This 2009 OCD acupuncture research study was entitled “Electroacupuncture for Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Pilot Waitlist-Controlled Trial.” It was conducted at the School of Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong, China, and published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease in August 2009.
Background
A large proportion of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients do not respond well to medications or cognitive-behavioral therapy. This pilot study, which was waitlist-controlled, sought to determine the effectiveness of electroacupuncture as an add-on therapy for treatment-resistant OCD.
Participants
Researchers randomly assigned nineteen patients with treatment-resistant OCD to two groups. Group 1 received electroacupuncture treatment for 12 sessions (5 sessions per week). Group 2 received no treatment (waitlist) for control purposes. Both groups continued taking their current anti-OCD medications during the study.
Outcome Measurements
The clinical outcomes in this OCD acupuncture research study were measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, as well as the Clinical Global Impression-Severity. Researchers took measurements at the beginning and end of the study.
Results
Participants who received electroacupuncture treatment produced more significant improvements at the end of the study compared with the waitlist group. Both the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores confirmed this outcome.
OCD Acupuncture Research Conclusions
As an additional therapy, electroacupuncture is effective in alleviating OCD symptoms in treatment-resistant patients. A large-scale controlled study is warranted.
Our Experience At Raleigh Acupuncture
This OCD acupuncture research study confirms our own experience at Raleigh Acupuncture. We have been treating patients with OCD for over 15 years. In most cases, patients show significant improvements in their condition. They have reduced anxiety levels, less obsessive thoughts, and there is a corresponding decrease in compulsive behavior.
And unlike medications, acupuncture has no adverse side effects. Treatments are relaxing for the patients, and many of them fall asleep during their sessions. Furthermore, benefits from acupuncture treatment are long-lasting.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Next Steps
If you, or someone you love, have obsessive-compulsive behavior, try acupuncture.
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References
Zhang, Zhang-Jin MD, Ph.D.; Wang, Xue-Yi MD; Tan, Qing-Rong MD; Jin, Gui-Xing MD; Yao, Shao-Min MD, School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease: August 2009 – Volume 197 – Issue 8 – p 619-622 DOI: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181b05fd1
