OBJECTIVETo verify the anti-depression effect of acupuncture and moxibustion based on the medication with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

METHODSEighty cases of depression were randomly divided into an acupuncture-moxibustion-medication group (25 cases), an acupuncture-medication group (25 cases) and a medication group (30 cases). SSRIs medication was administered in all of the three groups. Complementarily, in acupuncture-moxibustion-medication group, the needling technique of qi conduction in the Governor Vessel was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16), Dazhui (GV 14), etc. Additionally, mild moxibustion was added at Dazhui (GV 14) and Baihui (GV 20). In acupuncture-medication group, acupuncture for qi conduction in the Governor Vessel was only adopted. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used for the evaluation of the total score, the score of each factor before and after treatment separately, and the therapeutic effects were observed among 3 groups.

RESULTSCompared with medication group, the scores of the factors as retardation, sleep, and anxiety/somatization, as well as the total score were all apparently improved in the other two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with acupuncture-medication group, the scores of sleep and cognition factors as well as the total score in HAMD were much improved in acupuncture-moxibustion-medication group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The remarkable effective rates were 100.0% (25/25), 84.0% (21/25) and 56.7% (17/30) in the three groups separately, in which, the result in acupuncture-moxibustion-medication group was superior to acupuncture-medication group (P < 0.05), and the results of these two groups were superior to medication group (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEither acupunctrure or moxibustion has a definite anti-depression effect based on SSRIs medication, but the coordination of acupuncture and moxibustion achieves a superior efficacy as compared with simple acupuncture therapy.