scholarly journals Clinical Studies on Treatment of Earthquake-Caused Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using Electroacupuncture

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
You-ping Hu ◽  
Wen-chun Wang ◽  
Ri-zhao Pang ◽  
An-ren Zhang

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in 138 patients with earthquake-caused PTSD using Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). 138 cases enrolled were randomly assigned to an electro-acupuncture group and a paroxetine group. The electro-acupuncture group was treated by scalp electro-acupuncture on Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenting (GV 24), and Fengchi (GB 20), and the paroxetine group was treated with simple oral administration of paroxetine. The efficacy and safety of the electro-acupuncture on treatment of 69 PTSD patients were evaluated using Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) according to clinical data. The total scores of CAPS, HAMD, and HAMA in the two groups after treatment showed significant efficacy compared to those before treatment. The comparison of reduction in the scores of CAPS, HAMD, and HAMA between the two groups suggested that the efficacy in the treated group was better than that in the paroxetine group. The present study suggested that the electro-acupuncture and paroxetine groups have significant changes in test PTSD, but the electro-acupuncture 2 group was more significant.

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (02) ◽  
pp. 249-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhao ◽  
Ai-Ping Gan

The purpose of this study is to explore the psychological efficacy of Xinwei Decoction, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, to treat functional dyspepsia (FD) accompanied with depression and anxiety. Seventy-three subjects, divided into three groups, had been given herbal medicine (Xinwei Decoction), prokinetic agent (Domperidone) and placebo, respectively for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, all subjects were examined with FD symptom scale, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). As a result, the total scores of the three groups in FD symptom scale, HAMD and HAMA after treatment decreased in different levels, with the decrease in the herbal group more significant than the other two groups ( p <0.01), indicating the efficacy of the herbal medicine. The total effective rates of the herbal, Domperidone and placebo groups were 90%, 67% and 31%, respectively, which indicated significant effect differences between Xinwei Decoction and Domperidone ( p <0.05) and between Xinwei Decoction and placebo ( p <0.01), showing that the efficacy of herbal therapy was superior to that of the other two therapies. Furthermore, there was no one in the Domperidone and placebo groups being cured of depression and anxiety, while the curing rate in the herbal group was about 70%, indicating the efficacy of herbal medicine in comparison to that of Domperidone and placebo for anti-depression and anti-anxiety. The result demonstrated that Xinwei Decoction could not only alleviate FD symptoms but also relieve depression and anxiety.


Author(s):  
Zhang AJ ◽  
He Y ◽  
Chen F ◽  
Chen H ◽  
Jiang B ◽  
...  

<br><br>Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture, conventional acupuncture, and tamsulosin to treat non-inflammatory chronic prostatitis (type IIIB CP). <br><br>Methods: 105 patients were randomly divided into the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group, conventional acupuncture group, and tamsulosin group, 35 cases in each group. In the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group, PC6 (Neiguan), PC7 (Daling), HT7 (Shenmen), RN6 (Qihai), RN4 (Guanyuan), ST28 (Shuidao), ST36 (Zusanli), SP9 (Yinlingquan), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), and LR3 (Taichong) were selected; In the conventional acupuncture group, RN4 (Guanyuan), RN3 (Zhongji), KI3 (Taixi), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), BL54 (Zhibian) through ST28 (Shuidao), BL20 (Pishu), and BL23 (Shenshu) were set. Acupuncture was given once every other day, 30 minutes each time, three times a week, 12 times in a row as a course of treatment. Tamsulosin group took tamsulosin 0.2mg orally, once a day for four weeks. The three groups were observed for two methods. The NIH-CPSI total score, NIH-CPSI pain symptom score, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score were compared among the three groups. After one course of treatment and after two methods of treatment, and the recurrence rate and clinical efficacy were evaluated. <br><br>Results: The NIH-CPSI total score, NIH-CPSI pain symptom score, HAMD and HAMA scores of the three groups after one course of treatment and two courses of treatment were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). After one course of treatment and two courses of treatment, the total NIH-CPSI score, NIH-CPSI pain score, HAMD, and HAMA score in the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group decreased more than those in the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group (all P<0.05). The recurrence rate of the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group was lower than that of the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The total effective rates of the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group were 78.13% (25/32) and 69.70% (23/33), respectively, which were lower than 97.06% (33/34) of the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group. No severe adverse reactions occurred in the safety evaluation.<br><br>Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" Acupuncture on type III BCP is better than that of conventional acupuncture and tamsulosin, and it is better than that of traditional acupuncture and tamsulosin in relieving prostatitis symptoms, anxiety, and depression.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Jiang ◽  
Qin Xie ◽  
Lian-Zhong Liu ◽  
Bao-Liang Zhong ◽  
Liang Si ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) in the treatment of elderly patients with refractory depression. Methods : A total of 43 older patients (18 male and 25 female) with refractory depression were enrolled in our study from March 2014 to February 2015, with the average age of 65±4.8 years old. Modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) was performed in these patients after physical examinations and anesthesia procedures. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the efficacy of MECT, and Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) and mini mental state examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate the memory ability and cognitive function. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care were conducted in patients accompanied by physical diseases. Results: The rate of efficacy was calculated as 67.44% after 4 weeks of MECT treatment. Our results showed HAMA and HAMD scores after 2 weeks of MECT treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.05), and the differences were more significant after 4 weeks of MECT treatment (P<0.01). Compared with before treatment, the scores of memory quotient and immediate memory of WMS decreased significantly after 1 week of treatment (P<0.05). However, these events were not be presented with the progress of treatment, except for after 2 weeks of treatment. Our results demonstrated that compared with before treatment, the scores of MMSE significantly increased significantly after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). There were no serious adverse events in all patients, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Among them, 7 patients had transient blood pressure rise and slight headache, which were relieved spontaneously after resting. Conclusion: MECT is an effective, well tolerated and safe method for the treatment of older patients with refractory depression, which is temporary and reversible for cognitive impairment. MECT can be recommended for the treatment of these patients after conducting effective risk control of comorbid somatic diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yi-Fan Li ◽  
Hui-Min Hu ◽  
Bo-Ning Wang ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Xing Liu ◽  
...  

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chuanxiong Qingnao Granule (CQG) to treat migraine. Method. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All migraineurs were recruited and randomly assigned into a treatment group treated with CQG and a control group treated with a placebo. The whole research process included a 4-week baseline, 12-week intervention, and 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was responder rate, defined as the percentage of migraineurs with 50% or more reduction in the frequency of migraine attack during treatment and posttreatment period compared with the baseline. The secondary outcomes were the number of migraine days, migraine attack frequency, visual analogue scale (VAS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS). Results. A total of 346 migraineurs completed the research and were included in the intention-treatment analyses. The response rates differed significantly between the treatment group and the control group (71.5% vs. 12.1% at week 12 and 83.1% vs. 3.4% at week 24). Attack frequency, days of headache attack, VAS, FSS, HAMD, and MIDAS decreased at week 12 in both groups with more reduction in the treatment group ( P < 0.001 ). No severe adverse events were observed in this trial. Conclusion. Chuanxiong Qingnao Granule can significantly improve headache symptoms in patients with migraine while improving disability, fatigue, and depression with a good safety profile.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
D. S. Petelin ◽  
I. V. Niinoya ◽  
O. V. Sorokina ◽  
D. V. Troshina ◽  
O. N. Voskresenskaya ◽  
...  

Objective: to study the efficacy, safety and tolerability of agomelatine in mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.Patients and methods. Agomelatine was administered to 30 patients diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder for 3 months. The patients' condition was assessed using a battery of psychometric methods – the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and a short form of the SF-12v2 quality of life questionnaire.Results and discussion. It was shown that agomelatine effectively reduces both symptoms of depression and anxiety, begins to have a therapeutic effect a week after the start of administration, however, the drug shows the best clinical effect when administered for a period of three months or more. The predictors of complete remission on agomelatine therapy in this sample were: the presence of sleep disorders (early and medium, but not late insomnia), a greater severity of somatized anxiety, the presence of complaints of decreased workplace performance and activity.Conclusion. Our study has shown that agomelatine is an effective, safe and well-tolerated drug in the treatment of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.


Trials ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhe Xue ◽  
Zhen Huang ◽  
Shu-li Cheng ◽  
Xi-hong Wang ◽  
Xuan Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Depression is one of the most frequent and severe psychiatric conditions. Many chemical drugs to treat depression are associated with adverse reactions and have shortcomings. Traditional Chinese medicine is of great significance in the prevention and treatment of depression. Xiaoyao pills has achieved good results in clinical application, which has the advantages of quick effect and no obvious adverse reactions. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoyao pills on mild to moderate depression patients. Methods This study is a multi-centre, double-blinded, randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 108 participants are assigned to three groups: Xiaoyao pill group taking Xiaoyao pills twice daily for 4 weeks, placebo group taking placebos twice daily for 4 weeks and normal group without taking any drug. The primary and secondary outcome measures are the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome Scale. The assessment is at baseline (before treatment initiation), 1 week, 2 weeks 4 weeks after the first treatment. Exploratory outcome is also assessed to explore the mechanism of Xiaoyao pills at baseline and 4 weeks. Discussion The results from this study will provide clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of Xiaoyao pills in patients with mild to moderate depression with syndrome of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ISRCTN12746343. Registered on September 25, 2020.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110586
Author(s):  
Jialing Zhang ◽  
Mingxiao Yang ◽  
Tsz Him So ◽  
Tien Yee Chang ◽  
Zongshi Qin ◽  
...  

Objective Insomnia is a highly prevalent and disturbing symptom in breast cancer patients under or post chemotherapy. If not appropriately treated, it can persist for years after the completion of cancer treatments. Acupuncture has been widely used for alleviating insomnia. The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility, efficacy and safety of acupuncture for chemotherapy-related insomnia among patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods This is a trial protocol for a randomized, sham-controlled, subject- and assessor-blinded clinical trial. A total of 138 eligible participants will be assigned randomly to acupuncture or sham control group at a ratio of 1:1. Participants in acupuncture group will receive electroacupuncture (EA) plus auricular acupressure (AA) treatment, while subjects in sham acupuncture group will receive sham EA plus sham AA. Both acupuncture and sham treatments will be given twice weekly for 6 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments once every 4 weeks for 12 weeks (15 sessions totally). The primary outcome is the change of Insomnia Severity Index score between baseline and the end of 6-week treatment. Secondary outcome measurements include Actiwatch, sleep diary, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Acupuncture Expectancy Scale, credibility, and adverse events. Participants will be followed up to 42 weeks. Conclusions This trial will expand our understanding of the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of acupuncture as a treatment for alleviating chemotherapy-related insomnia in patients with breast cancer. EA plus AA, if proven to be effective, can be implemented into routine settings to play a role in insomnia management for patients with breast cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaojiao Zhou ◽  
Xu Chen ◽  
Le Xiao ◽  
Jingjing Zhou ◽  
Lei Feng ◽  
...  

Background: Insomnia is a common clinical manifestation in patients with depression. Insomnia is not only a depression symptom but also an independent risk factor for recurrence. Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) is thought to have the potential to treat insomnia. This study aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of duloxetine with C. militaris in improving sleep symptoms in patients with depression.Methods: This study was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that recruited outpatients admitted to Beijing Anding hospital from January 2018 to January 2019. Major depressive disorder (MDD) with insomnia was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) criteria and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to two treatment groups in a 1:1 ratio, and receive treatment and follow-up of about 6 weeks of duloxetine plus Cordyceps militaris or placebo, respectively. The severity of depression and insomnia was evaluated at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS).Results: A total of 59 subjects were included in the study (31 in the placebo group and 28 in the C. militaris group). 11 (18.6%) participants withdrew during the study period, 5 (17.9%) in the C. militaris group, and 6 (19.3%) in the placebo group. Depressive and sleep symptoms in all patients reduced over time. We found that the total scores of AIS and its subscales decreased more in the placebo group compared to the C. militaris group (p &lt; 0.05). Secondary outcome revealed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in total HAMD-17 and its sleep factor scores (p &gt; 0.05) at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after treatment initiation. The incidences of adverse events were not significantly different between the two groups (all p &gt; 0.05).Conclusion:C. militaris at the current dose and duration did not improve sleep symptoms in patients with depression, but it is safe with rare side effects.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 650-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Martinotti ◽  
G. Di Iorio ◽  
R. Guglielmo ◽  
D. De Berardis ◽  
L. Janiri ◽  
...  

IntroductionToday there is a large number of antidepressant drugs. However, the effect of treatment is often suboptimal. Unlike other antidepressants agomelatine has a novel neurochemical mechanism. It is an MT1 and MT2 melatonergic receptor agonist and a selective antagonist of the 5-HT2C receptors. In this open-label 8-week study we aimed to investigate the efficacy of agomelatine on depressive symptoms in patients with major depression. Secondary endpoints were the effect of agomelatine on anhedonia.MethodsThirty major depressive patients received a flexible dose (25–50 mg; per os, daily) of agomelatine. Depressive (Hamilton Depression Scale) and anxious (Hamilton Anxiety Scale) symptoms, anhedonia (Snaith Hamilton Rating Scale), and sleep quality (Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire) were assessed.ResultsTwenty-four patients (80%) completed 8 weeks of treatment. Significant improvements were seen at all visits on the HAM-D (p< .05), HAM-A(p< .01), SHAPS (p< .05), LSEQ (p< .05). Nine subjects (30%) were responders and 5 (17%) remitters at week 1; 18 (60%) were remitters by the end of the trial. There was no serious adverse event. No aminotrasferase elevations were noted.DiscussionIn line with previous studies, in which agomelatine was associated with early clinical improvement this study also provides evidence of an early response and the findings of improvements in depression scores. Beside this is the first study where agomelatine was effective in the treatment of anhedonia. Additional trials are needed to delineate the place of agomelatine in the contemporary pharmacotherapy for depressive disorders.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sui Cheung Man ◽  
Kam Wa Chan ◽  
Jia-Hong Lu ◽  
Siva Sundara Kumar Durairajan ◽  
Liang-Feng Liu ◽  
...  

We present a systematic review of existing research that aims to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medications (HM), as either monotherapy or adjunct to orthodox medications (OM), mainly comprised of cholinesterase inhibitors, for vascular dementia (VaD). We included 47 studies conducted in mainland China, each testing different HM. Of 43 HM monotherapy studies, 37 reported HM to be significantly better than OM or placebo; six reported similar efficacy between HM and OM. All four HM adjuvant studies reported significant efficacy. No major adverse events for HM were reported. Heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria, interventions and outcome measures hindered comprehensive data analysis. Studies suggested that HM can be a safe and effective treatment for VaD, either alone or in conjunction with OM. However, methodological flaws in the design of the studies limited the extent to which the results could be interpreted. Thirty most commonly used herbal constituents, including Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong in Chinese), Radix Polygoni Multiflori (Heshouwu in Chinese) and Radix Astragali (Huangqi in Chinese). were ranked. Further multi-center trials with large sample sizes, high methodological quality and standardized HM ingredients are necessary for clinical recommendations to be made.


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