Lingling Yang1, Yuan M Di2, Johannah L Shergis2, Yan Li1, Anthony L Zhang2, Chuanjian Lu1, Xinfeng Guo1, Charlie C Xue3. 1. Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, PR China. 2. The China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia. 3. Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, PR China; The China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: charlie.xue@rmit.edu.au.
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.
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.
Authors: Ryan Chow; Eileen Huang; Allen Li; Sophie Li; Sarah Y Fu; Jin S Son; Warren G Foster Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 3.007