[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12) and Si-guan points combined with reinforcing-reducing manipulation of respiration for treatment of depression].
OBJECTIVE
To search for an effective therapy for depression.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty cases were randomly divided into two groups. The acupuncture group (60 cases) was treated with acupuncture at Zhong wan (CV 12) and Si-guan points [Taichong (LR 3) and Hegu (LI 4)] selected as main acupoints, combined with Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), etc. , meanwhile, the reinforcing-reducing manipulation of respiration was adopted. The western medicine group (60 cases) was treated with oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride at the dosage of 20 mg every day. These treatments lasted for 8 weeks in both groups. The depression severities were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) before treatment and at the 8th week of the treatment and adverse reactions were appraised respectively with Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS).


RESULTS
The total effective rate was 95.0% in the acupuncture group and 91.7% in the western medicine group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the HAMD score had very significant changes in the two groups as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, there was a significant difference between two groups in TESS score (P < 0.01). There was almost no adverse reaction in the acupuncture group, while the main clinical manifestations in the western medicine group were nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, etc.


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12) and Si-guan points combined with reinforcing-reducing manipulation of respiration can significantly improve symptoms of depression patients with a similar therapeutic effect to oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride and it is a safe method for depression without adverse reactions.
Xie
Yi-Cong
YC
Department of TCM, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China. xieyicong2006@126.com
Li
Yu-Hong
YH
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult