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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) investigation of Laser Acupuncture on Acupoints useful in Mild to Moderate Unipolar Depression.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of laser acupuncture on unipolar depressed subjects using highly significant acupoints for mild to moderate depression by randomised controlled trial.

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12610000370000
Acronym
MRIMDD
Enrollment
10
Registered
2010-05-10
Start date
2005-08-05
Completion date
2005-12-08
Last updated
2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Investigation of the brain activation patterns of 4 acupoints ( LR14, CV14 HT7 and LR8) found to be highly significant in the treatment of unipolar depression in a double blind randomised controlled trial and an additional acupoint KI3 considered useful in associated anxiety and fatigue in depression.

Interventions

1. Laser acupuncture to 4 acupoints found by double blind randomised controlled trial to be highly significant in the treatment of depression, and to a fifth acupoint KI3 added for anxiety management according to Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis or TCM diagnosis). 2. The acupoints are lasered in random order and the process repeated once so each acupoint is lasered twice in a single session. 3. The fibreoptic laser is a 804nm continuous beam laser, 25mW delivered over 20 seconds per block

1. Laser acupuncture to 4 acupoints found by double blind randomised controlled trial to be highly significant in the treatment of depression, and to a fifth acupoint KI3 added for anxiety management according to Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis or TCM diagnosis). 2. The acupoints are lasered in random order and the process repeated once so each acupoint is lasered twice in a single session. 3. The fibreoptic laser is a 804nm continuous beam laser, 25mW delivered over 20 seconds per block (0.5Joules).Total 35 minutes in the scanner, actual laser time being 4. Nine Rest blocks alternate with eight Active laser blocks. Blocks are 20 seconds duration. 5. Acupoints used were LR14, CV14, HT7 and LR8 from the randomised controlled trial amd KI3. LR14 on right at 6th intercostal space, midclavicular line CV14 in epigastrium about 10cm from the xiphisternum HT7 is at left medial wrist LR8 is at medial knee on Left between semimembranosis and semitendinosus muscles. KI3 is at right medial knee.

Sponsors

Prince of Wales Hospital
Lead SponsorHospital

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1.Unipolar depression according to Diagnostic and Statistical Mental Health Manual Version IV ( DSM-IV) 2.Montgomery Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score over 12 3.Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) score over 12 4. Able to give informed consent 5. Depression of less than 2 years duration 6. Right handed

Exclusion criteria

1.Non unipolar depression 2. Depression of over 2 years duration 3. Chronic dysthmia 4. Suicidal tendencies 5. Pregnancy 6. Chronic uncontrolled illness 7. Brain Injury 8. Conditions contraindicated for magnetic resonance imaging ( pace maker, metallic foreign bodies)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026