Implementation des NADA-Protokolls in der Psychosomatik

Implementation of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association Protocol in a Community Mental Health Setting

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients' satisfaction with National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) acupuncture services in two community mental health settings.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, mixed-methods study. Participants who had participated in acupuncture services were given a survey that contained both quantitative and qualitative items.

SETTINGS

Participants were recruited from two community mental health centers in the New England area.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty patients enrolled in community mental health centers. They were eligible to participate in the study if they had attended at least one acupuncture session. Twenty-five percent of the sample comprised monolingual Spanish-speakers.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants had received at least one session of auricular acupuncture according to the NADA protocol.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants completed a satisfaction survey that contained 10 items in English or Spanish.

RESULTS

On a 5-point Likert scale, participants reported that they found acupuncture beneficial (mean, 4.35; standard deviation, 0.78). Data from the qualitative items were analyzed and revealed two prominent themes: (1) relaxation and (2) improved focus and concentration. Eight percent of the sample reported no benefit of acupuncture during the session.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the patients reported high satisfaction with the acupuncture services received, as well as a variety of benefits (relaxation, improved focus and concentration, improvement in psychiatric symptoms or substance use craving, and somatic benefits).

[Implementation of auricular acupuncture by the NADA protocol in geriatric patients suffering from major depression : A mixed methods feasibility study]

BACKGROUND

The number of elderly patients with depression has steadily increased in recent years; therefore, new treatment options and therapy approaches are urgently needed to improve treatment in this patient group. The aim of this project was to evaluate the additional application of auricular acupuncture according to the NADA protocol in patients treated in a daytime ward in terms of acceptability and feasibility.

METHODS

A total of 20 psychogeriatric patients from a daytime clinic suffering from major depression (ICD-10: F32-F33) received auricular acupuncture in addition to the standard treatment three times per week over a treatment course of 3 weeks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and the therapeutic team and qualitative content analyses were carried out. Depression, cognition, quality of sleep and quality of life were assessed using validated quantitative instruments.

RESULTS

There was a 95 % utilization of the therapy. The qualitative analysis showed a high acceptance by all participants. The dominant perception by the patients was a positive expectation and conviction that acupuncture was an effective form of therapy without side effects, which could contribute to recovery. The majority of patients also felt that there was an improvement in the symptoms. The quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in the target parameters.

CONCLUSION

The acceptance of the intervention by the patients and the willingness of the interdisciplinary team underlines the feasibility of this implementation within a fixed therapeutic concept. The significant pre-post improvements indicated a potential benefit and should be verified in further efficacy studies.