Randomised controlled trial on the use of acupuncture in adults with chronic, non-responding anxiety symptoms

Errington-Evans, N.

Acupuncture in Medicine

2015

33(2)

98-102

RCT

ANXIETY -- Treatment

CHRONIC diseases -- Treatment

Acupuncture

CONFIDENCE intervals

LONGITUDINAL method

MENTAL status examination

Questionnaires

RESEARCH -- Finance

SECONDARY analysis

RANDOMIZED controlled trials

DATA analysis -- Software

DESCRIPTIVE statistics

Background A group of adults can be identified with chronic non-responding anxiety symptoms who have repeatedly accessed treatments through their GP, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, bibliotherapy and medication, but with no effect. These patients make heavy use of health service resources with no beneficial outcome. This study aims to test the effect of an acupuncture formula of three specific acupuncture points, suggested in a previous pilot study. Method 40 participants from a psychiatry waiting list were randomised into one of two groups: group 1 (n=25) received 10 weeks of acupuncture at PC6, HT7 and LR3, and group 2 was a waiting list control group. The waiting list group (n=15) then received acupuncture. Both groups were followed up for 10 weeks after treatment. The outcome measure was the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results 36 patients completed the study, with two dropouts in each group. State anxiety scores in the acupuncture group decreased from 57.7 (SD 13.1) to 38.8 (12.0); scores in the waiting list control group decreased from 61.5 (11.6) to 60.6 (11.7). The difference was highly significant (p<0.0001). Similar changes were seen for trait anxiety scores. The control group showed similar statistically significant improvements when they received acupuncture. The improvements were maintained after 10 weeks of follow-up in each group. Conclusions Acupuncture is a promising intervention for patients with chronic anxiety symptoms that have proven resistant to other forms of treatment.

Accession Number: 101992270; Source Information: Apr2015, Vol. 33 Issue 2, p98; Subject Term: ANXIETY -- Treatment; Subject Term: CHRONIC diseases -- Treatment; Subject Term: ACUPUNCTURE; Subject Term: CONFIDENCE intervals; Subject Term: LONGITUDINAL method; Subject Term: MENTAL status examination; Subject Term: QUESTIONNAIRES; Subject Term: RESEARCH -- Finance; Subject Term: SECONDARY analysis; Subject Term: RANDOMIZED controlled trials; Subject Term: DATA analysis -- Software; Subject Term: DESCRIPTIVE statistics; Subject Term: ; Number of Pages: 5p; ; Document Type: Article;

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