Acupuncture treating anxiety
Effectiveness: Acupuncture has been found to reduce anxiety symptoms, especially when self-assessment scales are used. It may work faster with shorter treatment durations and showed greater effectiveness compared to some Western medicines.
Safety: Minimal side effects were reported, with fewer adverse events compared to control treatments. Common side effects like needle pain and faintness were rarely reported.
Mechanisms: Acupuncture is believed to help regulate the nervous system, promote relaxation, reduce stress, and balance neurotransmitters and hormones.
Limitations: It is important to note that due to research limitations, not everyone may benefit from acupuncture.
Anxiety disorders can affect both mental and physical health in various ways. While conventional treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) are commonly recommended, some people turn to complementary and alternative therapies like acupuncture for their potential benefits and fewer side effects.
A meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating anxiety. This analysis included twenty randomised controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on patients with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
The studies revealed that acupuncture had a positive impact on reducing anxiety symptoms. Acupuncture showed greater effectiveness in reducing anxiety symptoms when self-assessment scales were used instead of clinician-assessment scales.
It had a quicker effect when the treatment duration was shorter (less than 6 weeks) compared to longer treatment duration.
The side effects of acupuncture were minimal, with fewer adverse events compared to control treatments. The reviewed studies indicated that acupuncture therapy is generally well-tolerated and safe for treating anxiety disorders. Common side effects, such as needle pain, haematoma, faintness, and bleeding, were infrequently reported.
Reference:
Yang, Xy., Yang, Nb., Huang, Ff. et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Ann Gen Psychiatry 20, 9 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-021-00327-5