An evidence-based literature review : Masters dissertation in acupuncture and depression

Abstract

Acupuncture which is a branch of the Traditional Chinese Medicine has been treating conditions related to emotional dysfunctions such as depression from time immemorial. Only recently depression became the subject of various studies based on randomized control trials formulas aimed to prove the efficacy of this mode of treatment. It was the objective of this overview to analyse some of these randomized control trials in order to evaluate various acupuncture treatment modalities and report the strengths and limits of such modalities. Although the search for such trials was extensive 21 randomized control trials were selected to be included in this overview. In reviewing these trials data was collected regarding subjects, intervention modalities, outcome measures and results. The heterogeneity of the studies reviewed was such that there was quite a big diversity in study populations, treatment interventions and the control arm used. The majority of the trials under consideration came out with a positive outcome reporting that acupuncture had significantly decreased the severity of depression. This overview however found out also that most of the trials presented certain limitations in the control aspect, in their overall quality and in the number of samples selected. In those trials were acupuncture was compared to antidepressants the results showed that both modalities had similar effects. The picture proved to be shadier in those trials were acupuncture was compared to control interventions. Notwithstanding this the reviewed trials can serve as an impetus for future researchers to embark on more research adopting better tools thus ensuring more reliable randomized control trials.