Research Progress in the Treatment of Depression by Acupuncture and Moxibustion Based on the Five Viscera and Its Mechanism

Severe depression is the most common mental disorder, with a heavy economic burden and limited treatment. The lifetime prevalence of depression among adults in China is 6.8%, with depression accounting for 3.4%. Currently, there are 95 million people suffering from depression in China, with approximately 280,000 people committing suicide each year, of whom 40% suffer from depression. Oral antidepressants are commonly used treatment methods in modern medicine, but they have significant drawbacks. Acupuncture therapy has shown promising physiological and pharmacological research evidence and good clinical efficacy, with small side effects, lasting efficacy, and low cost in depression. Depression is classified as a “depression syndrome” in traditional Chinese medicine, and its disease progress is closely related to the damage of the five zang organs: heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been proven to be effective in treating depression by intervening in the points related to the five viscera. This article summarizes the research progress of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of depression from the perspective of the five viscera.