Can acupuncture enhance therapeutic effectiveness of antidepressants and reduce adverse drug reactions in patients with depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
10.1016/j.joim.2022.05.002
- Author:
Ming-Min XU
1
,
2
;
Pei GUO
3
;
Qing-Yu MA
1
,
4
;
Xuan ZHOU
1
,
4
;
Yu-Long WEI
5
;
Lu WANG
6
;
Yue CHEN
5
;
Yu GUO
1
,
7
Author Information
1. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
2. Acupuncture and Tuina School/Third Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
3. School of Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
4. Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Formula-Pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Formula-Pattern Research Center, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China.
5. School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
6. Acupuncture and Tuina School/Third Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
7. Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Formula-Pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Formula-Pattern Research Center, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China. Electronic address: guoy046@jnu.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Acupuncture plus antidepressants;
Adverse drug reactions;
Depression;
Meta-analysis;
Systematic review;
Therapeutic effectiveness
- MeSH:
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*;
Antidepressive Agents/adverse effects*;
Depression/drug therapy*;
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/drug therapy*;
Humans
- From:
Journal of Integrative Medicine
2022;20(4):305-320
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Some depressed patients receive acupuncture as an adjunct to their conventional medications.
OBJECTIVE:This review aims to provide evidence on whether acupuncture can enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of antidepressants for treating depression, and explore whether acupuncture can reduce the adverse reactions associated with antidepressants.
SEARCH STRATEGY:English and Chinese databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until December 1, 2021.
INCLUSION CRITERIA:RCTs with a modified Jadad scale score ≥ 4 were included if they compared a group of participants with depression that received acupuncture combined with antidepressants with a control group that received antidepressants alone.
DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS:Meta-analysis was performed, and statistical heterogeneity was assessed based on Cochran's Q statistic and its related P-value. Primary outcomes were the reduction in the severity of depression and adverse reactions associated with antidepressants, while secondary outcomes included remission rate, treatment response, social functioning, and change in antidepressant dose. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to evaluate the overall quality of evidence in the included studies.
RESULTS:This review included 16 studies (with a total of 1958 participants). Most studies were at high risk of performance bias and at low or unclear risk of selection bias, detection bias, attrition bias, reporting bias, and other bias. Analysis of the 16 RCTs showed that, compared with antidepressants alone, acupuncture along with antidepressants reduced the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17) scores (standard mean difference [SMD] -0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.55 to -0.33, P < 0.01; I2 = 14%), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores (SMD -0.53, 95% CI -0.84 to -0.23, P < 0.01; I2 = 79%), and the Side Effect Rating Scale (SERS) scores (SMD -1.11, 95% CI -1.56 to -0.66, P < 0.01; I2 = 89%). Compared with antidepressants alone, acupuncture along with antidepressants improved World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scores (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.44, P < 0.01; I2 = 15%), decreased the number of participants who increased their antidepressant dosages (relative risk [RR] 0.32, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.48, P < 0.01; I2 = 0%), and resulted in significantly higher remission rates (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.83, P < 0.01; I2 = 0%) and treatment responses (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.47, P < 0.01; I2 = 19%) in terms of HAMD-17 scores. The HAMD-17, SDS and SERS scores were assessed as low quality by GRADE and the other indices as being of moderate quality.
CONCLUSION:Acupuncture as an adjunct to antidepressants may enhance the therapeutic effectiveness and reduce the adverse drug reactions in patients receiving antidepressants. These findings must be interpreted with caution, as the evidence was of low or moderate quality and there was a lack of comparative data with a placebo control.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION:INPLASY202150008.
