Dense Cranial Electroacupuncture Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder—A Single-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study Acupuncture and Counselling for Depression in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial Duration of major depressive episodes in the general population: results from The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). Randomized non-invasive sham-controlled pilot trial of electroacupuncture for postpartum depression. Effects of electroacupuncture on depression and the production of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor compared with fluoxetine: a randomized controlled pilot study. The benefit from whole body acupuncture in major depression. Effects of electro-acupuncture on personality traits in depression: A randomized controlled study Clinical observation on treatment of depression by electro-acupuncture combined with Paroxetine The brain-resuscitation acupuncture method for treatment of post wind-stroke mental depression--a report of 45 cases. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Expectancy on Treatment Responses to Acupuncture Do certain countries produce only positive results? A systematic review of controlled trials. Using acupuncture to treat depression: a feasibility study. Effects of electroacupuncture and fluoxetine on the density of GTP-binding-proteins in platelet membrane in patients with major depressive disorder. Clinical research of acupuncture on malignant tumor patients for improving depression and sleep quality. Electroacupuncture for residual insomnia associated with major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. The relevance between symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging analysis of the hippocampus of depressed patients given electro-acupuncture combined with Fluoxetine intervention — A randomized, controlled trial The time course of nonchronic major depressive disorder. Uniformity across episodes and samples. National Institute of Mental Health Collaborative Program on the Psychobiology of Depression--Clinical Studies. Acupuncture for depression: a randomized controlled trial. Efficacy evaluation for depression with somatic symptoms treated by electroacupuncture combined with Fluoxetine.
Background Previous studies suggest that electroacupuncture possesses therapeutic benefits for depressive disorders . The purpose of this study was to determine whether dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation ( DCEAS ) could enhance the antidepressant efficacy in the early phase of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( SSRI ) treatment of major depressive disorder ( MDD ) . Methods In this single-blind , r and omized , controlled study , patients with MDD were r and omly assigned to 9-session DCEAS or noninvasive electroacupuncture ( n-EA ) control procedure in combination with fluoxetine ( FLX ) for 3 weeks . Clinical outcomes were measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAMD-17 ) , Clinical Global Impression-severity ( CGI-S ) , and Self-rating Depression Scale ( SDS ) as well as the response and remission rates . Results Seventy-three patients were r and omly assigned to n-EA ( n = 35 ) and DCEAS ( n = 38 ) , of whom 34 in n-EA and 36 in DCEAS group were analyzed . DCEAS-treated patients displayed a significantly greater reduction from baseline in HAMD-17 scores at Day 3 through Day 21 and in SDS scores at Day 3 and Day 21 compared to patients receiving n-EA . DCEAS intervention also produced a higher rate of clinical ly significant response compared to n-EA procedure ( 19.4 % ( 7/36 ) vs. 8.8 % ( 3/34 ) ) . The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups . Conclusions DCEAS is a safe and effective intervention that augments the antidepressant efficacy . It can be considered as an additional therapy in the early phase of SSRI treatment of depressed patients . Trial Registration Controlled-Trials.com IS RCT In a r and omized controlled trial , Hugh MacPherson and colleagues investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture and counseling compared with usual care alone for the treatment of  depression symptoms  in primary care setting s. Please see later in the article for the Editors ' BACKGROUND Data on the duration of major depressive episodes ( MDE ) in the general population are sparse . AIMS To assess the duration of MDE and its clinical and socio-demographic determinants in a study group drawn from the general population with newly originated episodes of major depression . METHOD The Netherl and s Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study is a prospect i ve epidemiological survey in the adult population ( n=7076 ) , using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview . Duration of MDE over 2 years was assessed with a Life Chart Interview . RESULTS The median duration of MDE was 3.0 months ; 50 % of participants recovered within 3 months , 63 % within 6 months , 76 % within 12 months and nearly 20 % had not recovered at 24 months . Determinants of persistence were severity of depression and comorbid dysthymia . A recurrent episode predicted shorter duration . CONCLUSIONS Although half of those affected with MDE recovered rapidly , the risk of chronicity ( duration 24 months or more ) was considerable . This underlines the necessity of diagnosing and treating those at risk BACKGROUND Postpartum depression affects 10 - 15 % of mothers . Although acupuncture was efficacious for major depressive disorder in pregnancy and in women outside the perinatal period , there has been no r and omized controlled study on the feasibility , tolerability , and efficacy of acupuncture for postpartum depression . METHODS This was a r and omized , subject- and assessor-blind , parallel-group , sham-controlled trial . Twenty women within six months postpartum with DSM-IV-diagnosed major depressive disorder of mild severity , defined as a 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS(17 ) ) score of 12 to 19 , were r and omly assigned to either electroacupuncture or non-invasive sham acupuncture two sessions weekly for four weeks . RESULTS There was significant reduction in HDRS(17 ) score from baseline to 4-week posttreatment in both groups , with an effect size 1.4 and 1.8 for electroacupuncture and sham acupuncture , respectively . Improvement was observed as early as two weeks after commencing acupuncture . The response and remission rate in the electroacupuncture group at 4-week posttreatment was 33 % and 44 % , respectively ; for the sham acupuncture group , it was 60 % and 50 % , respectively . There was no significant between-group difference in all outcome measures , including the HDRS(17 ) , Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale , Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale , Clinical Global Impression , and Sheehan Disability Scale . Treatment credibility , success of blinding , and adverse events were similar between groups . LIMITATION Small sample size and high attrition rate . No waiting list observation group . CONCLUSION Both electroacupuncture and non-invasive sham acupuncture were effective for postpartum depression . Further studies utilizing larger sample size , better recruitment strategies , and home-based acupuncture treatment are warranted . CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION Pilot Study on the Use of Acupuncture for Postpartum Depression ; Clinical Trials.gov Registration # NCT01178008 ; URL - http:// clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01178008?term=postpartum+acupuncture&rank=1 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Postmortem studies indicate that the number and density of glial cells are reduced in different brain regions of patients with depression . Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor ( GDNF ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depressive disorder ( DD ) and might be a biomarker for damage to nerve cells . In this study , we compared the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture ( EA ) and fluoxetine , a serotonin reuptake inhibitor , on DD patients , focusing on the serum level of GDNF . DESIGN This was a prospect i ve , r and omized clinical trial . SETTING Seventy-five patients with DD from the Department of Acupuncture , Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine , were recruited . INTERVENTION Twenty patients were treated with acupuncture for 6 weeks on the acupoints of Baihui ( DU20 ) and Zusanli ( ST36 ) . Sixteen patients were treated with acupuncture for 6 weeks on the acupoints of Taichong ( LR3 ) , Sanyinjiao ( SP6 ) , Neiguan ( PC6 ) , and Shenmen ( HT7 ) , and constituted the electroacupuncture control group . The patients received acupuncture treatment five times per week . Twenty-five patients were treated with oral fluoxetine ( 20 mg/day ) for 6 weeks . OUTCOME MEASURES All subjects were evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale at four time points ( 0 [ baseline ] , 2 , 4 , and 6 weeks after treatment ) . Serum GDNF was quantified in duplicate by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) . RESULTS EA and fluoxetine had similar curative effects on DD patients . EA had a faster onset of action , better response rate , and better improvement rate than fluoxetine . Both fluoxetine and EA treatment restored the normal concentration of GDNF in the serum of DD patients . CONCLUSION EA treatment for depression is as effective as a recommended dose of fluoxetine . However , EA demonstrates an advantage in the regulation of the production of GDNF compared with fluoxetine BACKGROUND In a single-blind placebo-controlled study design we investigated the efficacy of acupuncture additionally applied to drug treatment in major depression . METHODS We r and omly included 70 in patients with a major depressive episode in three different treatment groups : verum acupuncture , placebo acupuncture and a control group . All three groups were pharmacologically treated with the antidepressant mianserin . The verum group received acupuncture at specific points considered effective in the treatment of depression . The placebo group was treated with acupuncture at non-specific locations and the control group received pharmacological treatment plus clinical management . Acupuncture was applied three times a week over a period of 4 weeks . Psychopathology was rated by judges blind to verum/placebo conditions twice a week over 8 weeks . RESULTS Patients who experienced acupuncture  improved slightly more than patients treated with mianserin  alone . CONCLUSIONS Additionally applied acupuncture improved the course of depression more than pharmacological treatment with mianserin alone . However , we could not detect any differences between placebo and verum acupuncture Objective To explore the personality-adjusting effect of electro-acupuncture treatment for depression and compared this treatment with paroxetine treatment . Methods A non-blinded , r and omized controlled trial was adopted . Sixty depressed patients , who met trial criteria , were r and omly assigned to the treatment and the control groups . In the treatment group , electro-acupuncture treatment was used , and paroxetine treatment was used in the control group . During the 24-week study period , 12 patients dropped out and 48 patients completed the study . The Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory ( MMPI ) was adopted as the evaluation tool . At the same time , the Self-rating Depression Scale ( SDS ) , Self-rating Anxiety Scale ( SAS ) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS ) were used to evaluate the psychological state . Evaluations were done before and after treatment . Results After treatment , patients ’ psychological state improved significantly in both groups ( P<0.01 ) . For the treatment group , within-group comparison between baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment showed that severity of depression had significantly decreased ( P<0.01 ) . MADRS and SDS scores decreased significantly ( P<0.05 ) and MMPI subscale scores for hypochondriasis , depression , psychopathic deviate , psychasthenia , social introversion and fake decreased significantly ( P<0.05 ) . For the control group , severity of depression also decreased significantly . MADRS and SDS scores decreased significantly ( P<0.05 ) ; and MMPI subscale scores for hypochondriasis , depression , hysteria , paranoia , and psychasthenia decreased significantly ( P<0.05 ) . Between-group comparison demonstrated that for the MMPI subscales paranoia and social introversion , the decrease of score was greater in the treatment group than in the control group ( P<0.05 ) . However , there were no other significant differences between the control group and the treatment group . Conclusion Electro-acupuncture is effective for treating depression and affects personality traits Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of Paroxetine combined with electro-acupuncture ( EA ) in treating depression . Methods Forty-two patients with depression were r and omly assigned to the observation group ( 22 patients ) treated with EA combined with Paroxetine , and the control group ( 20 patients ) treated with Paroxetine alone , and the therapeutic course for both groups was 6 weeks . The therapeutic efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated with scores by Hamilton depression scale ( HAMD ) and treatment emergent symptoms scale ( TESS ) , respectively . Results HAMD scores determined at the end of the 1st , 2nd , 4th , and 6th week of the treatment course were significantly lower in the observation group than those in the control group ( P<0.05 ) . The significant improvement rate evaluated at the end of the 6-week treatment was remarkably higher in the observation group than that in the control group ( 72.7 % vs 40.0 % ) . No significant difference of TESS scores was found between the two groups . Conclusion EA combined with Paroxetine has better clinical efficacy than that of Paroxetine alone , with milder adverse reaction and quicker initiation of effect In order to observe the therapeutic effects of the brain-resuscitation acupuncture method for post wind-stroke mental depression , 90 such cases were r and omly divided into two groups , each consisting of 45 cases . For the treatment group , the brain-resuscitation acupuncture method was adopted , with Neiguan ( PC 6 ) , Renzhong ( GV 26 ) , Sanyinjiao ( SP 6 ) , Baihui ( GV 20 ) , and Shenmen ( HT 7 ) selected as the main points . For the control group , oral medication of Fluoxetine was prescribed . Therapeutic effects and changes in the HAMD integrals of the two groups were observed . The total effective rate in the treatment group was 77.7 % , and that in the control group was 75.1 % , showing no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05 ) . The average effect starting time of the treatment group was 11.58 + /- 4.89 days , while that of the control group was 15.96 + /- 6.50 days , showing a significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05 ) . It can be concluded that for the post wind-stroke mental depression , the brain-resuscitation acupuncture method may show a good and quicker therapeutic effect with no side effects as compared with pharmacotherapy R and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) of acupuncture often find equivalent responses to real and placebo acupuncture despite both appearing superior to no treatment . This raises questions regarding the mechanisms of acupuncture , especially the contribution of patient expectancies . We systematic ally review ed previous research assessing the relationship between expectancy and treatment responses following acupuncture , whether real or placebo . To be included , studies needed to assess and /or manipulate expectancies about acupuncture and relate these to at least one health-relevant outcome . Nine such independent studies were identified through systematic search es of Medline , PsycInfo , PubMed , and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register . The methodology and reporting of these studies were quite heterogeneous , meaning that meta- analysis was not possible . A descriptive review revealed that five studies found statistically significant effects of expectancy on a least one outcome , with three also finding evidence suggestive of an interaction between expectancy and type of acupuncture ( real or placebo ) . While there were some trends in significant effects in terms of study characteristics , their generality is limited by the heterogeneity of study design s. The differences in design across studies highlight some important method ological considerations for future research in this area , particularly regarding whether to assess or manipulate expectancies and how best to assess expectancies OBJECTIVE To determine whether clinical trials originating in certain countries always have positive results . DATA SOURCES Abstract s of trials from Medline ( January 1966-June 1995 ) . STUDY SELECTION Two separate studies were conducted . The first included trials in which the clinical outcome of a group of subjects receiving acupuncture  was compared to that of a group receiving placebo , no treatment , or a nonacupuncture intervention . In the second study , r and omized or controlled trials of interventions other than  acupuncture  that were published in China , Japan , Russia/USSR , or Taiwan were compared to those published in Engl and . DATA EXTRACTION Blinded review ers determined inclusion and outcome and separately classified each trial by country of origin . DATA SYNTHESIS In the study of acupuncture  trials , 252 of 1085 abstract s met the inclusion criteria . Research conducted in certain countries was uniformly favorable to acupuncture ; all trials originating in China , Japan , Hong Kong , and Taiwan were positive , as were 10 out of 11 of those published in Russia/USSR . In studies that examined interventions other than acupuncture , 405 of 1100 abstract s met the inclusion criteria . Of trials published in Engl and , 75 % gave the test treatment as superior to control . The results for China , Japan , Russia/USSR , and Taiwan were 99 % , 89 % , 97 % , and 95 % , respectively . No trial published in China or Russia/USSR found a test treatment to be ineffective . CONCLUSIONS Some countries publish unusually high proportions of positive results . Publication bias is a possible explanation . Research ers undertaking systematic review s should consider carefully how to manage data from these countries OBJECTIVES To establish the feasibility of conducting a r and omised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression . Control group intervention , blinding of treatment , outcome measures and the acceptability of such a trial amongst participants were key factors to be addressed . The findings from this study will be used to determine the design of a phase III r and omised controlled trial . DESIGN Nineteen participants were recruited through general practice s in London , UK . Participants were r and omly assigned on a 2:1 basis to either 12 sessions of verum acupuncture or 12 sessions of sham acupuncture ( control ) . Sham acupuncture involved actual needling but at sites considered to be unrelated to depression . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Beck 's Depression Inventory ( BDI ) and the R AND 36 Item Health Survey 1.0 ( R AND ) were completed at baseline and at the end of treatment or at treatment dropout . All participants also attended a brief qualitative interview at the end of the study . RESULTS Treatment dropout was low and there were high levels of patient enthusiasm for a study of acupuncture . Referrals from General Practitioners ( GPs ) were lower than expected . The sham control method successfully maintained participant blinding to treatment and enabled the specific ( or active ) component of an acupuncture intervention to be isolated and its efficacy assessed . The outcome measures were sensitive enough to record changes in depressive symptoms and quality of life and are appropriate for use in a larger trial . CONCLUSIONS This feasibility study has provided important information that can be used to guide the design and methodology of a full-r and omised controlled trial BACKGROUND Electroacupuncture ( EA ) has been used to treat Major Depressive Disorder ( MDD ) . However , its efficacy is inconclusive and the mechanism is still unclear . Thus , the objective of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of EA on GTP-binding-protein ( G protein ) in platelet membrane using fluoxetine as a comparison . METHODS A r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) was performed on 90 MDD patients , who were divided into three groups treated with fluoxetine , EA and sham EA respectively . Antibodies were utilized to quantify the levels of G protein alpha subtypes in the platelet membrane before and after 6-week anti-depressive treatment .  Thirty age and sex-matched normal individuals were used as controls . RESULT All the treatments had the same therapeutic effects in treating moderate depression . Both levels of Galphai and Galphaq in depression patients were significantly higher than those in controls and were not reduced by treatments , although the severity was considerably relieved . LIMITATIONS The duration of treatment was limited to six weeks only . CONCLUSION EA might be served as an alternative treatment for moderate depression and we further demonstrate that the abnormal levels of Galpha protein in platelet membrane might be a potential risk factor for MDD OBJECTIVE To study the effect of acupuncture on  depression and insomnia of malignant tumor patients . METHODS Eighty cases of cancer related depression and sleep disorders were r and omly divided into 2 groups : treatment 1 group ( acupuncture n = 40 ) and control group ( Fluoxetione n = 40 ) . All patients were assessed by Self-rating Depression Scale ( SDS ) , Hemilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAMD ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( PSQI ) after treatment for 30 days . RESULTS Before treatment the SDS and HAMD scores of the trial group were 64.12 + /- 5.34 and 20.92 + /- 2.38 , those of the control group were 64.24 + /- 4.98 and 20.72 + /- 2.74 , after treatment the SDS and HAMD scores of the trial group were 43.64 + /- 5.28 and 9.88 + /- 1.27 respectively , significantly lower than those of the control group ( 50.76 + /- 5.42 and 13.72 + /- 2.05 respectively , both P < 0.05 ) . Before treatment the PSQI score of the trial group and the control group were 14.48 + /- 1.71 and 13.92 + /- 2.59 , after treatment the PSQI score of the trial group was 7.92 + /- 1.22 after treatment , significantly lower than those of the control group ( 11.44 + /- 1.89 , P < 0.01 ) . CONCLUSION Acupuncture can effectively reduce  malignant-related depression , improve sleep quality , and help to improve the quality of life of cancer patients STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture as an additional treatment for residual insomnia associated with major depressive disorder ( MDD ) . DESIGN R and omized , placebo-controlled . SETTING A psychiatric outpatient clinic . PARTICIPANTS 78 Chinese patients with DSM-IV-diagnosed MDD , insomnia complaint , a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HDRS(17 ) ) score ≤ 18 , and fixed antidepressant dosage . INTERVENTION Electroacupuncture , minimal acupuncture ( superficial needling at non-acupuncture points ) , or noninvasive placebo acupuncture 3 sessions weekly for 3 weeks . MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Insomnia Severity Index ( ISI ) , Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( PSQI ) , HDRS(17 ) , 1 week sleep diaries , and 3 day actigraphy were administered at baseline , 1 week post-treatment , and 4 week post-treatment . There was significant group by time interaction in ISI , PSQI , and sleep diary-derived sleep efficiency ( mixed-effects models , P = 0.04 , P = 0.03 , and P = 0.01 , respectively ) . Post hoc pairwise comparisons revealed that electroacupuncture and minimal acupuncture were more efficacious than placebo acupuncture  in ISI and PSQI at 1 week and 4 week post-treatment . Minimal acupuncture result ed in greater improvement in sleep diary-derived sleep efficiency  than placebo acupuncture at 1 week post-treatment . There was no significant between-group difference in actigraphy measures , depressive symptoms , daily functioning , and hypnotic consumption , and no difference in any measures between electroacupuncture and minimal acupuncture . CONCLUSION Compared with placebo acupuncture , electroacupuncture and minimal acupuncture result ed in greater improvement in subjective sleep measures at 1 week and 4 week post-treatment . No significant difference was found between electroacupuncture and minimal acupuncture , suggesting that the observed differences could be due to nonspecific effects of needling , regardless of whether it is done according to traditional Chinese medicine theory Objective To probe the relevance between depressive symptoms and hippocampal volume and its metabolites detected by magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) in depressed patients who were given electro-acupuncture ( EA ) combined with Fluoxetine  before and after treatment . Methods A r and omized , controlled trial was conducted . A total of 75 cases of mild or moderate depression were r and omly assigned to two groups : the EA group which received EA combined with Fluoxetine ; the Fluoxetine group which received Fluoxetine only as the control . The 17-item Hamilton Scale for Depression ( HAMD ) was used to assess the depression level . The relevance between the changes of the hippocampal volume and its metabolites , including N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine ( Cr ) and choline containing compounds (Cho)/Cr , and the reduction rate of the HAMD score before and after treatment of the two groups were analyzed . Results At the end of the treatment , the therapeutic response rates were not statistically different between the two groups ( 73.53 % for the Fluoxetine group and 83.33 % for the EA group , respectively ) . Compared to that of the Fluoxetine group , a significant difference was shown in the EA group in the reduction rate of the HAMD scores ( P<0.05 ) . There was a negative correlation between the therapeutic effect and the HAMD scores before treatment in both groups of patients . There was no significant difference in the hippocampal volume before and after treatment . The NAA/Cr ratio of both groups increased after treatment , with the EA group increasing more . There was a negative correlation between the rate of change of the NAA/Cr after treatment and the HAMD scores before treatment in the two groups . In the Fluoxetine group , the Cho/Cr ratio showed no significant difference before and after treatment , which had no relevance with the HAMD scores before treatment either . Meanwhile , in the EA group , the Cho/Cr ratio showed a significant difference before and after treatment , which also had a positive relevance with the HAMD scores before treatment . Conclusions There was a significant improvement in the hippocampal metabolites in depressed patients who treated by EA combined with Fluoxetine . Those differences showed relevance with the HAMD scores before treatment BACKGROUND Most natural history studies of affective disorders have emphasized the prediction of eventual recovery . Little is known of changes over time in the immediate probability of recovery . METHODS To identify regularities in the timing of recovery from nonbipolar major depressive disorders , we considered only episodes that began during follow-up to increase the accuracy with which onsets were timed and to limit the study sample to individuals who had a demonstrably episodic course . Five participating centers conducted baseline assessment s and followed prob and s ( N = 605 ) and non clinical subjects ( relatives , controls , and spouses , N = 826 ) up for 6 years . During that time , 359 prob and s had at least one prospect ively observed episode , and 181 had two episodes ; corresponding numbers for the non clinical subjects were 216 and 78 , respectively . Our analyses considered the distribution of episode lengths across ascertainment source ( prob and s vs non clinical subjects ) , center , and episode number ( first vs second prospect ively observed episode ) . RESULTS Distribution was remarkably uniform . Regardless of ascertainment source , center , or episode number , recovery occurred within 3 months in 40 % of episodes , within 6 months in 60 % , and within 1 year in 80 % ; 20 % had more protracted courses . CONCLUSIONS Once triggered , the immediate likelihood of recovery changes over time in a predictable fashion . This has practical implication s for the study of antidepressant efficacy and theoretical implication s for factors involved in affective dysregulation OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of acupuncture as an intervention for major depressive disorder ( MDD ) . METHOD Acupuncture was examined in 151 patients with MDD ( DSM-IV ) who were r and omly assigned to 1 of 3 groups in a double-blind r and omized controlled trial . The specific intervention involved Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-style acupuncture with manual stimulation for depression ; the control conditions consisted of ( 1 ) a nonspecific intervention using a comparable number of legitimate acupuncture points not specifically targeted to depressive symptoms and ( 2 ) a waitlist condition , which involved waiting without intervention for 8 weeks . After 8 weeks , all patients received the depression-specific acupuncture . Each 8-week intervention regimen consisted of 12 acupuncture sessions delivered in an acupuncturist 's office in the community . The primary outcome measure was the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression . The study was conducted from February 1998 to April 2002 . RESULTS Twenty patients terminated treatment before the completion of the 8-week intervention ( 13 % ) but not differentially by study group . R and om regression models of the intent-to-treat sample revealed that although patients receiving acupuncture improved more than those awaiting intervention , no evidence of differential efficacy of the depression-specific over nonspecific intervention was found . Response rates in acupuncture-treated patients were relatively low after 8 weeks ( 22 % and 39 % for specific and nonspecific intervention groups , respectively ) , with the response rate after the entire 16-week trial reaching 50 % . CONCLUSION Although TCM manual acupuncture is a well-tolerated intervention , results fail to support its efficacy as a monotherapy for MDD . It ca n't be ruled out that factors unique to the implementation of acupuncture in this research study may have limited the efficacy of interventions compared to those provided in naturalistic setting s. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION Clinical Trials.gov identifier NCT00010517 OBJECTIVE This study is to investigate the clinical therapeutic effects and safety of treating mild or moderate depression with somatic symptoms with electroacupuncture combined with Fluoxetine . METHODS 95 cases of mild or moderate depression with somatic symptoms were r and omly divided into a Fluoxetine group , and an electroacupuncture plus Fluoxetine group . Hamilton Depression Scale ( HAMD ) was used for the assessment of clinical therapeutic effects and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale ( TESS ) was used for assessment of adverse reactions . RESULTS The total effective rate was 77.27 % in the Fluoxetine group and 78.26 % in the electroacupuncture plus Fluoxetine group , showing no statistically significant difference between these two groups ( P > 0.05 ) . However , the treatment took effect after two weeks in the electroacupuncture plus Fluoxetine group but after four weeks in Fluoxetine group . During this time , a better therapeutic effect on depression with mild or moderate somatic symptoms was found in the electroacupuncture plus Fluoxetine group , which also had fewer adverse reactions than the Fluoxetine group . CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture combined with Fluoxetine takes effect faster for relieving the somatic symptoms with fewer adverse reactions . It is worth popularizing clinical ly
Major depressive disorder ( MDD ) is a prevalent condition associated with significant burden in terms of reduced quality of life , lower productivity , increased prevalence of other conditions and increased health care costs .