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). Limitations:: 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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 285-289 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Affective Disorders |
Volume | 130 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2011 |
Funding
This study was supported by the MGH Depression Clinical and Research Program's clinical practice revenues. Only the authors of the manuscript were involved in the study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, writing of the report, and the decision to submit the paper for publication.
Keywords
- Acupuncture
- Antidepressant
- Augmentation
- Depression
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health