• ACUPUNCTURE
• HERBAL MEDICINE
• HEALTH FUND REBATES

ACUPUNCTURE TO TREAT DEPRESSION

SUMMARY OF UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
Aim

The study is designed to test the effectiveness of using acupuncture to treat depression

Subjects
The subjects in the study were diagnosed as experiencing an episode of major depression. They were also prescribed and taking antidepressants called Serotonin Selective Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). This means the subjects where people who, despite taking medication for their depression, were still experiencing significant levels of depression.

Method
Subjects in the acupuncture intervention group received the acupuncture treatment and continued taking their prescribed SSRIs for an 8 week treatment program. Those in the acupuncture intervention group were then compared to a wait list control group in which subjects continued to take the medication (with no acupuncture) over an 8 week period.

Consideration was taken so comparisons could be made between men and women. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), along with other measures, was used to make pre and post intervention comparisons.

Results – acupuncture intervention
On average, subjects entered the study classified as moderately depressed (average BDI of 27.39). After the acupuncture treatment, the subjects experienced a statistically significant reduction in their levels of depression. On average, their post treatment levels of depression were reduced to a rating of minimal (average BDI of 12.03). Pre and post treatment comparisons between males and females showed similar improvements in the severity of their depression.

Results- medication only
Those who continued to only take their prescribed SSRI antidepressant medication demonstrated no significant change in their levels of depression.

Conclusions
1) Acupuncture is effective in treating depression when it used as an adjunct therapy to SSRI antidepressants.
2) Males and females who took SSRI antidepressants experienced similarly significant rates of reduction in their level of depression as a result of the acupuncture treatment.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE TREATED FOR YOUR DEPRESSION?
Since the research project has concluded, there are no longer positions available for those who would like to enter the study as a subject. If you would like acupuncture treatment for your depression, Kirk Wilson is available to give treatments at his private clinic, Meridian Healing Centre. Kirk’s success rate in treating depression with acupuncture with his private patients is similar to that achieved in his research.
Phone (02) 9231 3377 to make an appointment.