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Background: The benefits of acupuncture on major depressive disorder (MDD) have been well established in previous studies. However, uncertainty exists regarding the dose-effect relationship between acupuncture and major depressive disorder. This study aims to explore the association between acupuncture and its effects on major depressive disorder based on previously published data.
Methods: Nine databases were searched from inception until 10th September 2021. Randomized controlled trials that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture, or anti-depressants, were included. The data extraction, and assessing the data quality and risk of bias completed by two researcher, respectively. A non-linear meta-regression approach with restricted cubic spline was used to investigate the dose-effect relationship between acupuncture sessions and their effects on the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) score.
Results: Of the 20,835 citations screened, 62 studies (2269 patients of major depressive disorder) were included. The dose-effect meta-analysis suggested that acupuncture session was associated with a decline in HAMD scores. Overall, an increase in the number of acupuncture sessions received was associated with symptom improvement in major depressive disorder patients. After 8 acupuncture sessions, the HAMD score decreased from 17.68 (95% CI: -11.81, -4.80) to 8.30 (95% CI: 14.23-21.13). After 24 acupuncture sessions, a decrease in HAMD scores was observed in 51% of cases (95% CI: 48% to 54%). After 36 acupuncture sessions, the effect of improvement in HAMD scores peaked at 66% of cases (95% CI: 59% to 72%).
Conclusions: A dose-effect relationship was found between the number of acupuncture sessions and HAMD scores. 36 acupuncture sessions were associated with optimal clinical response.
Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35504399/