Therapeutic Observation of Acupunctureat Ghost Points for Anxiety and Depression in Methamphetamine-dependent Subjects / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of acupuncture at the ghost points on anxiety and depression in methamphetamine (MA)-dependent subjects.MethodSixty MA-dependent males were randomized into a control group, acupuncture groupⅠand acupuncture groupⅡ. The control group didn’t receive any intervention; inacupuncture groupⅠ, bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Jiaji points (EX-B2) were selected; Shuigou (GV26), Shangxing (GV23), Chengjiang (CV24), and bilateral Daling (PC7), Jianshi (PC5), Shenmai (BL62), and Quchi (LI11) were selected in acupuncture groupⅡ. For the three groups, treatment was given three times a week, totally for 12 times. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were observed before treatment, and respectively after 1, 2, 3, and 4-week treatment.ResultAfter the first-week treatment, the HAMA and HAMD scores in acupuncture groupⅡwere significantly lower than that in the control group (P0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture at the ghost points and at the effective points selected according to previous studies both can improve anxiety and depression state in MA-dependent subjects, but acupuncture at the ghost points can possibly produce a more significant effect in improving depression state in MA-dependent subjects in the midway of the treatment.