A new nursing intervention with non-invasive acupressure protocol for activation of
      parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress related depression symptoms.

The Efficacy of Acupressure Therapy on Patient With Depression

Depressive Disorder

Depressive Disorder, Major

Depressive Symptoms

Acupressure is a treatment method in which manual pressure is applied to specific points or
      areas of the body. According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these
      acupuncture points are stimulated along the energy channels (meridians) of the body. Finger
      pressure is mainly used here, in some cases also with a relaxing massage. According to TCM,
      this can stimulate the energy flow of the Qi. The therapist also tries to treat energetic
      blockages. Acupuncture is recommended for psychological problems, pain syndromes and sleep
      disorders, among other things.

      Acupressure has been established as an additional therapy offer in private department J of
      the UPK since the beginning of 2021. Patients with depression and anxiety disorders
      subjectively benefit from the treatment in terms of reducing stress symptoms and improving
      relaxation.

      Although patient acceptance is high, there are no high-quality studies on accompanying
      acupressure as part of standard treatments for depression, anxiety or sleep disorders. Their
      effectiveness in psychiatric patients is therefore controversial. Although there are few
      studies from "Western medicine" institutions, most of the clinical studies were carried out
      by Chinese colleagues. In most cases, only subjective assessment instruments were used to
      assess effectiveness without evaluating objective biomarker measurements such as cortisol
      concentration, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or cytokines.

      A hypothesis on the effectiveness of acupressure in western medicine has not been
      established. The vagus nerve stimulation may play a role and thus the activation of the
      parasympathetic nervous system - which in turn could lead to a reduction in stress symptoms
      and an increase in relaxation and regeneration in the short and/or medium term. The role of
      the social bonding hormone oxytocin has not been studied so far.

      The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of acupressure adjunctive therapy in Major
      Depressive Disorder (MDD) as part of evidence-based treatment as usual (TAU) as a randomized,
      single-blind study.

      Physiological and psychological assessment instruments should be used: cortisol levels in the
      saliva; serum oxytocin and BDNF levels; Heart rate variability, Hamilton Depression Rating
      Scale (HAM-D; third-party rating scale) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II, self-rating
      scale).

      The acupressure therapy protocol specially developed in the UPK could thus be established as
      a non-invasive, non-drug nursing therapy tool and achieve scientifically sound application in
      the UPK and other clinics, provided that proof of effectiveness is achieved.

      We are pursuing a long-term strategy with our study because we are convinced that the current
      treatment options for depression are not sufficient and could be supplemented and improved by
      innovative and complementary therapies. Acupuncture can play a helpful role as an easily
      accessible and inexpensive method.

Acupressure

Efficacy of Acupressure in Depression as Non-invasive Nursing Intervention - a Randomized Single-blind Trial With Psychological and Physiological Criteria

Beck Depression Inventory BDI (Max score >40 High depression, Min score < 10 Normal)

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale HDRS (Max score >18 Severe (moderate) depression, Min < 7 no depression)

Principal Investigator

Treatment as usual with pharmacotherapy and other complementary therapies

No actual acupoint pressed but same settings as in acupressure therapy

Treatment as usual plus acupressure intervention with selected acupoints pressure

The Efficacy of Acupressure Therapy on Patient With Depression

About this trial

Study ID

Status

Type

Phase

Placebo

Accepting

Not accepting

Trial Timing

What is this trial about?

What are the participation requirements?