The effectiveness of acupuncture for depression—a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

METHODS: Randomized control trials were in included in which either manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture was compared with any control procedure in subjects with depression. Data were extracted for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven randomised comparative trials involving 509 patients were included. The evidence is inconsistent on whether manual acupuncture is superior to sham, and suggests that acupuncture was not superior to waiting list. Evidence suggests that the effect of electroacupuncture may not be significantly different from antidepressant medication. There is inconclusive evidence on whether acupuncture has an additive effect when given as an adjunct to antidepressant drugs.