Acupuncture for the Treatment of Depressive Disorders:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Based on 52 Randomized Controlled Trials
10.11842/wst.20240710007
- VernacularTitle:针灸治疗抑郁障碍:一项基于52项随机对照试验的系统评价和Meta分析
- Author:
Moujia HAO
1
;
Tian SONG
;
Kailin YANG
;
Jinwen GE
;
Bolin ZHANG
;
Yexing YAN
Author Information
1. 大庆市中医医院 大庆 163311
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Acupuncture;
Electroacupuncture;
Depressive disorder;
Depression;
Randomized controlled trial;
Systematic review;
Meta-analysis
- From:
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;27(8):2298-2322
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in depressive disorders based on current randomized controlled trials(RCTs).Method RCTs on acupuncture interventions for primary depression by searching databases including CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,Sinomed,PubMed,and Embase.Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the literature,extracted data according to the latest Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions,and cross-checked the data.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.Result A total of 52 studies were included,comprising 5277 patients.The meta-analysis results showed that acupuncture significantly improved depression symptoms as measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD)and reduced clinical inefficacy rates{HAMD-17:WMD=-2.35,95%CI[-3.04,-1.67],P<0.000 01;HAMD-24:WMD=-2.77,95%CI[-3.52,-2.03],P<0.000 01;HAMD(unspecified scale):WMD=-2.77,95%CI[-3.52,-2.03],P<0.000 01;Clinical inefficacy:RR=0.39,95%CI[0.33,0.47],P<0.000 01}.Additionally,acupuncture increased 5-HT levels(SMD=1.11,95%CI[0.67,1.55],P<0.000 01).In terms of safety,acupuncture did not increase the incidence of adverse events and reduced TESS scores{Adverse event incidence:RR=0.65,95%CI[0.47,0.89],P=0.007;TESS scores:WMD=-1.66,95%CI[-3.12,-0.20],P=0.03}.There is potential publication bias regarding clinical inefficacy and adverse events,necessitating cautious interpretation.Conclusion Based on the current evidence,acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment for depressive disorders.However,more high-quality RCTs are needed to further validate or refine these conclusions.
