The benefit from whole body acupuncture in major depression.
BACKGROUND
In a single-blind placebo-controlled study design we investigated the efficacy of acupuncture additionally applied to drug treatment in major depression.


METHODS
We randomly included 70 inpatients with a major depressive episode in three different treatment groups: verum acupuncture, placebo acupuncture and a control group. All three groups were pharmacologically treated with the antidepressant mianserin. The verum group received acupuncture at specific points considered effective in the treatment of depression. The placebo group was treated with acupuncture at non-specific locations and the control group received pharmacological treatment plus clinical management. Acupuncture was applied three times a week over a period of 4 weeks. Psychopathology was rated by judges blind to verum/placebo conditions twice a week over 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Patients who experienced acupuncture improved slightly more than patients treated with mianserin alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Additionally applied acupuncture improved the course of depression more than pharmacological treatment with mianserin alone. However, we could not detect any differences between placebo and verum acupuncture.
Röschke
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55101, Mainz, Germany. roeschke@goofy.zdv.uni-mainz.de
Wolf
C
C
Müller
M J
MJ
Wagner
P
P
Mann
K
K
Grözinger
M
M
Bech
S
S
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008803:Mianserin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D008803:Mianserin; D003975:Diazepam