Outcomes
depression, ideation, depressive symptoms
ADVERSE EVENTS, ADVERSE EFFECTS, REMISSION
The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who showed improvement of 50% or more in depressive symptoms (ie, depression recovery) between the groups, as assessed by the PHQ-9 at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included the difference in the proportion of participants reaching depression recovery at 4 and 6 weeks; the proportion of participants who achieved a score of less than 5 on the PHQ-9 (indicating depression remission) and differences in depression scores at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months; the difference in the proportion of reported adverse events (ie, those arising from the AA technique) and reported adverse effects (ie, the worsening of depression symptoms or the onset of suicidal ideation); and the difference in the proportion of patient blinding to randomization and perception of treatment efficacy (eTable 3 in 