Electroacupuncture for Major Depression

Completed · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Depression, Depressive Disorder

In brief

This study will compare the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of electroacupuncture (EA) and sham electroacupuncture (SA) for the treatment of major depression.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00071110

Run by

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

People needed

57

Starts

2004-03-01

Expected to finish

2007-05-01

Last updated by the study team

2010-01-11

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Meet SCID criteria for a Major Depressive Disorder (Single or Recurrent) with a current major depressive episode of mild or moderate severity
• Significant symptoms of depression (HRSD > 14)
• Ability to communicate in English
• Give informed consent in accordance with local IRB regulations

You may not qualify if…

• Personal physician's recommendation against enrollment because the patient is physically unstable or for other reasons
• Having been treated with acupuncture for any condition
• History of seizure disorder or significant risk factors for a seizure disorder (e.g., history of brain trauma, recent stroke, or brain tumor)
• Need to remain on antidepressant or other psychotropic medications
• Absence of depressive symptoms severe enough (i.e., HRSD < 14) at the baseline assessments
• Significant cognitive impairment, as assessed by a total score on the MMSE < 25. A recommendation for referral to a neurologist or a psychiatrist will be made to the patient in these cases.
• Chronic major depression (i.e, duration of 2 years or longer) A recommendation for referral to a psychiatrist will be made in these cases.
• Major depressive episode severe or severe with psychotic features (as per DSM-IV/SCID) or with acutely suicidality. A recommendation for psychiatric referral will be made in these cases. Bipolar disorder, psychotic features, or a psychotic disorder (specifically: schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or schizoaffective disorder). A recommendation for psychiatric referral will be made in these cases.
• Met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol substance abuse or dependence within the past six months. A recommendation for referral to a mental health professional will be made in these cases.

Where it is running

• UPMC Shadyside, Center for Complementary Medicine — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.