Patients were assigned to four groups: simulated TEAS with sertraline, simulated TEAS with CBT, active TEAS with CBT, or active TEAS with CBT and sertraline.
- Outcomes were assessed using validated scales for PTSD and depression, including the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale and the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.
Main Results:
- Active TEAS combined with CBT (Group C) and active TEAS with CBT plus sertraline (Group D) showed significantly greater improvements in PTSD and depressive symptoms compared to groups receiving only sertraline or CBT (Groups A and B).
- Effect sizes for TEAS augmentation ranged from moderate to very large (0.484-2.244).
- Clinical response rates were higher in Groups C (85.0%) and D (95.0%) compared to Groups A (63.3%) and B (60.0%), with remission rates also significantly increased.
Conclusions:
- The addition of TEAS to sertraline or CBT significantly augments their anti-PTSD and antidepressant efficacy.
- TEAS can be safely integrated into PTSD treatment protocols, as it does not increase adverse events.
- TEAS presents a promising therapeutic option for managing PTSD and co-occurring depression.
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