Objective

2

To observe the clinical effect of

Tiaoshen Guben

holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion (holistic treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion by adjusting the mind and consolidating the root) on comorbidity of depression and insomnia.

Methods

2

Twenty-four patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia were included and treated with

Tiaoshen Guben

holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20)

Guanyuan (CV4)

bilateral Neiguan (PC6)

etc. The refined moxibustion therapy was delivered at Zhongwan (CV12)

Qihai (CV6)

bilateral Yongquan (KI1)

etc. Subcutaneous embedding therapy with thumb-tack needle was adopted at bilateral Xinshu (BL15)

bilateral Pishu (BL20)

etc. The intervention was operated once every other day

3 treatments a week

and for 6 consecutive weeks. Before and after treatment completion

and in 1 month after treatment

Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD-17) were adopted to assess sleep quality and depression symptoms in the patients

respectively. Before and after treatment completion

using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

the functional connectivity (FC) of locus coeruleus (LC) in brain regions was evaluated; and the levels of serum norepinephrine (NE)

cortisol (CORT)

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) were detected.

Results

2

Compared with the scores before treatment

PSQI and HAMD-17 scores after treatment completion and in 1 month after treatment were reduced (

P

<

0.01); and strengthened FC was revealed between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus

as well as the lateral occipital lobe r

egion. After treatment completion

serum NE was elevated (

P

<

0.01)

the levels of CORT

ACTH and CRH were reduced (

P

<

0.01). Before and after treatment completion

the difference in FC between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus was negatively correlated with the differences in PSQI score (

r

= -0.484

P

= 0.016) and HAMD-17 score (

r

= -0.233

P

= 0.027).

Conclusion

2

Tiaoshen Guben

holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively alleviate depression symptoms and improve sleep quality in the patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia

which is obtained probably through reducing the levels of serum CORT

ACTH and CRH

increasing serum NE

strengthening the FC of the right LC with the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus and the lateral occipital lobe region.