Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)in the treatment of mild to moderate depression with the method of"Regulating the Governor Vessel to Relieve Depression".Methods In a randomized,single-blind,parallel-controlled design,64 patients with depression were enrolled and assigned to the EA group and the control group in a 1∶1 ratio.In the EA group,Baihui,Shenting,Yintang,Neiguan,Sanyinjiao,Hegu and Taichong were selected,electrodes were connected to Baihui and Yintang,continuous wave and frequency of 2 Hz were applied,and each session was given for 30 min,3 times a week for 8 weeks.The control group used Streitberger needles which couldn't be inserted into the skin,and the acupoints and treatment course were the same as the EA group.The primary outcome was the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-17);secondary outcomes included the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9),the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the 36-item Short-form Health Survey(SF-36).Patients were assessed before treatment,at weeks 4 and 8 after treatment,and at the follow-up visit at week 12.Results 31 cases in the EA group finished the trial and 30 in the control group,with an overall dropout rate of 4.7％.Using the intention-to-treat analysis,patients'HAMD-17 scores in the EA group were lower than those in the control group at weeks 4,8 and 12 of treatment(P＜0.01).HAMD-17 scores decreased over time in both groups,but the EA's downward trend was more pronounced.At week 8,compared with the control group,the PHQ-9 and SAS scores were lower in the EA group(P＜0.01),the EA group scored higher on all 3 dimensions of SF-36,energy,social functioning and mental health(P＜0.01).Conclusion Compared with sham acupuncture,the EA treatment was more effective in improving depression,relieving anxiety and improving the quality of life of patients with mild to moderate depression.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)in the treatment of mild to moderate depression with the method of"Regulating the Governor Vessel to Relieve Depression".Methods In a randomized,single-blind,parallel-controlled design,64 patients with depression were enrolled and assigned to the EA group and the control group in a 1∶1 ratio.In the EA group,Baihui,Shenting,Yintang,Neiguan,Sanyinjiao,Hegu and Taichong were selected,electrodes were connected to Baihui and Yintang,continuous wave and frequency of 2 Hz were applied,and each session was given for 30 min,3 times a week for 8 weeks.The control group used Streitberger needles which couldn't be inserted into the skin,and the acupoints and treatment course were the same as the EA group.The primary outcome was the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-17);secondary outcomes included the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9),the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the 36-item Short-form Health Survey(SF-36).Patients were assessed before treatment,at weeks 4 and 8 after treatment,and at the follow-up visit at week 12.Results 31 cases in the EA group finished the trial and 30 in the control group,with an overall dropout rate of 4.7％.Using the intention-to-treat analysis,patients'HAMD-17 scores in the EA group were lower than those in the control group at weeks 4,8 and 12 of treatment(P＜0.01).HAMD-17 scores decreased over time in both groups,but the EA's downward trend was more pronounced.At week 8,compared with the control group,the PHQ-9 and SAS scores were lower in the EA group(P＜0.01),the EA group scored higher on all 3 dimensions of SF-36,energy,social functioning and mental health(P＜0.01).Conclusion Compared with sham acupuncture,the EA treatment was more effective in improving depression,relieving anxiety and improving the quality of life of patients with mild to moderate depression.