title: A pilot study of acupuncture augmentation therapy in antidepressant partial and non-responders with major depressive disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acupuncture is widely used for treating major depressive disorder (MDD). There is evidence supporting acupuncture as an antidepressant monotherapy, but its efficacy as augmentation in antidepressant partial and non-responders has not been well-investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty subjects (47% female, mean age 48±11 years) with a history of SCID-diagnosed MDD and partial or non-response after ≥8 weeks of antidepressant therapy were assigned 8 weeks of standardized 30-min open acupuncture augmentation sessions on a weekly (n=24) or twice-weekly (n=6) basis. Change in the Hamilton-D-17 score was the primary outcome measure, and response rates (based on HAM-D-17 score improvement of ≥50%) the secondary outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty subjects (40% female; 18 in weekly and 2 in twice-weekly treatment) completed the study. In the intent-to-treat (ITT) sample (N=30), HAM-D-17 scores decreased from 18.5±3.8 to 11.2±5.3 in the weekly group (p<0.001), and from 18.5±3.3 to 11.8±4.8 in the twice-weekly group (p=0.03). Improvement did not differ significantly between treatment arms (p=0.76). Response rates were 47% for all ITT subjects, 50% for the weekly group and 33% for the twice-weekly group (p=0.66). The most common side effects included soreness/pain (n=7), bruising (n=4), and mild bleeding (n=1) at the needle site. One subject discontinued because of side effects (pain).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open design, small sample, polypharmacy with antidepressants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Once or twice-weekly acupuncture augmentation was safe, well-tolerated and effective in antidepressant partial and non-responders, suggesting good feasibility in outpatient settings. Replication in controlled trials is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Albert S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Victoria E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Ameral
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Chuzi
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mischoulon
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013997:Time Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents