Efficacy and Safety of Intradermal Acupuncture for Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental illness that severely affects the health and quality of life of patients. Treatment with acupuncture alone or a combination of appropriate adjuncts has been reported to be significantly effective in reducing the severity of MDD, relieving patients' somatic symptoms and improving sleep. This study will focus on the intradermal acupuncture, which is more convenient, gentler and has longer lasting effects. The aim is to study the efficacy and safety of intradermal acupuncture for MDD, and to preliminarily explore the central nervous mechanisms by which it exerts its therapeutic effects.

Inclusion Criteria:Patients diagnosed with MDD according to the International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10);Aged between 18 and 60 years (no limitation on gender);No depression-related treatment in the past two weeks, except SSRIs;Patients undergoing MRI and MRS should be right-handed and free of traumatic brain injury, claustrophobia or metal implants;Written informed consent is obtained by the person or guardian.Exclusion Criteria:ICD-10 diagnoses: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, manic episode or other psychotic disorders; alcohol and drug addiction;Significant skin lesions, severe allergic diseases, tumors, and severe or unstable internal diseases involving the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, or hematological system;Acute suicidal tendency;Allergy to adhesive tape and fear of intradermal acupuncture;Pregnancy and lactation;Mental retardation and difficult to cooperate with doctors.Participating in other clinical trials.