Exploratory study of acupuncture therapy using liver-soothing and mind-regulating method and well-timed auricular acupressure for patients with subthreshold depression

Objective

To observe the clinical therapeutic effect on subthreshold depression of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency treated with acupuncture therapy for soothing the liver and regulating the mind combined with the well-timed auricular acupressure.

Methods

A total of 34 patients were treated with acupuncture therapy for soothing the liver and regulating the mind combined with well-timed auricular acupressure. In acupuncture therapy for soothing the liver and regulating the mind, main acupoints included Baihui (BL20), Neiguan (PC6) and Taichong (LR3), and supplementary acupoints included Sishencong (EX-HN1), Shenting (GV24), Benshen (GB13), Zusanli (ST36), Ganshu (BL18) and Pishu (BL20). Acupuncture was given three times a week as one course and 4 courses of treatment were required. In well-timed auricular acupressure, auricular points included Xin (CO15), Pizhixia (AT4), Shenmen (TF4), Gan (CO12) and Pi( CO13). Acupressure with herbal seeds at those auricular points was applied at three time divisions, i.e. 9: 00 to 11:00, 11:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:00 successively. The auricular acupressure with herbal seeds was given once every 3 days, the treatment for 1 week was 1 course and 4 courses were required. At the end of treatment and in 3 months of follow-up, the score of Hamilton depression scale-24 (HAMD-24), syndrome score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the score of Center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D) and the score of Short-form 36 item health survey (SF-36) were adopted to evaluate clinical therapeutic effect.

Results

After treatment and in three months of follow-up, HAMD-24 score, TCM syndrome score and CES-D score were all reduced as compared with the scores before treatment (all P < 0.05) and SF-36 score was higher than the score before treatment, respectively (both P < 0.05). In comparison of the scores after treatment with those in 3 months of follow-up, differences were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Of 34 patients with subthreshold depression, 8 cases were cured, 15 cases effective remarkably, 9 cases improved and 2 cases no effect. The total effective rate was 94.12%.

Conclusion

The combined treatment of acupuncture therapy for soothing the liver and regulating the mind with the well-timed auricular acupressure can be benefit for relieving the symptoms and improves the quality of life in the patients with subthreshold depression of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency.