Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Uncategorized

Acupuncture Combined With Low Doses of Antidepressants as Effective as High Doses of Antidepressants

by Eric W. Dolan
January 14, 2010
in Uncategorized

[Subscribe to PsyPost on YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A study conducted by psychiatrists from the Republic of China has found that a combination of traditional acupuncture and low doses of antidepressants is an effective alternative to high doses of antidepressant drugs. There was also significantly less side-effects associated with the combination of acupuncture and low-doses of antidepressants compared to only taking high doses of antidepressants, which may make this a valuable alternative for those sensitive to antidepressant medication.

The study, authored by Wen-Jing Zhang, Xin-Bo Yang and Bao-Liang Zhong, was published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2009.

The study recruited 80 participants whom suffered from major depressive disorder. Of these 80 participants, half received traditional acupuncture treatment along with 10 milligrams of the antidepressant fluoxetine per day. The other half received a sham acupuncture treatment along with 20-30 milligrams of fluoxetine per day.

Those in the sham acupuncture group were pricked with needles in places that were not identified as acupoints or meridians. This sham acupuncture was administered to make it appear as if both groups were receiving identical treatments. If participants could guess which treatment group they had been placed into, then this may have compromised the validity of the experiment.

All the participants received either real or sham treatment from the same acupuncturist five times a week over a period of six weeks.

Originally, the authors of this study had intended for the group of participants receiving the acupuncture therapy to take a placebo instead of an antidepressant drug. An experimental design such as this would have made the findings of the study more conclusive. The results of acupuncture could have been directly compared to the results of antidepressant medication. This was rejected by the local ethics committee, probably due to concerns regarding fairness to the participants.

During the six week period, the participants were administered the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety four times. Both are standardized tests often used to measure depression and anxiety.

The results of the study found that both groups of participants had significant decreases in depression. The group of participants in the traditional acupuncture and low-dose group had an average improvement of 80% on the Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression and the group of high-dose participants had an improvement of 77.5%. There was a similar effect concerning anxiety reduction.

According to the authors of this study, the antidepressive effects of acupuncture are due to the fact that it, “initiates stimulation of small diameter nerves in muscles, sending impulses to the spinal cord, midbrain, and pituitary gland, and results in the release of neurotransmitters such as monoamines and endorphins.”

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePinSend

NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

One in four people may experience estrangement from a sibling in adulthood, study finds

Study finds that poor sleep quality increases aggression, possibly by affecting emotional cognition

Buzzing the brain with electricity can boost the willingness to engage in mental effort

Study links deviations in circadian rhythm patterns to psychiatric problems in adolescents

A history of intermittent fasting is associated with increased disordered eating behaviors

Virtual reality can inoculate people against the allure of alternative romantic partners, study finds

RECENT

Study links deviations in circadian rhythm patterns to psychiatric problems in adolescents

False confidence: Watching a simple video increases people’s belief in their own ability to land a plane

A history of intermittent fasting is associated with increased disordered eating behaviors

Psychologists developed a new measure of sexual anxiety sensitivity. It predicts some important sex-related outcomes.

Virtual reality can inoculate people against the allure of alternative romantic partners, study finds

Buzzing the brain with electricity can boost the willingness to engage in mental effort

Study finds that poor sleep quality increases aggression, possibly by affecting emotional cognition

Parents with more difficult childhoods are more likely to spank their children, study finds

Currently Playing

Individuals with dark personality traits are less oriented towards long-term mating strategies

Disclosing victim status reduces online dating matches regardless of race or sex

Individuals with dark personality traits are less oriented towards long-term mating strategies

Dark Triad
Longitudinal study examines the effects of adversity on wise reasoning

New study examines the psychological mechanisms underlying Solomon’s paradox

Social Psychology
Engaging in religious practice, even if you don’t believe, may increase your capacity to delay gratification

Engaging in religious practice, even if you don’t believe, may increase your capacity to delay gratification

Cognitive Science
New study sheds light on how three distinct types of first impressions predict subsequent dating outcomes

New study sheds light on how three distinct types of first impressions predict subsequent dating outcomes

Relationships and Sexual Health
A single, moderate dose of psilocybin reduces depressive symptoms for at least two weeks, controlled study finds

A single, moderate dose of psilocybin reduces depressive symptoms for at least two weeks, controlled study finds

Depression
Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Mental Health
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • About PsyPost
    • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.