EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY ON SOMATIZATION DISORDER: A PILOT CLINICAL TRIAL REPORT

10.6338/JDA.202406_19(2).0003

Nomin-Erdene Ulambayar；Jargal Batkhurel；Enkhtuya Vankhuu

acupuncture ； somatization disorder ； depression ； anxiety

Journal of Data Analysis

19卷2期（2024 / 06 / 01）

17 - 26

英文

Background: In this study we examined the clinical effects of acupuncture treatment for patients with somatization disorder with unexplained pain and symptoms. Objectives: evaluation of the acupuncture treatments effects on somatization disorder. Material and methods: This is the double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Somatization disorder patients received 10 real or sham acupuncture treatments for 2 weeks, with a 4 and 12 week-follow-up assessment. Somatization disorder-related pain, the severity of depression, anxiety symptoms, personality and adverse effects were measured by SSS-8, SCL-90, HAMD, and HAMA standard tools. Results: Total 68 patients were included in this study, randomized into the Real acupuncture group (RA) and the Sham acupuncture group (SA). Following the treatment, both groups showed a reduction in mean somatic symptom intensity (Somatic Symptom Scale-8, SSS-8) and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) (p=0.001) but RA showed a more significant scaling down (p=0.000) that was sustained longer. Conclusion: Our study suggests acupuncture therapy reduces the several bodily discomforts and somatic symptom severity, decreases secondary depression and anxiety levels.