Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1015456

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Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression

Posted by B2chica on April 12, 2012, at 11:34:02


From Reuters Health Information
Electroacupuncture May Be Effective for Depression


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By Tan Ee Lyn

HONG KONG (Reuters) Mar 29 - Boosting the effect of acupuncture needles with small electric currents may be effective in treating depression, a study in Hong Kong has found.

Led by Zhang Zhang-jin at the School of Chinese Medicine, University of Hong Kong, the researchers used electroacupuncture to stimulate seven spots on the heads of 73 participants, who had suffered several bouts of depression in the last seven years.

The electroacupuncture was given in addition to medication that the patients were already taking and meant to augment their treatment, Zhang told a news conference.

Half the patients received electroacupuncture nine times over three weeks, while the other half - the placebo group - only had needles inserted superficially into their heads.

"The drop (in depression scores) among the group receiving active treatment was more significant than (in) the placebo group," said Roger Ng, another researcher in the group, which published its findings in PLoS (Public Library of Science) ONE.

"When the acupoints are stimulated, some brain centers responsible for producing serotonin are stimulated," explained Ng, a consultant at the department of psychiatry at the Kowloon Hospital in Hong Kong.

Zhang said his group may consider moving into another trial using only electroacupuncture on patients suffering milder depression.

The report was published online January 6th.

 

Re: Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression

Posted by B2chica on April 12, 2012, at 11:35:19

In reply to Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression, posted by B2chica on April 12, 2012, at 11:34:02

wouldnt this be like DBS?
i dont know enough about DBS so i'm not sure.
and i wonder how long the effects last.

and when ins. companies would consider covering it...

very interesting article but left me with a lot of questions.

 

Re: Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression

Posted by Hugh on April 12, 2012, at 13:50:32

In reply to Re: Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression, posted by B2chica on April 12, 2012, at 11:35:19

> wouldnt this be like DBS?
> i dont know enough about DBS so i'm not sure.
> and i wonder how long the effects last.

DBS stimulates Brodmann area 25, which is deep within the brain. If acupuncture affects this area, it would be indirectly.

These are the seven acupoints stimulated in this new protocol for depression:

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, stimulating acupoints of the head can boost brain power, regulate yin yang and relieve depression. Traditionally acupoints Bai Hui and Yin Tang are used to treat depression. In DCEAS, Dr Zhang believes that stimulating Bai Hui and Yin Tang, together with other acupoints including Si Shen Cong, Tou Lin Qi, Tai Yang, Shuai Gu and Tou Wei, can stimulate the release of serotonin (5-HT) and other chemicals in the brain more efficiently, resulting in better treatment outcomes.

http://www.hku.hk/press/news_detail_6784.html

 

Thank You Hugh, better understanding now (nm) » Hugh

Posted by B2chica on April 12, 2012, at 14:09:34

In reply to Re: Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression, posted by Hugh on April 12, 2012, at 13:50:32

 

Re: Thank You Hugh, better understanding now

Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2012, at 14:18:00

In reply to Thank You Hugh, better understanding now (nm) » Hugh, posted by B2chica on April 12, 2012, at 14:09:34

Accupunture can do great things. Relieve pain and others. I wonder what it costs since insurance won't cover? Phillipa

 

Re: Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression » B2chica

Posted by SLS on April 12, 2012, at 15:35:18

In reply to Re: Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression, posted by B2chica on April 12, 2012, at 11:35:19

Hi B2C.

I hope things get better for you soon.

> wouldnt this be like DBS?

I am not sure. It depends on the depth of brain tissue being affected.

Perhaps electroacupuncture would be more like rTMS, a treatment that affects only the outermost tissues just below the cranium, including the prefrontal cortex. DBS affects much deeper tissues. There are various target sites being investigated. "DBS" is a bit of a misnomer, though. In Brodmann Area 25, DBS actually acts to reduce activity there by disrupting neurotransmission. It has been observed that this area is hyperactive in depression (MDD). Another target site for DBS treatment of depression is the nucleus accumbens. I believe the amygdala is being looked at for treating PTSD and anxiety disorders.


- Scott

 

Re: Electroacupuncture for Depression (insurance)

Posted by Hugh on April 12, 2012, at 16:52:49

In reply to Re: Electroacupuncture May be Effective for Depression, posted by B2chica on April 12, 2012, at 11:35:19

> and when ins. companies would consider covering it...

Check with your insurer. I've read that some insurers will only cover acupuncture for pain. If you have a sore elbow or knee, you could have that treated, and ask for depression acupoints to be needled as well.



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