| Acupuncture Improves Depression in Pregnant Women |
| Written by Elaine R. Ferguson, MD | |
| Sunday, 07 March 2010 | |
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At a recent annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Pregnancy Meeting, presenters revealed the findings that show acupuncture may be an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy.
At a recent annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Pregnancy Meeting, presenters revealed the findings that show acupuncture may be an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy. "Depression during pregnancy is an issue of concern because it has negative effects on the mother and the baby as well as the rest of the family," said Dr. Schnyer, one of the study's authors. While the rates of depression in pregnant women are comparable to rates seen among similarly aged non-pregnant women and among women during the postpartum period, there are fewer treatment studies of depression during pregnancy than during the postpartum period. Anti-depressant treatment during pregnancy can affect the developing baby and mothers as well. The 150 study participants with Major Depressive Disorder were randomly placed in one of three groups: one that received acupuncture specific depression treatment; one that received control acupuncture-they received acupuncture that was not specific for depression and the last received massage. The mothers received 12 sessions during an eight week period. Junior acupuncturists unaware of the treatment group assignment needled participants at points prescribed by senior acupuncturists. The mother's symptoms of depression were rated at the beginning, after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The women in the acupuncture specific treatment experienced much greater decrease in the severity of their symptoms compared to both control groups or the non-specific acupuncture group alone. They also had a higher response rate thant the combined controls or the control acupuncture alone. The reduction of symptoms and response rates did not differ greatly between the two control groups. Forty three of the 150 participants reported mild and brief side effects (20 in the depression specific acupuncture group, 19 in the non-specific acupuncture group and 4 in the massage group). Notably fewer participants reported side effects in the massage group than in the two acupuncture groups. "The results of our study show that the acupuncture protocol we tested could be a viable treatment option for depression during pregnancy" said Dr. Schnyer. The Article Author: Want to find out more about acupuncture , then visit Elaine R. Ferguson, MD's site on how to choose the best holistic health information for your needs. |
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