Clinical observation of electroacupuncture in treating depression

Purpose To observe the curative effect of electroacupuncture in treating depression.Method Two hundred and ten subjects were randomly divided into electroacupuncture group and medication group.Results and conclusion The results were evaluated by an international depression scale in both groups. After one-course treatment, the average score markedly decreased in both groups, and a t-test showed that there was a significant difference in curative effect between before and after treatment in each group (P<0.001); but there was no such a difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Electroacupuncture can be compared favorably with amitriptyline, an antidepressant. However, taking amitriptyline will produce some side effects. Therefore electroacupuncture is especially suitable for those who cannot take medicine. Author: ZHANG Hong (1967-), male, attending physician Translator: XIAO Yuan-chun