A clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of self-administered acupressure on anxiety and depression of Japanese youth.
A Japanese randomized controlled trial randomized controlled trial of Horiuchi et al, published in the Global Journal of Health Science in 2015, evaluates the effectiveness of acupressure self-administered for two weeks on the mood of Japanese students state. The results demonstrate that INM improves mood of students compared to the control group.
The Study Rationale
In Japan, the regulation of mood is important for maintaining good mental health of students. 8% of Japanese students suffer from severe anxiety and depressive symptoms. 26% suffer from symptoms of moderate intensity. Solutions must be proposed to treat these health problems.
According to the theories of the meridians of Chinese medicine, acupressure would correct the flow of energy (called Qi) by applying finger pressure on specific acupoints. Acupressure self-administered may be a useful method to help students regulate their mood state.
The Question
The self-administered acupressure she treats the anxiety and depressed mood Japanese students?
The Protocol
The randomized controlled trial of Horiuchi et al, evaluating the effectiveness of acupressure self-administered on levels of Japanese students mood. The study focuses on 54 students with an average age of 29 years. Participants were studying at the University of Fukuoka in the medical specialty of acupuncture and moxibustion. The students were randomly placed in either the group receiving the intervention of acupressure or in the control group. The main measure levels involved in mood (POMS-J questionnaire). Six subscales were evaluated as: anxiety, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue and confusion. Participants assessed early intervention and late response to two weeks.
The tested Non-Pharmacological Intervention (NPI)
Before the intervention, participants were trained to locate six acupuncture points in the neck. INM was to perform acupressure sessions three times a day (upon waking, after lunch and before bedtime) for 15 days. For each session, participants were applying pressure with the thumbs to the six points of acupuncture for five seconds each to achieve a feeling of comfort.
Main Results
The results show an improvement in mood (anxiety, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue and confusion) for the acupressure group compared to the control group at the end of intervention.
What it means for Patients
Acupressure points self-administered for 15 days in the neck can reduce anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue and confusion and improve vitality.
What it means for Healthcare Professionals
Sessions 3 times a day acupressure self-administered for 15 days would allow students to reduce their anxiety, their depression, their fatigue, their anger, confusion and improve their vitality.
What it means for Researchers
This test is one of the first to show that self-administration of acupressure reduces anxiety and a depressive symptomatology. By cons, this study has many limitations, it is acupuncture students, the group control is not a placebo with identical contact times, the participants are not selected on a level of anxiety and depressive disorder initial. Non-drug intervention studies require rigorous methodology and ethics to avoid erroneous conclusions. Funding for this kind of study should be encouraged to see clearly.
What it means for Policymakers
Self-management of mood by acupressure self-administered for 15 days seems an appropriate solution for improving the mental health of Japanese students at risk of depression and anxiety disorders. The effectiveness of self-management of mood methods (e.g. acupressure, relaxation, biofeedback, CBT) deserves to be studied by the most rigorous protocols.
The reference
Horiuchi S, Tsuda A, Honda Y, Kobayashi H, Naruse M, Tsuchiyagaito A (2015). Mood Changes by Self Administered Acupressure in Japanese College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Global Journal of Health Science, 7(4), 40-44
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To reference this Blog en Sante © article.
Ninot G (2016). The self-administered acupressure would care for mood disorders. Blog en Sante, A81.
© Copyright 2016 Grégory Ninot. All rights reserved.