150 pregnant women who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition) criteria for major depressive disorder, and who scored at least 14 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, were randomly assigned to three different groups: acupuncture specific for depression, or one of two control groups; non-specific acupuncture or Swedish massage. They were treated over an eight-week period and received 12 treatments during that time.
The Results: Women treated with the depression-specific acupuncture had a 63% response rate after 12 sessions compared with a 44.3% response rate in 2 combined control groups. This result was statistically significant.
Conclusion: Targeted acupuncture may offer women with major depression a safe and effective alternative to antidepressant medication.
Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology VOL. 115, NO. 3, MARCH 2010.
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