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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) as well as the response and remission rates.Results
Seventy-three patients were randomly 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 clinically 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 ISRCTN88008690.
SUBMITTER: Zhang ZJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3253099 | biostudies-literature | 2012
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Zhang Zhang-Jin ZJ Ng Roger R Man Sui Cheung SC Li Tsui Yin Jade TY Wong Wendy W Tan Qing-Rong QR Wong Hei Kiu HK Chung Ka-Fai KF Wong Man-Tak MT Tsang Wai-Kiu Alfert WK Yip Ka-chee KC Ziea Eric E Wong Vivian Taam VT
PloS one 20120106 1
<h4>Background</h4>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).<h4>Methods</h4>In this single-blind, randomized, controlled study, patients with MDD were randomly assigned to 9-se ...[more]