Evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The data showed that acupuncture was an effective treatment for anxiety and improved the well-being of these patients.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disorder in which part of the brain is progressively damaged over many years. The main cause is the loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain called "substantia nigra". This leads to a reduction in a molecule involved in the body's movement (called dopamine). Therefore, common PD symptoms include involuntarily shaking of particular parts of the body (tremor), slow movements, and stiff and inflexible muscles.

Around 30-50% of patients with PD have symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Treatment options for patients with PD suffering from depression/anxiety are limited. Acupuncture is a practice where small needles are inserted into different body points to stimulate nerves in that area. The effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of anxiety in patients with PD is still unknown.

This study involved 64 patients with PD suffering from anxiety. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 included 32 patients who received acupuncture treatment. Group 2 included 32 patients who received placebo treatment (fake acupuncture). Patients were followed up 8 weeks after treatment. A standardized questionnaire called Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) score was used to measure anxiety.

After 8 weeks, group 1 had a significant 7.03-point greater reduction in HAM-A score compared with group 2, meaning less anxiety. There were no serious side effects.

This study concluded that acupuncture was an effective treatment for anxiety and improved the well-being of patients with PD.

The sample size was very small. This study only included patients treated at a single institution in China. Larger studies at different institutions are necessary.