Acupoint Stimulation Improves Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) relieved symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, shows a new study.  The Journal of Psychiatric Research published the results of a prospective, randomized controlled trial with 360 patients with diagnosed OCD. 

One group received TEAS, behavior therapy and clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant with anti-obsessional effects.  The second group received TEAS, behavior therapy and a placebo medication.  The third group received sham TEAS as a placebo, plus therapy and clomipramine. 

Both TEAS groups had significantly more improvement compared to the sham acupoint stimulation group. (88.3% and 87.1% as compared to 67.5%) 

Additionally, the two TEAS groups also had significantly higher rates of remission.  (30% and 22.5% compared to 9.2%)

The group receiving the pill placebo had the fewest adverse effects. 

Bin Feng of the Department of Psychiatry at Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province in China was the lead author of the study that concluded, "TEAS enhances the efficacy of conventional OCD interventions and advoids the adverse effects associated with conventional pharmacological treatment."

Feng B, Zhang Z, Shu R, et  al. "Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation as an adjuct therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized controlled study." Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2016 May 28: [Epub ahead of print].

This post adapted from an article by Terri Airov:

http://www.psychcongress.com/article/can-transcutaneous-electrical-acupoint-stimulation-reduce-ocd-symptoms-27756

http://www.psychcongress.com/article/can-transcutaneous-electrical-acupoint-stimulation-reduce-ocd-symptoms-27756