MT Combined With XKSA for Depressive Symptoms During COVID-19
Condition: Depression, Anxiety
MeSH terms: COVID-19; Depression
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Social isolation related mental health problems have raised many concerns during the COVID-19
      outbreaks. Mental health care for people in quarantined hotels is in urgent need, but
      concrete program is rarely reported. Morita therapy and acupressure have been identified as
      effective treatments for regulating mood and sleep. The study aimed to examine whether Morita
      therapy (MT) combined with Xingnao Kaiqiao self-administered acupressure (XKSA) could improve
      depressive, anxiety symptoms and sleep quality in isolated people with depressive symptoms.
    

Detailed description: 
      The study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Morita therapy (MT) combined with Xingnao
      Kaiqiao self-administered acupressure (XKSA) on ameliorating depressive, anxiety and insomnia
      symptoms in quarantined people with depressive symptoms by measuring changes in clinical
      ratings before and after all the treatments immediately. 59 participants will be randomized
      to receive self-administered acupressure combined with Morita therapy or Morita therapy
      monotherapy during the two weeks of clinical observation and quarantine in Shenzhen, China.
      Morita therapy (MT) comprised bed rest and light work. In the first week, the participants
      were instructed to stay in the room but not restrict themselves to the bed. In the second
      week, the therapist guided the participants to face or accept instead of deliberately
      eliminating negative emotions and somatic discomfort. Xingnao Kaiqiao self-administered
      acupressure (XKSA) protocol evolved based on the XK acupuncture techniques after consulting a
      Chinese medicine specialist. Other two traditional Chinese medicine experts reviewed and
      approved the protocol. The protocol comprised pressing nine acupoints including Baihui,
      Sishenchong, Shenmen, Neiguan, Hegu, Taichong, Jianjing, Shenshu, and Yuji. Changes in
      depressive symptoms from baseline to the end of the study will be measured by the Patient
      Health Questionnaire 9-item depression scale (PHQ-9). Changes in anxiety symptoms from
      baseline to the end of the study will be measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item
      (GAD-7). Changes in sleep quality from baseline to the end of the study will be measured by
      the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).
    

Intervention name(s): MT Combined With XKSA; MT
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Morita therapy (MT) comprised bed rest and light work. Xingnao Kaiqiao self-administered acupressure (XKSA) stimulates nine acupoints including Baihui, Sishenchong, Shenmen, Neiguan, Hegu, Taichong, Jianjing, Shenshu, and Yuji.; Morita therapy (MT) comprised bed rest and light work.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Randomized controlled clinical trial testing MT combined with XKSA versus MT alone.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Morita therapy; acupressure; quarantine; COVID-19; depression; anxiety