Efficacy of the Electroacupuncture with"Regulating the Governor Vessel to Relieve Depression"Method in Treating Mild to Moderate Depression:A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)in the treatment of mild to moderate depression with the method of"Regulating the Governor Vessel to Relieve Depression".Methods In a randomized,single-blind,parallel-controlled design,64 patients with depression were enrolled and assigned to the EA group and the control group in a 1∶1 ratio.In the EA group,Baihui,Shenting,Yintang,Neiguan,Sanyinjiao,Hegu and Taichong were selected,electrodes were connected to Baihui and Yintang,continuous wave and frequency of 2 Hz were applied,and each session was given for 30 min,3 times a week for 8 weeks.The control group used Streitberger needles which couldn't be inserted into the skin,and the acupoints and treatment course were the same as the EA group.The primary outcome was the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-17);secondary outcomes included the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9),the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the 36-item Short-form Health Survey(SF-36).Patients were assessed before treatment,at weeks 4 and 8 after treatment,and at the follow-up visit at week 12.Results 31 cases in the EA group finished the trial and 30 in the control group,with an overall dropout rate of 4.7％.Using the intention-to-treat analysis,patients'HAMD-17 scores in the EA group were lower than those in the control group at weeks 4,8 and 12 of treatment(P＜0.01).HAMD-17 scores decreased over time in both groups,but the EA's downward trend was more pronounced.At week 8,compared with the control group,the PHQ-9 and SAS scores were lower in the EA group(P＜0.01),the EA group scored higher on all 3 dimensions of SF-36,energy,social functioning and mental health(P＜0.01).Conclusion Compared with sham acupuncture,the EA treatment was more effective in improving depression,relieving anxiety and improving the quality of life of patients with mild to moderate depression.
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