Abstract
There is growing interest in the utility of nonpharmacologic treatments
for mood symptoms, including mood elevation and depression associated
with bipolar disorders. The purpose of this research was to provide
preliminary data on the safety, effectiveness, and acceptability
of adjunctive acupuncture in the acute treatment of hypomania and
depression associated with bipolar disorder.Two randomized trials
were conducted to assess the benefits of adjunctive acupuncture for
symptoms of depression and hypomania in patients with bipolar disorder
(DSM-IV criteria). For 20 patients experiencing symptoms of hypomania,
targeted acupuncture (points specific to symptoms) was compared to
acupuncture points off the acupuncture meridian over 12 weeks (from
May 2000 through May 2003). For patients experiencing symptoms of
depression (n = 26), targeted acupuncture was compared to acupuncture
for nonpsychiatric health concerns over 8 weeks (from November 2001
through May 2003). Preexisting psychotropic medications were maintained
at stable doses throughout study participation.Regardless of acupuncture
assignment or symptom pattern at entry, all patients experienced
improvement over the course of study participation. There was evidence
that acupuncture treatment did target the symptom dimension of interest
(mood elevation in Study I, depression in Study II). There were few
negative side effects and no attrition directly associated with adjunctive
acupuncture.Novel methodologies are needed to assess the utility
of acupuncture as adjunctive treatment of mood episodes associated
with bipolar disorder. We observed similar benefits associated with
"placebo" acupuncture experiences and active treatment. Further studies
are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION (STUDY II): (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Identifier: NCT00071669.
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