Does acupuncture work for anxiety? Some studies reveal that it does! Explore the findings.
Several studies indicate that acupuncture works to relieve anxiety.
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat aches and pains successfully. Because it is non-invasive, safe, and inexpensive, more professionals are beginning to examine this alternative therapy for the treatment of more complex disorders, including anxiety, depression, and mental health. Several recent studies, including those that were not explicitly testing acupuncture’s effectiveness for anxiety, have indicated positive results.
Dig Deeper
- Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture to Treat Anxiety
- Acupuncture for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Acupuncture for Menopausal Anxiety
- Acupuncture for Dental Anxiety
- Resources
Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture to Treat Anxiety
A study conducted by researchers in Portugal set out to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in the treatment of anxiety after five and ten sessions independent of medication used to treat anxiety disorders and to assess if or not one was more effective than the other. [1]
The study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice observed an improvement in anxiety after five treatments of acupuncture and five treatments of electroacupuncture, showing similar effectiveness. The authors concluded that “Acupuncture and electroacupuncture are effective in treating anxiety on their own or as adjuncts to pharmacological therapy.” [2]
Definitions
- Anxiety – The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” [3]
- Double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial – a research study where the participants are randomly assigned to treatment groups, and neither the researchers nor study participants know which treatment is being used. The trial is designed to minimize bias and provide a highly reliable way to test the effectiveness of a new treatment or intervention. [4]
Acupuncture for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
A study by researchers in China explored whether acupuncture has a positive effect on generalized anxiety disorder through a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of anxiety symptoms. [5]
The study published in the Annals of General Psychiatry observed that acupuncture was more effective in treating anxiety symptoms than the control condition and “that acupuncture intervention showed good tolerance and safety in the treatment of anxiety disorder.” The study authors concluded, “Our findings suggest that acupuncture therapy aimed at reducing anxiety in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has certain beneficial effects compared to controls.” [6]
Definitions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The American Psychological Association defines generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as “persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities. This ongoing worry and tension may be accompanied by physical symptoms, such as restlessness, feeling on edge or easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension or problems sleeping.” [7]
- Systematic Review: Systematic reviews typically involve a detailed and comprehensive plan and search strategy to reduce bias by identifying, appraising, and synthesizing all relevant studies on a particular topic. [8]
- Meta-Analysis – Meta-analysis uses statistical techniques to synthesize the data from several studies into a single quantitative estimate or summary effect size. [9]
Acupuncture for Menopausal Anxiety
A study by researchers at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, evaluated acupuncture’s short- and long-term effects on vasomotor symptoms caused by hormone level fluctuations such as those experienced during menopause. [10]
The study, published in Menopause, observed, “Acupuncture had a significant positive effect on hot flash interference, sleep, somatic and memory symptoms, and anxiety, and these benefits were maintained 6 months following the end of treatment.” The study authors concluded, “Acupuncture as practiced in clinical settings can have a positive benefit on reducing hot flashes and improving sleep and other symptoms relative to no acupuncture.” [11]
Definitions
- Vasomotor – The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines vasomotor as “of, relating to, or being nerves or the centers (as in the medulla oblongata or spinal cord) from which they arise that regulate the amount of blood passing to a particular body part or organ by controlling the internal diameter of blood vessels.” [12]
Acupuncture for Dental Anxiety
A small case study involving patients suffering from odontophobia, a severe fear of dentistry, examined the effects of acupuncture on dental anxiety before dental treatment. [13]
The study published in Acupuncture in Medicine observed, “Acupuncture prior to dental treatment has a beneficial effect on the level of anxiety in patients with dental anxiety and may offer a simple and inexpensive method of treatment.” The study authors concluded, “The present results need to be tested in a larger randomised clinical trial in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment in patients with dental anxiety.” [14]
Resources
- [1][2] Amorim, Diogo, et al. “Electroacupuncture and acupuncture in the treatment of anxiety – A double-blinded randomized parallel clinical trial.” Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice vol. 46 (2022): 101541. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101541
- [3] American Psychological Association – “Anxiety.”
- [4] National Cancer Institute – “Definition of double-blind study.”
- [5][6] Yang, Xiang-Yun, et al. “Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.” Annals of General Psychiatry vol. 20,1 9. 30 Jan. 2021.
- [7] American Psychological Association – “Types of Anxiety Disorders.“
- [8][9] Uman L. S. (2011). Systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry = Journal de l’Academie canadienne de psychiatrie de l’enfant et de l’adolescent, 20(1), 57–59.
- [10][11] Avis, Nancy E et al. “Acupuncture in Menopause (AIM) study: a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial.” Menopause (New York, N.Y.) vol. 23,6 (2016): 626-37. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000597
- [12] Merriam-Webster Dictionary – “Vasomotor Definition & Meaning.“
- [13][14] Rosted, Palle, and Mads Bungaard. “Acupuncture in the Management of Anxiety Related to Dental Treatment: A Case Series.” Acupuncture in Medicine, vol. 107, 2003, pp. 1160–64.
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