Electro-acupuncture treatment in psychiatry.

In the course of treatment by Dr. H.L. Wen's technique of acupuncture for the withdrawal symptoms of various drugs, it was noted that there was a relief of neurotic symptoms, tension, restlessness and depression. Therefore, this treatment was used on neurotic patients. Forty patients ranging in age from 22 to 61 years were treated. Case reports are given on four patients. The degree of relief from neurotic symptoms was most marked in symptoms of restlessness, tension, mental and physical fatigue, loss of appetite and irritability, in that order. Obsessional symptoms showed a poor response. It is concluded that electro-acupuncture is useful in the treatment of neurotic symptoms, that it is cheaper and safer than other methods of treatment in use at this time, and that it is a useful adjunct in the treatment of psychoneurosis.