Traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine approaches to mental health care and psychological wellbeing in India and China

Thirthalli, Jagadisha; Zhou, Liang; Kumar, Kishore; Gao, Jie; Vaid, Henna; Liu, Huiming; Hankey, Alex; Wang, Guojun; Gangadhar, Bangalore N.; Nie, Jing; Nichter, Mark

doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(16)30025-6

Cited by 81 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Although herbal therapies have been used for centuries as remedies for psychiatric conditions, research focusing on assessing the effectiveness of botanical psychoactive plants used in psychiatry and their psychopharmacological properties in humans is still inconclusive for many compounds [3]. Among herbal medications for insomnia and anxiety, Valeriana officinalis root extract (VE) is one of the most popular [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Valeriana officinalis Root Extract Modulates Cortical Excitatory Circuits in Humans

et al. 2017

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Background:Valeriana officinalis extract (VE) is a popular herbal medicine used for the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders. Although the anxiolytic and sedative effects are mainly attributed to the modulation of GABA-ergic transmission, the mechanism of action has not been fully investigated in humans. Noninvasive brain stimulation protocols can be used to elucidate the mechanisms of action of psychoactive substances at the cortical level in humans. In this study, we investigated the effects of a single dose of VE on cortical excitability as assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers participated in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled study. Subjects were required to take either 900 mg of VE (valerenic acid 0.8%) or placebo (an equal dose of vitamin E). Motor cortex excitability was studied by single and paired TMS before and at 1 h and 6 h after the oral administration. Cortical excitability was assessed using different TMS parameters: resting motor threshold, motor-evoked potential amplitude, cortical silent period, short-interval intracortical inhibition, and intracortical facilitation. Furthermore, we assessed sensorimotor integration by short-latency and long-latency afferent inhibition. Results: We found a significant reduction in ICF, without any significant changes in other TMS measures of motor cortex excitability. The amount of ICF returned to baseline value 6 h after the intake of the VE. Conclusion: A single oral dose of VE modulates intracortical facilitatory circuits. Our results in healthy subjects could be predictive markers of treatment response in patients and further support the use of pharmaco-TMS to investigate the neuropsychiatric effects of herbal therapies in humans.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Valeriana officinalis Root Extract Modulates Cortical Excitatory Circuits in Humans

et al. 2017

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“…Hundreds of millions of East Asians suffer from mental illness, and despite the great need for treatment for this everincreasing population, professional mental health workers and treatment providers are scarce (Hossain, 2006). Evidence shows that in addition to seeking help from professionals, people suffering from low mental health rely on different supports sources, such as family (Hanzawa et al, 2009;Lam et al, 2010) and alternative medicines (Eguchi, 1991;Hanzawa et al, 2009;Hohenshil et al, 2015;Kleinman, 1980;Thirthalli et al, 2016). Studies also show that East Asians tend to use alternative medicines for treatment of low mental health (Thirthalli et al, 2016).…”

Section: Sources Of Psychological Support For East Asians Reporting Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Sources of Psychological Support for East Asians Reporting a Low Level of Mental Health

Sp¹,

Dykeman²

2019

Preprint

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Most research about preferred sources of mental health assistance has been completed in the West. Mental health research with non-Western cultures is needed. Using data from the East Asian Social Survey (EASS), this study examined help-seeking preferences for individuals with low mental health in four countries – China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Preferences for kin versus non-kin support, use of alternative medicine, and professional mental health assistance were examined, as were between-country differences in support preferences. The results align with previous research in East Asian countries that found a strong preference for using kin support to address mental health concerns, followed by non-kin support (i.e., close friends and co-participants in religious institutions), alternative medicine, and professional mental health services, respectively. While there is a strong preference for family support, many East Asians are open to seeking formal or informal mental health support outside the family. There were some significant differences between countries, with South Koreans being more likely to seek non-kin support and professional support for mental health concerns than Chinese. These differences are discussed in the context of cultural and policy developments in East Asian countries.

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“…Various studies showed the 12-month prevalence of CAM ranging from 10 to 75%, depending on populations and research methods [4]. Among all CAM applicable to patients, acupuncture, as one of the components in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been commonly used in East Asian countries including China and Taiwan [5,6]. In contrast to traditional body acupuncture, treatments for mental illness are more focused on acupuncture on the scalp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scalp Acupuncture and Mental Disorders

Yau¹,

Ip²

2019

Acupuncture - Resolving Old Controversies and Pointing New Pathways

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While conventional treatments for many mental problems remain problematic and unsatisfactory in therapeutic outcomes, there is great demand for an effective yet economical treatment method that can alleviate the suffering of psychiatric patients. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture on the scalp has been used for centuries. Not until recent decades did acupuncturists and clinicians develop new understandings and theories on the effect of scalp acupuncture. Upon elaboration on the therapeutic value of scalp acupuncture, it shows great potential in treating mental health disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and insomnia. Its profound treatment outcome in clinical use has caught clinicians' attention in recent years. However, controlled studies and investigations on its effect on psychiatric problems remain relatively small in number, and determinative evidence has yet to be found. In order to provide conclusive evidence on the use of scalp acupuncture to these disorders, more data from high-quality controlled trials are urgently needed. Since scalp acupuncture has advantages over the use of traditional acupuncture or body acupuncture in clinical and investigation settings, we are expecting a shift of attention from individualized acupuncture to a standardized universal scalp acupuncture treatment in clinical practice and academia.

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Traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine approaches to mental health care and psychological wellbeing in India and China

Cited by 81 publications

References 42 publications

<b><i>Valeriana officinalis</i></b> Root Extract Modulates Cortical Excitatory Circuits in Humans

<b><i>Valeriana officinalis</i></b> Root Extract Modulates Cortical Excitatory Circuits in Humans

Sources of Psychological Support for East Asians Reporting a Low Level of Mental Health

Scalp Acupuncture and Mental Disorders

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