Effects of acupuncture point PC6 on chronic and mild stress

Kim H et al. The effects of acupuncture stimulation at PC6 (Neiguan) on chronic mild stress-induced biochemical and behavioral responses.
Neuroscience Letters. 2009; 460: 56-60.

Conclusion
The effects of acupuncture on the behavioural responses induced by chronic mild stress (CMS) were evaluated in rats by using a maze and a sucrose intake test. C-fos expression in the brain was examined by immunohistochemistry. Acupuncture stimulation at point P6 (3 min) (but not at point SJ5) reversed stress-induced behavioural changes and significantly attenuated c-fos expression in the hypothalamus, suggesting that acupuncture has a therapeutic effect on chronic stress-related diseases such as depression and anxiety.

The effects of acupuncture on emotional stress in females with a speech disorder

Kwong EY, Yiu EM. A preliminary study of the effect of acupuncture on emotional stress in female dysphonic speakers.
J Voice. 2010; 24: 719-23.

A randomised placebo-controlled trial that investigated the effects of acupuncture (genuine vs. sham) on emotional stress in 18 people with phonotraumatic injuries. Cortisol levels were measured in samples of the participants’ saliva. Samples were collected from each subject at 10 minutes pre-needling, immediately pre-needling, mid-needling, immediately post-needling, and 10 minutes post-needling time points. The findings suggested that the subjects’ salivary cortisol concentrations did not reduce after acupuncture, and thus, acupuncture may not be able to reduce the emotional stress level in female dysphonic speakers.