To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment on depressive symptoms and myalgia in patients with hepatitis.
Of 44 patients with hepatitis screened for depression and myalgia, 28 were enrolled and included in the study. The main outcome measure for depressive symptoms was Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). For pain/myalgia, patients rated their pain on a scale from 0 to 10. Practitioners assigned patients exceeding the cut-off point in either BDI or myalgia scores to acupuncture treatment.
The Chinese method of acupuncture was used. Treatment continued for 6 weeks.
Patient receiving Acupuncture for Depression
RESULTS:
At baseline, 17/44 patients (39%) had a BDI score ≥17 and 24 (55%) had a pain score ≥5. Acupuncture treatment effectively engaged 28 patients, divided into three groups: Group 1 (13 patients with high BDI ≥17 and high myalgia scores ≥5), Group 2 (11 patients with low BDI but high myalgia scores), and Group 3 (4 patients with high BDI but low myalgia scores). All patients fully adhered, completing all sessions without dropouts. End-treatment BDI and myalgia scores significantly improved compared to baseline levels.
CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture seems to be a promising treatment for patients with hepatitis. Larger studies actively confirm acupuncture’s therapeutic role across diverse populations.
Acupuncture for Depression
P04.56. Acupoint versus non-acupoint injection of antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Acupoint injection of interferon-alpha showed a significantly better effect on the loss of serum HBeAg than intramuscular injection (RR 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10 to 1.70; 3 trials). Similarly, acupoint injection of interferon-alpha was better than intravenous infusion for loss of serum HBeAg (RR 2.38, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.83; 3 trials). However, there was no significant difference between acupoint and intramuscular injection of interferon-alpha in terms of the loss of serum HBsAg or HBV DNA. Acupoint injection of poly I-C, or matrine showed beneficial effects on loss of serum HBeAg compared with intramuscular injection. Acupoint injection of antiviral drugs did not report extra adverse effects from the included trials.