Postpartum Depression

Acupuncture alleviates postpartum depression. Researchers conclude that acupuncture combined with psychological intervention has a similar total efficacy rate for the treatment of postpartum depression as the drug fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac®). Acupuncture plus psychological intervention had a 90.7% total effective rate and fluoxetine hydrochloride had a 90.5% total effective rate. The researchers note that acupuncture did not cause any adverse reactions but fluoxetine hydrochloride caused nausea, dizziness, and loss of appetite.

Postpartum depression’s biomedical signs and symptoms occur after childbirth and Acupuncture Allieviates Postpartum Depressioninclude: mood swings, unhappiness, insomnia, hypersomnia, psychomotor retardation, suicidal tendencies, cognitive dysfunction, low libido, exhaustion, anger, irritability, lack of appetite, not bonding with the baby, low self-esteem. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), postpartum depression belongs to depression syndrome and may include: depression, low energy, stifling chest sensation, sighing, loss of appetite, insomnia or dream disturbed sleep, frustration, crying, anger, worry, sadness, melancholy.

The researchers note, “By regulating the exciting and inhibiting process of the cerebral cortex via the nervous system and immune system, acupuncture is able to balance various neurotransmitters among the intracephalic neuronal synapses, reduce the brain’s reaction to stress, relax the stressful spirit, regulate and treat the physical symptoms and relieve the depressive and anxious state.” They mapped out the acupuncture point selection choices based on TCM theory and note, “Those acupoints in combination are used to correct deficiency and expel blood stasis for both causative factors and symptoms, in order to realize the effects to soothe the liver, regulate qi, wake up the brain and tranquilize the heart-mind.”

The researchers contrasted integrative complementary medicine with a conventional drug therapy approach to care. Both approaches achieved similar positive patient outcomes. However, the acupuncture plus psychological intervention regime caused no adverse effects whereas the medication regime of care caused several adverse effects.

In related research, a meta-analysis of 87 papers published between 2002 and 2012 finds acupuncture effective in the treatment of labor pain and for the treatment of postpartum complications. Acupuncture was also found effective in inducing uterine contractions and shortening the birthing process. The report calls for continued research on acupuncture, herbal medicine and other forms of complementary medicine for the treatment of human reproductive issues.

An important study on acupuncture for the treatment of depression was recently conducted by University of York researchers. In a randomized controlled trial, the researchers note that acupuncture causes a “significant reduction in symptoms of depression in the short to medium term, and are not associated with serious adverse events.” The researchers conclude that acupuncture is both safe and effective as an adjunct therapy to primary care for patients with depression.
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A related laboratory investigation demonstrates that acupuncture benefits brain biochemistry and regulates gene expression related to depression. The researchers conclude that electroacupuncture treats “depression by modifying or regulating the expression of various genes.” Electroacupuncture was applied to acupuncture points Baihui (DU20) and Yintang on depression model laboratory rats.

Electroacupuncture successfully downregulated genes involved in oxidative stress and inflammation that had been pathologically upregulated by depression. The investigators note that normalization caused by electroacupuncture benefits the brain by “maintaining tissue structure” and “restoring cell function.” The researchers note this provides “evidence to the observed clinical effect of electroacupuncture on depression.” The study shows that acupuncture normalizes gene levels involved in transcription/translation, neurotransmission, signal transduction, immune system inflammatory responses, metabolism, enzymatic reactions and protein biosynthesis.

 

References:
Huang, Han-ling, Li Peng, Su Zheng, and Lu-shan Wang. “Observation on therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression.” Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 12, no. 6 (2014): 358-361.
Wu, Xiaoke, E. H. Ng, Elisabet Stener-Victorin, and Richard S. Legro. “Effects and Mechanisms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine during the Reproductive Process.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM 2014 (2014).
MacPherson, H., S. Richmond, M. Bland, S. Brealey, and R. Gabe. “Acupuncture and Counselling for Depression in Primary Care: A Randomised.” (2013).
Duan, Dongmei, Xiuyan Yang, T. Ya, and Liping Chen. “Hippocampal gene expression in a rat model of depression after electroacupuncture at the Baihui and Yintang acupoints.” Neural Regeneration Research 9, no. 1 (2014): 76.