Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research

Amorim, Diogo; Amado, José; Brito, Irma da Silva; Fiuza, Sónia M.; Amorim, Nicole; Costeira, Cristina; Machado, Jorge

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.008

Cited by 99 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…A large number of clinical trials have proved the definite effect of acupuncture, a classic therapy in Chinese medicine, on neuropsychiatric disorders including addictions [13,14]. As a behavioral addiction, IA was also demonstrated responsive to acupuncture [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Modulation of Reward and Habit Systems by Acupuncture in Adolescents with Internet Addiction

Wang

Qin

et al. 2020

Neural Plasticity

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Purpose. Acupuncture is an effective therapy for Internet addiction (IA). However, the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in relieving compulsive Internet use remain unknown. Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated the role of the ventral striatum (VS) in the progress of IA; hence, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of acupuncture on the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and relevant network of VS in IA. Methods. Twenty-seven IA individuals and 30 demographically matched healthy control subjects (HCs) were recruited in this study. We acquired the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data in IA subjects before and after 40 days of acupuncture treatment. Seed-to-voxel and ROI-to-ROI analyses were applied to detect the rsFC alterations of the VS and related network in IA subjects and to investigate the modulation effect of acupuncture on the rsFC. Results. Compared with HCs, IA subjects exhibited enhanced rsFC of the right ventral rostral putamen (VRP) with the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), premotor cortex (PMC), cerebellum, and right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). In the network including these five ROIs, IA also showed increased ROI-to-ROI rsFC. Using a paired t-test in IA subjects before and after 40 days of acupuncture, the increased ROI-to-ROI rsFC was decreased (normalized to HC) with acupuncture, including the rsFC of the right VRP with the left OFC, PMC, and cerebellum, and the rsFC of the left cerebellum with the left OFC, PMC, and right vmPFC. Furthermore, the change in rsFC strength between the right VRP and left cerebellum in IA individuals was found positively correlated with the Internet craving alleviation after acupuncture. Conclusions. These findings verified the modulation effect of acupuncture on functional connectivity of reward and habit systems related to the VS in IA individuals, which might partly represent the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture on IA.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Modulation of Reward and Habit Systems by Acupuncture in Adolescents with Internet Addiction

Wang

Qin

et al. 2020

Neural Plasticity

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“…Although our previous study had found increased frontolimbic activations from EA compared with sham acupuncture, 14 it has remained controversial as to whether sham acupuncture is entirely innocuous in terms of therapeutic effects. 13,18 This could help explain the generally stronger effect sizes from studies utilizing control intervention designs that did not involve acupuncture. 13,26 An important caveat, however, is the methodological quality of extant acupuncture trials for IBS.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13,18 This could help explain the generally stronger effect sizes from studies utilizing control intervention designs that did not involve acupuncture. 13,26 An important caveat, however, is the methodological quality of extant acupuncture trials for IBS. 27 Just as our results would suggest the need in future studies to examine the physiological mechanisms and effectiveness of acupuncture using rigorous methods to control for nontreatment-related factors, the design of sham acupuncture controls could also benefit from a rigorous study of the systemic pathophysiological effects of the sham acupuncture technique employed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ten sessions of acupuncture were reported in a randomized controlled trial to improve clinical global impression in patients with GAD . Recent systematic reviews specifically found promising evidence on the effectiveness of EA using the following points for treatment of anxiety disorders: PC6 ( Neiguan ), HT7 ( Shenmen ), LR3 ( Taichong ), GV20 ( Baihui ), and EX‐HN3 ( Yintang ) . Our previous study showed that acupuncture on IBS subjects using certain specified acupoints (ST36 [ Zusanli ], ST37 [ Shangjuxu ], and SP6 [ Sanyinjiao ]) resulted in increased activation in anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortices, thalami, temporal regions, and right insula.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12 Recent systematic reviews specifically found promising evidence on the effectiveness of EA using the following points for treatment of anxiety disorders: PC6 (Neiguan), HT7 (Shenmen), LR3 (Taichong), GV20 (Baihui), and EX-HN3 (Yintang). 10,13 Our previous study showed that acupuncture on IBS subjects using certain specified acupoints (ST36 [Zusanli], ST37 [Shangjuxu], and SP6 [Sanyinjiao]) resulted in increased activation in anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortices, thalami, temporal regions, and right insula. Verum acupuncture produced significantly larger activation of the right insula, pulvinar, and medial nucleus of thalamus versus sham acupuncture.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Noneffectiveness of electroacupuncture for comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome

Mak

Chung

Yuen

et al. 2019

J of Gastro and Hepatol

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Background and Aim Comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome are common and therapeutically challenging. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in relieving anxiety and bowel symptoms in Chinese adults with this form of comorbidity. Methods In a single‐blind randomized sham‐controlled trial, subjects with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome were randomly assigned to receive 10 weekly sessions of electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture. Patients were assessed at baseline, immediately after intervention and at 6‐week follow‐up. Primary outcome was anxiety (7‐item Patient Health Questionnaire section for anxiety). Secondary outcomes included bowel symptoms (bowel symptoms questionnaire), depressive symptoms (9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire), somatic symptoms (15‐item Patient Health Questionnaire), and health‐related quality of life (EuroQol‐5 Dimensions). Results Eighty subjects, 40 in each arm, were randomized. All but two in the sham group completed 10 weekly sessions. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients experiencing significant (≥ 50%) reduction of anxiety symptoms between the two groups immediately after intervention (32.4% vs 21.6%, P = 0.06) and at 6‐week follow‐up (25.7% in electroacupuncture vs 27% in sham, P = 0.65). Anxiety, depressive symptom, and bowel symptom severity did not differ significantly between electroacupuncture and sham groups. Conclusions Findings failed to support the effectiveness of electroacupuncture for comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. Further studies are needed to identify effective acupuncture treatment protocols for such comorbidity.

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New insights into the interaction between polycystic ovary syndrome and psychiatric disorders: A narrative review

Geng

Huang

et al. 2023

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disease characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and ovarian polycystic changes, which combines with reproductive problems, metabolic disorders, and psychological disorders to exhibit a far‐reaching impact on the physical and mental health of women. We reviewed previous research and discovered that psychiatric disorders are more common in PCOS patients and their children, potentially exacerbating the condition and creating a vicious loop. To understand the reasons, relevant articles were collected following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines from PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, through December 2022. Evidence suggested that PCOS‐related clinical manifestations, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, obesity, gut dysbiosis, and other variables may increase the risk of psychiatric disorders in patients. In turn, psychiatric disorders may aggravate the pathologic process of PCOS and increase the difficulty of the treatment. We systematically reported the mechanisms underlying the psychiatric disorders‐PCOS interactions, intending to provide potential ways to break the vicious cycle and lay the groundwork for future research. However, research on PCOS and psychiatric disorders were still in initial stages, which limited the scope of this review. More studies are needed to further verify our findings.

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Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research

Cited by 99 publications

References 26 publications

The Modulation of Reward and Habit Systems by Acupuncture in Adolescents with Internet Addiction

The Modulation of Reward and Habit Systems by Acupuncture in Adolescents with Internet Addiction

Noneffectiveness of electroacupuncture for comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome

New insights into the interaction between polycystic ovary syndrome and psychiatric disorders: A narrative review

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