Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It has been found depression is a risk factor for this debilitating condition. Acupuncture already has been shown to offer a range of benefits for individuals with Parkinson's disease, including improved motor function, reduced tremors, and improved quality of life. But in this case, what we are trying to see is if acupuncture can help depressed patients prevent Parkinson's
A study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience showed that there may be some benefit. The Taiwanese scientists took the records patients with depression who were receiving acupuncture and found that:
The present study results indicated that the incidence of PD was lower among patients with depression who received acupuncture treatment than among those patients with depression who did not, suggesting that acupuncture reduces the development of PD. This effect of acupuncture is mediated through multiple pathways, including the modulation of dopamine, ANS, immune system, and neurotransmitters. However, more objective evidence from clinical trials including laboratory data and brain images is required.
In other words, if a person with depression is getting acupuncture treatment, their risk of getting Parkinson's Disease is reduced. To quote:
The results of the present study indicated that the incidence of PD was 61% lower among patients having depression with acupuncture treatment than among those without acupuncture treatment, suggesting acupuncture treatment decreases the risk of PD in patients with depression.
If you are interested in trying acupuncture for depression, please contact a qualified practitioner near you.
Huang CH, Lin MC, Hsieh CL. Acupuncture Treatment Reduces Incidence of Parkinson's Disease in Patients With Depression: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020 Dec 4;12:591640. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.591640. PMID: 33343332; PMCID: PMC7746549.