None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to develop and test a rigorous acupuncture study design that will determine if acupuncture has a significant therapeutic effect in the treatment of depression. This will increase the understanding of how acupuncture can be effectively used as an adjunct therapy to treat depression and may lead to reduced drug dependency and side effects for patients. Subjects will need to be medically diagnosed as having major depression and be taking serotonin uptake inhibitors (prescribed medication). They will also be screened for the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic pattern of liver qi stagnation. Subjects will be treated with acupuncture and the outcomes of the treatment assessed using standard questionnaire/assessment tools.
Interventions
Using a 0.25 x 30mm needle, acupuncture will be applied to the points LR14 in the sixth intercostal space, PC6 on the forearm and LR3 on the foot as a standard treatment protocol. There will be another additional point added for three variations to the standard "Liver qi" pattern. For subjects with "Liver qi stasis" alone, the point GB34 on the knee will be added. Where subjects exhibit "Liver qi statis with heat" the point LR8 on the knee will be added. If the subject exhibits "Liver qi inv
Using a 0.25 x 30mm needle, acupuncture will be applied to the points LR14 in the sixth intercostal space, PC6 on the forearm and LR3 on the foot as a standard treatment protocol. There will be another additional point added for three variations to the standard "Liver qi" pattern. For subjects with "Liver qi stasis" alone, the point GB34 on the knee will be added. Where subjects exhibit "Liver qi statis with heat" the point LR8 on the knee will be added. If the subject exhibits "Liver qi invading earth", the point SP6 near the ankle will be added. Consequnelty there will be four points used for any one of three presenting Liver patterns. Once placed, a "de qi" sensation shall be obtained and the needles left in situ for 20 minutes.
Sponsors
Dr Peter Meier
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Patients suffering mild to moderate depression as defined by the DSM IV. Patients must be taking SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) drugs and maintain their therapeutic realtionship with their GP/Psychiatrist. Patients must maintain their SSRI therapy throughout the trial. Patients must present with the Chinese Medical diagnostic pattern of "Liver Qi Stagnation".
Exclusion criteria
Suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, other serious mental health disorders as identified by the DSM IV as not falling into the classification of major depression. Patients not on drugs or on drugs other than SSRIs.
Outcome results
None listed