Efficacy of electroacupuncture for cervical spondylosis-related pain in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.

BACKGROUND

Cervical spondylosis (CS) frequently co-occurs with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), presenting a complex clinical challenge. Managing CS-related pain in patients with GAD is particularly challenging because of the bidirectional relationship between pain and anxiety, necessitating integrated treatment strategies.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating CS-related pain and anxiety in patients with GAD.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 83 patients with CS-related pain and GAD who received EA treatment over 2-year period. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale, and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Additionally, neuroinflammatory markers, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, were examined. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

EA treatment significantly reduced CS-related pain (mean visual analog scale reduction: 3.24 ± 1.18; P < 0.001) and improved anxiety symptoms (mean Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale reduction: 7.83 ± 2.65; P < 0.001) after 8 weeks of treatment. Neuroinflammatory markers also showed significant reductions, with interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels decreasing by 32.7% and 28.5%, respectively (P < 0.01). Pain reduction was significantly correlated with improvements in anxiety symptoms (r = 0.68; P < 0.001) and a decrease in inflammatory markers (r = 0.54; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

EA demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing CS-related pain in patients with comorbid GAD, along with concurrent improvements in anxiety symptoms and neuroinflammatory profiles. These findings suggest that EA may offer a valuable integrative approach for managing this complex clinical presentation, potentially addressing both pain and anxiety through the modulation of neuroinflammatory pathways.