Key Finding
Abdominal acupuncture combined with transcranial direct current stimulation achieved 91.1% effectiveness in treating post-stroke depression compared to 73.3% with tDCS alone, with improvements correlated to normalized brain-gut peptide levels and autophagy-related protein expression.
Researchers in China studied whether combining abdominal acupuncture with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a type of brain stimulation therapy, could help stroke survivors experiencing depression. The study involved 90 patients with post-stroke depression who were divided into two groups. One group received tDCS alone, while the other received both tDCS and abdominal acupuncture at specific points including Zhongwan (CV12), Xiawan (CV10), and Guanyuan (CV4). Both groups received treatment five times per week for four weeks.
The results showed significant improvements in the combined treatment group. Patients receiving abdominal acupuncture plus tDCS had greater reductions in depression symptoms, better sleep quality, improved daily functioning, and fewer stroke-related neurological symptoms compared to those receiving tDCS alone. The combination therapy was 91% effective compared to 73% for tDCS alone. The researchers measured various brain-gut peptides and autophagy-related proteins in the blood, finding that the combination treatment helped normalize these biological markers more effectively.
This study suggests that adding abdominal acupuncture to standard post-stroke depression treatment may provide additional benefits. The research is based on the brain-gut axis theory, which recognizes the connection between digestive system health and brain function. For stroke survivors struggling with depression, this combined approach may offer a promising complementary treatment option that addresses both neurological and emotional recovery. If you're considering acupuncture for post-stroke depression, consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in treating neurological conditions and work closely with your medical team.
This randomized controlled trial using propensity score matching evaluated abdominal acupuncture combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for post-stroke depression (PSD). Following 1:1 PSM, 45 patients per group received treatment 5 times weekly for 4 weeks. The observation group received abdominal acupuncture at CV12, CV10, CV4, and other points plus tDCS, while controls received tDCS only. The combination therapy demonstrated superior outcomes: 91.1% total effectiveness versus 73.3% in controls (P<0.05). Significant improvements were observed in HAMD, NIHSS, ADL, PSQI, and TCM syndrome scores. Serum analysis revealed favorable modulation of brain-gut peptides (increased 5-HT, GAS, NPY; decreased SP, CGRP) and autophagy-related proteins (decreased LC3-II, Beclin1; increased p62). Linear regression confirmed significant correlations between brain-gut peptides, clinical outcomes, and autophagy markers. The findings support brain-gut axis mechanisms in PSD treatment, suggesting abdominal acupuncture enhances neurological and psychological recovery through regulation of gut-brain signaling and cellular autophagy pathways.
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