Dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation for major depressive disorder--a single-blind, randomized, controlled study.

ABSTRACT:

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, randomized, controlled study, patients with MDD were randomly 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) a

SUBMITTER: Zhang ZJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3253099 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature