The Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture on Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review
A study by Chan-Young Kwon, Boram Lee, Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-eui University
Acupuncture has shown potential in reducing the risk of suicidal behavior in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of acupuncture, including manual acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and acupressure. These studies have demonstrated positive outcomes related to suicidal behavior, as well as other conditions such as depression.
Study Selection Process
The study conducted a systematic review of acupuncture for suicidal behavior and depression.
A total of 2516 articles were initially retrieved, and after screening, 8 studies were included in the review.
The included studies were published between 2014 and 2021 and involved a total of 351 participants.
The study designs included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), before-after studies, and single-case experimental studies.
Most of the studies were conducted in China and targeted participants with suicidal ideation or depression.
Characteristics of Included Studies
The longest duration of treatment in the included studies was 3 months, but most studies had a treatment duration of 4 weeks or 1 month.
The included studies analyzed the effects of acupuncture on participants with suicidal behavior or depression.
The study provides a summary of the characteristics of the included studies in Table 1.
Quality Assessment and Data Extraction
The extraction process was conducted by two independent authors, and disagreements were resolved through discussion.
In case of missing or uncertain data, the authors contacted the first and/or corresponding author of the document.
Conclusion
The paper provides a systematic review of acupuncture for suicidal behavior and depression, analyzing the characteristics of the included studies and their findings.
The study selection process involved screening a large number of articles and selecting the most relevant ones for the review.
The review provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment option for individuals with suicidal behavior or depression.
