biostudies-literatureZhichao HHong Kong Baptist University10384https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8129113biostudies-literatureUnknown11(1)Acupuncture is an important alternative therapy in treating major depressive disorder (MDD), but its efficacy and safety are still not well assessed. This study is the first network meta-analysis exploring the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture, common pharmacological treatments or other non-medication therapies for MDD. Eight databases including PubMed, Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cochrane Library, Wan Fang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, and Chongqing VIP Database were searched up to Jan 17, 2021. Articles were screened and selected by two reviewers independently. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of the evidence. A total of 71 eligScientific reportsA network meta-analysis on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in treating patients with major depressive disorder.PMC8129113FRG II/16-17/094Linda ZLDLiang YHuijuan LZhiyu WZhichao HChing LWWeiyang HZhaoxiang BfalseA network meta-analysis on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in treating patients with major depressive disorder.Acupuncture is an important alternative therapy in treating major depressive disorder (MDD), but its efficacy and safety are still not well assessed. This study is the first network meta-analysis exploring the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture, common pharmacological treatments or other non-medication therapies for MDD. Eight databases including PubMed, Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cochrane Library, Wan Fang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, and Chongqing VIP Database were searched up to Jan 17, 2021. Articles were screened and selected by two reviewers independently. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of the evidence. A total of 71 elig2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 May2026-06-03T17:58:40.15Z2022-02-10T10:45:17.088ZS-EPMC81291133400192410.1038/s41598-021-88263-y