Efficacy and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for PTSD: evidence from animal and clinical studies
Tang X, Lin S, Fang D, Lin B, Yao L, Wang L, Xu Q, Lu L, Xu N · Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience · 2023 May 02
DOI 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1163718
Objective
There has been no comprehensive review that elucidates both the therapeutic effects and underlying biological mechanisms of acupuncture. To address this, we conducted a systematic review of the evidence-based data on acupuncture treatment for PTSD by searching relevant databases for both efficacy and underlying mechanisms. Specifically, a meta-analysis was used to assess the efficacy of acupuncture for PTSD, and the most commonly used acupoint and parameters of acupuncture were summarized based on animal and clinical studies. In addition, we summarized the current mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of PTSD.
Conclusions
In conclusion, many studies have confirmed that acupuncture could improve many symptoms in patients with PTSD by meta-analysis. Acupuncture's effect on PTSD may be mediated by the promotion of neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity in multiple brain areas, the regulation of stress responses in the neuroendocrine system, and signaling pathway involvement. This finding indicates that acupuncture has promising potential for treating PTSD.
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