News Release, 23 November 2001
A new report from the Mental Health Foundation shows that Cherie Booth is not the only one to find auricular (ear) acupuncture beneficial. An Investigation into Auricular Acupuncture examines the impact of this therapy on women with mental health problems, and concludes that more should be done to make auricular acupuncture more widely available at a low cost.
Women reported feeling more relaxed and calm, having improved sleep, more energy and greater confidence, and these benefits increased if the treatment was repeated regularly over a number of weeks. Two women even came off anti-depressants during the research, one after six years of taking them. Comments included: "I'd recommend it to anybody, it's the only thing that's ever worked for me" and "I feel like I'm living a better quality of life now; I'm more creative, more skillful, just because I feel good".
Eight women volunteers with long term mental health problems, including eating disorders, depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, took part in the research. They received weekly auricular acupuncture treatments over a period of up to six months and were asked to comment at monthly intervals on any changes they had noticed in a wide range of factors, including energy, confidence, anxiety and ability to enjoy life.
The auricular acupuncture investigation was one of six small-scale research projects led by mental health service-users and survivors, who were supported by the Mental Health Foundation. The projects all looked into alternative ways of coping with mental distress, such as the importance for Muslim men of attending mosque and the benefits of being part of campaigning and support groups. One project examined the impact of both giving and receiving massage - another complementary therapy which was found to be beneficial to mental well-being.
Vicky Nicholls, the Foundation's Strategies for Living project co-ordinator, said: "This research highlights the value of creative approaches in mental and emotional health. At the moment people are most likely to be offered medication, hospitalisation and, sometimes, talking therapies, but there is no one solution that works for everyone, and we need to see more therapies and services made available, so that people have a real choice."
It was not only the recipients of the therapies and services who benefited; the researchers themselves reported changes too. They found that doing the research was a liberating and empowering experience, which increased their self-confidence.
User-led research is a growing area in mental health and the Foundation recommends that it should be recognised as a valid source of evidence in the development and assessment of mental health services.
Reports in this series:
Doing Research Ourselves. Book, January 2001. (gives an overview of the six user-led research projects supported by the Mental Health Foundation and the process by which that support was given) Price: £10 (£7 for mental health service users and survivors).
- An Investigation into Auricular Acupuncture
- An Investigation into Massage
- An Investigation into Drop-Ins (exploring the impact of peer support on mental health)
- Research Project into User Groups and Empowerment (exploring the effect of attending mental health service user group meetings)
- A User-Led Research Project into Mosque (exploring the benefits of mosque attendance for Muslim men with severe mental health problems)
- Alternatives to mainstream mental health provision
Return to news releases 2001
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
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