Comparative clinical study on the treatment of schizophrenia with electroacupuncture and reduced doses of antipsychotic drugs

This study investigated the possibility of reducing the dose of antipsychotic drugs (and thus reducing the possibility for developing toxicity) in schizophrenic patients by the addition of electroacupuncture to their treatment regimen. Forty schizophrenic subjects were divided into two therapeutic groups. Group A (n=25) was treated with reduced doses of antipsychotic drugs combined with electroacupuncture. In addition to main treatment points, supplemental points were selected according to TCM syndrome typology. Group B (n=15) subjects received only antipsychotic drugs. Subjects were evaluated according to clinical criteria and psychiatric rating scales. Additionally, laboratory values of cyclic nucleotides and beta-endorphins in both groups were compared to each other and to values in normal controls (n=21). Results showed no statistical difference in effectiveness between the two groups; side effects were significantly lower in Group A (P<0.01); and results in subjects classified with Persistent Phlegm were the greatest.