Anxiety

Clinical Application:
A study treated 32 cases of psychoneurosis with this formula, and compared the effect of using this formula alone with that of combining this formula with Western medication in treating this condition. The results: this formula was found to significantly ameliorate the patients' restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, susceptibility to fatigue, and feelings of insecurity, with a total effective rate of 81.3%; using the formula alone was found to be superior to combining this formula and Western medication in treating anxiety.(1)

Qigong Treatment
Nie systematically studied the effects of practicing qigong on the lung capacity, sleep and mood conditions of 32 senior citizens, and reported that qigong exercise could improve older people's lung function, keep them in a good mood, and effectively prevent senile anxiety and depression.(10)

Shan, et al. treated 8 cases of anxiety neurosis with relaxation exercise, and reported satisfactory results.(11)

Tang, et al. surveyed 120 senior citizens who had been practicing qigong for more than two years and 90 other senior citizens who had never practiced qigong, asking them to self-rate their depression, anxiety, and sleep status. The results showed that practicing qigong was conducive to relieving older people of depression and anxiety symptoms, and to improving the quality of their sleep.(12)

Huang, et al. treated 36 cases of anxiety neurosis with electropuncture. All patients received treatment at the following acupoints: Shen Men (H 7), San Yin Jiao (Sp 6), Bai Hui (Du 20), Zu San Li (S 36), and Da Zhui (D 14). In addition, patients with heart and spleen deficiencies were also treated at Xin Shu (UB 15) and Pi Shu (UB 20); patients suffering from incoordination of heart and kidney functions were also treated at Xin Shu, Shen Shu, and Tai Xi (K 3); patients with deficiencies of the heart and gallbladder-qi were also treated at Xin Shu and Dan Shu (UB 19); and patients with hyperactive liver-yang were also treated at Gan Shu (UB 18) and Tai Xi. A comparison group was treated with She Le An Ding. The results: after 1 month of treatment, the treatment group scored 53.56 ( 11.32 on the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS)), which was significantly different from the result of the comparison group (P<0.01). Furthermore, a follow-up conducted three months after the study found that the comparison group had a 15% drug-dependent rate, while the treatment group had formed no such dependence.(14)

Liu, et al. combined acupuncture and systematic desensitization therapy to treat 80 cases of anxiety neurosis, and reported a 53% full recovery rate. The result was significantly different from that of treating the patients with either acupuncture and systematic desensitization therapy alone (P<0.01).(15)

Cui, et al. relied principally on acupuncture to treat 30 cases of anxiety neurosis. All patients received treatment at acupoints Shui Gou (Du26), Jian Shi (P5), and Si Shen Cong (Extra 6); additional points were treated as needed on a case-by-case basis. The universal reinforcing-reducing method was used in maneuvering the needles. While the needles were being retained (for 30 minutes), the patients were administered the oxygen therapy. The treatment was administered once a day, five days a week, and one unit of treatment lasted four weeks. The results: 8 cases significantly improved, 19 cases improved, and 3 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 90%.(16)