Acupuncture-related therapies are more effective than hormone therapy in relieving anxiety and depression symptoms in women with decreased ovarian function.
The researchers performed a comprehensive search of eight prominent databases to find randomized controlled trials concerning the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture on patients with ovarian hypofunction, up to October 30, 2024. These databases included international platforms such as PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, as well as China's Biomedical, National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases. 12 such trials involving 780 patients were selected for meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of acupuncture-related therapies on these patients' mental health.
The results of this study indicated that acupuncture-related therapies were superior to hormone therapy in relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with ovarian hypofunction. The included trials involved three categories of patients: those with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and premature ovarian failure (POF). Across all patient categories, acupuncture-related therapy consistently outperformed hormone therapy, supporting the use of these therapies in addressing mental health issues associated with decreased ovarian function.
