Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for 24 cases of comorbidity of depression and insomnia.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241118-k0001
- Author:
Zhongxian LI
1
;
Pan ZHANG
1
;
Qiaoyu JI
1
;
Min PENG
1
;
Zitong JIAO
1
;
Yifu ZHOU
1
;
Junquan LIANG
1
;
Luda YAN
1
;
Wenbin FU
2
;
Peng ZHOU
1
Author Information
1. Seventh School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of CM, Shenzhen 518100, Guangdong Province, China; Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Bao'an TCM Hospital, Shenzhen 518100, Guangdong Province.
2. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of TCM.
- Publication Type:Clinical Trial
- Keywords:
Tiaoshen Guben therapy;
acupuncture and moxibustion;
depression;
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis;
insomnia;
locus coeruleus;
norepinephrine
- MeSH:
Humans;
Moxibustion;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy*;
Male;
Female;
Middle Aged;
Adult;
Acupuncture Therapy;
Depression/complications*;
Aged;
Young Adult;
Acupuncture Points;
Comorbidity
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2025;45(11):1559-1564
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical effect of Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion (holistic treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion by adjusting the mind and consolidating the root) on comorbidity of depression and insomnia.
METHODS:Twenty-four patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia were included and treated with Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Neiguan (PC6), etc. The refined moxibustion therapy was delivered at Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), bilateral Yongquan (KI1), etc. Subcutaneous embedding therapy with thumb-tack needle was adopted at bilateral Xinshu (BL15), bilateral Pishu (BL20), etc. The intervention was operated once every other day, 3 treatments a week, and for 6 consecutive weeks. Before and after treatment completion, and in 1 month after treatment, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD-17) were adopted to assess sleep quality and depression symptoms in the patients, respectively. Before and after treatment completion, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the functional connectivity (FC) of locus coeruleus (LC) in brain regions was evaluated; and the levels of serum norepinephrine (NE), cortisol (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) were detected.
RESULTS:Compared with the scores before treatment, PSQI and HAMD-17 scores after treatment completion and in 1 month after treatment were reduced (P<0.01); and strengthened FC was revealed between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus, as well as the lateral occipital lobe region. After treatment completion, serum NE was elevated (P<0.01), the levels of CORT, ACTH and CRH were reduced (P<0.01). Before and after treatment completion, the difference in FC between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus was negatively correlated with the differences in PSQI score (r = -0.484, P = 0.016) and HAMD-17 score (r = -0.233, P = 0.027).
CONCLUSION:Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively alleviate depression symptoms and improve sleep quality in the patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia, which is obtained probably through reducing the levels of serum CORT, ACTH and CRH, increasing serum NE, strengthening the FC of the right LC with the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus and the lateral occipital lobe region.
