Acupuncture may alleviate depression symptoms during pregnancy, according to a new study performed at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The study, led by Rachel Manber, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, said they hope the results will address depression during pregnancy and provide patients an alternative to using antidepressants. It will also help increase awareness among pregnant woman about depression.
The study was conducted after 14% of pregnant women suffered major depressive disorder, a condition characterized by feelings of dread, gloom and hopelessness, as well as a loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities.
The research was conducted on 150 women whose pregnancies were between 12 and 30 weeks, and who suffered from major depressive disorder. The women were divided into three groups to receive one of three treatments: depression-specific acupuncture; control acupuncture, during which needles were inserted in points not thought to help relieve depressive symptoms; or massage. The women received eight weeks of therapy and were assessed for depression at four and eight weeks by an interviewer who was unaware of which treatments were being given.
The researchers found that women who received the acupuncture for depression, experienced a greater reduction in depression symptoms than the women in the other two groups.
Source: One India
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