Electroacupuncture in treating depression: A randomized controlled study

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating depression. Methods: By a randomized controlled study method, sixty patients with depression were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 in each. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture, and the medication group was orally administrated Paroxetine tablets. They were evaluated by using Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) before and after treatments and the safety was also assessed. Results: The total effective rate was 83. 3% in the electroacupuncture group versus 60. 0% in the medication group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 05). The electroacupuncture group was superior to the medication group in comparing the improvement of HAMD scores after treatment (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture is an effective approach in treating depression. © 2013 Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.