None listed
Conditions
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 (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
Study design
Eligibility
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)