A systematic review of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for postpartum depression. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Lingling; Di, Yuan M.; Shergis, Johannah L.; Li, Yan; Zhang, Anthony L.; Lu, Chuanjian; Guo, Xinfeng; Xue, Charlie C.
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 33(2018)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Postpartum depression -- Chinese herbal medicine -- Acupuncture -- Systematic review -- Meta-analysis -- Randomized controlled trial; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.08.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Background and purpose: Chinese medicine is increasingly used by women with postpartum depression (PPD). We systematically analyzed randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for PPD. Methods: Studies were retrieved from English and Chinese databases. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess methodological quality. Results: Fifteen CHM, and three acupuncture studies were included. Low quality evidence suggested that CHM alone or combined with antidepressants as add-on therapy may reduce symptoms of depression compared to placebo or antidepressants on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). There was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture and antidepressants. Adverse events were rare. Conclusions: CHM reduced PPD symptoms greater than placebo or antidepressants. Acupuncture was neither superior nor inferior to antidepressants. More rigorously designed studies are required to confirm the effect of CHM and acupuncture for PPD. Highlights: This systematic review provides up-to-date evidence of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for postpartum depression. We found Chinese herbal medicine improved depression symptoms and severity compared to antidepressants. Acupuncture was neither superior nor inferior to sham or antidepressants. Adverse events were similar to sham/placebo and less than antidepressants. The full extent of the effect remains inconclusive due to poor quality extant randomized controlled trials.