A young man who has suffered depression for more than four years has improved to the point he no longer requires medication according to the lead researcher in an Australian-first clinical trial of the use of acupuncture to treat depression.
The man is one of 18 people who have demonstrated varying degrees of improvement in the trial, but so far men have been underrepresented in the ongoing study according to Master of Science student Kirk Wilson from the University of Technology, Sydney.
A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, Mr Wilson is seeking more men to take part in the study, being conducted under the principal supervision of Dr Peter Meier from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the UTS Faculty of Science.
"We would like 20 more men to take part in the trial, which is continuing until June," Mr Wilson said.
"To date the subjects making the greatest improvement have been men. One started the study with a level of depression rated as 'severe' and the conclusion of his involvement he scored a rating of 'minimal' and is no longer taking medication for his condition.
"The Beyond Blue Organisation estimates more than 800,000 Australians live with depression each year and one in five people will experience depression at some time in their life. The statistic for men alone is one in six.
"However Beyond Blue has also found that men are more at risk of their depression going unrecognised – they are more likely to focus on the physical symptoms of depression, such as being irritable and angry, rather than feeling low.
"The aim of this trial is to increase the understanding of how acupuncture can be used in combination with drug therapy to treat depression.
"It is hoped that this in turn may lead to a better understanding of how drug dependency and side effects can be reduced," Mr Wilson said.
In order to be eligible for the study, volunteers need to have been diagnosed as being depressed, as well as currently taking medication for their depression.
Those accepted into the trial will be given 12 free acupuncture sessions plus some reimbursement for traveling expenses. If you would like to join the study or if you have any queries phone Kirk Wilson on 1300 TO HEAL or 9231 3377.
The trial is being conducted out of Meridian Healing Centre Suite 6, Level 10, 428 George Street (The Dymocks Building), which is located in the centre of Sydney's CBD.
Further information: Kirk Wilson, 0434 235 682
Issued by: Terry Clinton, UTS Media Office, Ph (02) 9514 1623 or 0419 293 261