There are numerous other research studies on the efficacy of acupuncture in dealing with emotional/mental disorders.
One study funded by the National Institutes for Health (NIH) found that among women suffering from depression, 70% of participants experienced at least a 50% reduction of symptoms. This research marked the first U.S. randomized, controlled, double-blind study of acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating depression. The NIH funded study concludes, “Acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in a good way.”
In another study conducted by Stanford University found that those who were given acupuncture treatments had significantly fewer depressive symptoms. The researchers conclude that “acupuncture holds promise for treatment of depression during pregnancy” and may help with the long term management of depression.
A study published by researchers from the University of York in the United Kingdom showed patients who suffer from depression may benefit more from acupuncture or counseling alongside their medications, compared with medications alone. In this randomized controlled trial of 755 patients with moderate to severe depression, after three months of treatment, patients who received acupuncture showed a significant reduction in average depression scores.