Research Progress on Non-Pharmacological Therapies of Traditional Medicine for Depression
Qing Zhou, Ningyi Zou, Yanan Zhao, Gerhard Litscher, Yuzhengheng Zhang, R. Wu, Guojian Gao, Shaoyuan Li
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine August 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/hm9.0000000000000168 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression |
| Key findings | Argues that traditional medicine non-pharmacological therapies, including acupoint stimulation, meditation, and yoga, are promising adjuncts for depression due to their safety and compliance, and that they work through mechanisms such as reducing neuroinflammation, modulating neurotransmitters, enhancing neuroplasticity, and regulating the gut-brain axis. |
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by persistent sadness, anhedonia, guilt, fatigue, and impaired concentration. Although pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy can be effective, their utility is limited by adverse effects and significant inter-individual variability. Non-pharmacological therapies from traditional medicine have emerged as promising adjuncts owing to their favorable safety profiles, minimal side effects, and high patient compliance. These therapies, including acupoint stimulation, meditation, and yoga, produce antidepressant effects by reducing neuroinflammation, modulating neurotransmitter release, enhancing neuroplasticity, and regulating the gut-brain axis. This review summarized clinical applications and mechanistic insights of traditional medicine’s non-pharmacological therapies for depression, providing a scientific rationale for their integration into comprehensive management. Graphical abstract: http://links.lww.com/AHM/A184
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synaptic Dysfunction in Depression: Potential Therapeutic Targets | 2012 | Review | |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse | 2003 | Review | |
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 16
- A mindfulness meditation mobile app improves depression and anxiety in adults with sleep disturbance: Analysis from a randomized controlled trial General Hospital Psychiatry September 11, 2021
- Using Meditation to Reduce Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Nursing Students. Journal of Nursing Education August 1, 2023
- The Effect of Moving Meditation Exercise on Depression and Sleep Quality of the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Study. Holistic Nursing Practice
- Meta-analysis of a mindfulness yoga exercise intervention on depression - based on intervention studies in China. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- Feasibility of a meditation intervention for stroke survivors and informal caregivers: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychology January 12, 2023
and 11 more in the library