Acupuncture Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder by Activating the Vagus Nerve and Improving Heart-Rate Variability and Heart-Rhythm Coherence, A Case-Series Study.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: The goal of this case series was to observe the effectiveness of acupuncture for reducing sympathetic stress and anxiety-related symptoms in generalized anxiety disorder. The effect of acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system was also examined.
Materials and methods: This was a case-series study with 10 participants enrolled. Each participant received acupuncture treatment 2 times per week for 4 weeks. Participants were evaluated with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale and the Body Perception Questionnaire-Short Form (BPQ-SF) before and after the treatment program. Heart-rate variability heart-rhythm coherence (HRC) was also assessed during each acupuncture session.
Results: Five participants completed the program. Both GAD-7 and BPQ mean scores showed significant reductions. The mean HRC high-coherence ratio also increased significantly after acupuncture treatment. No adverse effects occurred.
Conclusions: Acupuncture may be an effective therapy for sympathetic stress and anxiety-related symptoms. The mechanism of action may be through activating the vagus nerve and improving the HRC high coherence ratio. It is feasible to conduct larger clinical trials with random controls, longer treatment durations, and long-term follow-ups to support the results of this study.
期刊介绍:
Political Studies Review provides unrivalled review coverage of new books and literature on political science and international relations and does so in a timely and comprehensive way. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of reviews of books in politics, PSR is a forum for a range of approaches to reviews and debate in the discipline. PSR both commissions original review essays and strongly encourages submission of review articles, review symposia, longer reviews of books and debates relating to theories and methods in the study of politics. The editors are particularly keen to develop new and exciting approaches to reviewing the discipline and would be happy to consider a range of ideas and suggestions.