Clinical and biochemical observations during treatment of depression with electroacupuncture: a pilot study

Six patients suffering from major depression were treated with electroacupuncture. During 4 weeks of treatment, the total CPRS-S-A score decreased from 23.8 to 13.4 (p=0.0095). A decrease of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in plasma during the first 2 weeks of treatment was noted in five of the patients, all being women (p=0.0431). The decrease was negatively correlated with age (rs=-0.29; p=0.046). The results are in line with a putative antidepressive effect of electroacupuncture, along with an influence on NPY in plasma.