Depressive neurosis treated by acupuncture for regulating the liver--a report of 176 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture for regulating the liver on depressive neurosis.


METHODS
In a multi-center randomized controlled trial, 440 patients were divided into 3 groups: Acupuncture group for regulating the liver (Acup., 176 cases) was treated by acupuncture at Siguan Points, i.e., bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (EX-HN3) plus ear-acupuncture, Prozac group (P., 176 cases) by oral administration of Prozac, and Non-acupoint needling group (NAN, 88 cases) by acupuncture at non-acupoints as acupuncture placebo. Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was examined before treatment, and one month, two and three months after treatment respectively to evaluate therapeutic effect, and Rating Scale for Side Effects (SERS) was used to evaluate the safety.


RESULTS
After one month of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were significantly lower than that in P. Group (P < 0.05) and than that in NAN Group (P < 0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were lower than that in NAN Group (P < 0.05), showing the SDS scores in Acup. Group < P. Group < NAN Group. After 2 months of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were also significantly lower than that in P. Group (P < 0.01) and than that in NAN Group (P < 0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were also lower than that in NAN Group (P < 0.05), showing the SDS scores in Acup. Group <P. Group <NAN Group. After 3 months of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were also significantly lower than that in P. Group (P < 0.01) and than that in NAN Group (P < 0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were also lower than that in NAN Group (P < 0.01), showing the SDS score in Acup. Group < P. Group < NAN Group. After treatment, SERS scores were 0.16 +/- 0.95, 6.51 +/- 5.09 and 0.23 +/- 1.36 in Acup. Group, P. Group and NAN Group respectively. A significant difference existed between Acup. Group and P. Group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference between Acup. Group and NAN Group (P > 0.05), showing the SERS scores in Acup. Group < NAN Group < P. Group. No side effect was found in Acup. and NAN groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic effect of acupuncture on depressive neurosis is better than or similar to that of Prozac but with less side effect.
Fu
Wen-bin
WB
Guangdong Hospital of TCM, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Fan
Li
L
Zhu
Xiao-ping
XP
He
Qing
Q
Wang
Ling
L
Zhuang
Li-xing
LX
Liu
Yuan-sheng
YS
Tang
Chun-zhi
CZ
Li
Ying-wen
YW
Meng
Chang-rong
CR
Zhang
Hong-lai
HL
Yan
Jie
J
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine