Electroacupuncture for Major Depression

NCT ID: NCT00071110

Last Updated: 2010-01-11

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 57 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2004-03-31
• Study Completion Date: 2007-05-31

Brief Summary

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

Detailed Description

Major depression is a common and serious mental illness. It is associated with a markedly lower quality of life, significant functional impairment, and premature death due to suicide or comorbid physical illness. Over the past 50 years, effective and safe treatments for major depression have been developed, including antidepressant pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. However, many Americans who suffer from a depressive disorder either do not elect to receive one of these conventional treatments or do not complete an adequate course of treatment. A growing number of Americans with depression are choosing to be treated with complementary and alternative therapies. Acupuncture, in particular, is increasingly being used to treat depression even though only limited data support its safety and efficacy.

This study will use a randomized parallel-group design to compare the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of electroacupuncture (EA) and sham electroacupuncture (SA) for the treatment of major depression. Over a 15-month period, 60 adult outpatients with a major depressive disorder of mild or moderate severity (as defined by the DSM-IV) will be randomized to either 12 sessions of EA or SA to be provided over 6 weeks. Safety and symptomatic improvement (as measured with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD]) will constitute the primary outcome measures. Tolerability and functional improvement will constitute secondary outcome measures.

Conditions

Depression; Depressive Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

1

Electroacupuncture (EA).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Electroacupuncture

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

For subjects randomized to EA, needles were placed at points GV-20-on the crown of the head and yin tang-on the midline of the forehead roughly at the glabella and treated with electrical stimulation. 30 mm x 0.22 mm sterile stainless steel needles were placed obliquely to a depth of approximately 10 mm and were connected to face-microelectrodes which were connected to the Pantheon Research PENS-Electrostimulator. Electricity was provided at a frequency of 2 Hz and set to a voltage which resulted in the perception of a mild intensity stimulation.

2

Sham

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Sham

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

For subjects randomized to SA, two needles were placed laterally on the scalp, 3 cuns superior to the temporal attachment of the helix of the ear. This point was selected as it does not correspond to any specific meridian acupuncture point. A disabled electrical cable was connected to the needles and the electrostimulator, with light blinking at 2 Hz but no electrical stimulation provided.

Interventions

Electroacupuncture

For subjects randomized to EA, needles were placed at points GV-20-on the crown of the head and yin tang-on the midline of the forehead roughly at the glabella and treated with electrical stimulation. 30 mm x 0.22 mm sterile stainless steel needles were placed obliquely to a depth of approximately 10 mm and were connected to face-microelectrodes which were connected to the Pantheon Research PENS-Electrostimulator. Electricity was provided at a frequency of 2 Hz and set to a voltage which resulted in the perception of a mild intensity stimulation.

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Sham

For subjects randomized to SA, two needles were placed laterally on the scalp, 3 cuns superior to the temporal attachment of the helix of the ear. This point was selected as it does not correspond to any specific meridian acupuncture point. A disabled electrical cable was connected to the needles and the electrostimulator, with light blinking at 2 Hz but no electrical stimulation provided.

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 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

Exclusion Criteria

• 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.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 80 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

NIH

Sponsor Role: lead

Principal Investigators

Benoit H Mulsant, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Pittsburgh

Locations

UPMC Shadyside, Center for Complementary Medicine

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Countries

United States

References

Andreescu C, Glick RM, Emeremni CA, Houck PR, Mulsant BH. Acupuncture for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Aug;72(8):1129-35. doi: 10.4088/JCP.10m06105. Epub 2011 May 3.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 21672495 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

R21AT001218-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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