Can electroacupuncture improve symptoms of mild to moderate postnatal depression?

The effect of electroacupuncture on mild to moderate postpartum depression: a randomized controlled single-blind study.

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN49447857

Enrollment

Registered

2019-05-23

Start date

2018-10-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-03-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Postpartum depression Mental and Behavioural Disorders

Interventions

Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into treatment group or control group using SAS software. Group assignment information will be kept in sealed envelopes. According to their group assignment

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Female

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosed with postpartum depression according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) by psychiatrists 2. Conceived naturally or artificially 3. Aged 20–50 years 4. Overall score of =9 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) 5. Diagnosed with mild to moderate postpartum depression according to the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (17-HAMD) 6. Postpartum depression onset time within 1 year after delivery 7. Can accept electroacupuncture treatment and complete the prescribed course of treatment 8. Agrees to participate in the study willingly and voluntarily and signs the informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Brain disease or mental retardation, or have difficulty understanding the contents of questionnaires or are unable to communicate effectively 2. History of epilepsy, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder 3. History of suicide attempts 4. Diagnosed with non-depressive psychosis by psychiatrists 5. Addicted to alcohol or drugs 6. Received antidepressant therapy within the past month 7. Hemorrhagic diseases or infectious diseases or otherwise unable to receive acupuncture therapy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Severity of depression using the first 17 answers on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). The 17-HAMD will be measured by a professional psychiatrist at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 6	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Severity of depression using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 6 2. Postpartum depression assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at baseline, weeks 2, 4 and 6 and week 10 (4 weeks after treatment end) 3. Alertness assessed using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 6 4. Maternal functional status assessed using the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning at baseline, weeks 2, 4 and 6 and week 10 (4 weeks after treatment end) 5. Severity of depression using the first 17 answers on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) at week 10 (4 weeks after treatment end) 6. Participant assessment of depression assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9) at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 6	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Severity of depression using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 6 2. Postpartum depression assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at baseline, weeks 2, 4 and 6 and week 10 (4 weeks after treatment end) 3. Alertness assessed using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 6 4. Maternal functional status assessed using the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning at baseline, weeks 2, 4 and 6 and week 10 (4 weeks after treatment end) 5. Severity of depression using the first 17 answers on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) at week 10 (4 weeks after treatment end) 6. Participant assessment of depression assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9) at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 6

—

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026