Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
www.pharmpress.com/fact
Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2006; 11: 41–2
The objective of this paper is to outline the approach taken by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia, and to review the studies available on the use of acupuncture in this field, outlining the evidence already available and highlighting the case for research into this treatment approach in the UK.
The outline of the TCM approach to the treatment of psychosis was drawn from texts on TCM psychiatry and general medicine while research papers for review were identified by means of a literature search using Ovid, Medline, Psych-info, Yahoo, Google and author contact.
Although the Western and TCM models approach the treatment of psychosis from different perspectives, there are parallels in thinking about aetiology and symptoms. Most of the research is from China and is somewhat dated, with a small number of studies having been conducted in the West. The review yielded evidence that acupuncture may be effective in the treatment of psychosis, but more and better designed studies are needed to show viability.
There appears to be good grounds for further research into acupuncture as a treatment for psychosis. Carrying this out under modern scientific research conditions would help clarify whether and how this treatment might work. Obstacles such as ethics, funding and how such a study might be controlled will have to be overcome.
No funding has been received for this project.
