NCT06239740

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Cognitive Symptoms in Major Depressive Disorder

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Cognitive Symptoms in Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Thammasat University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial is to investigate the impact of electroacupuncture on cognitive function, quality of life (QoL), and depression severity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Primary : electroacupuncture has the potential to treat subjective cognitive complaints and cognitive impairment in MDD outpatients * Secondary : electroacupuncture has the potential to treat depressive in MDD outpatients The 60 participants will randomly be assigned to either the treatment group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group will undergo electroacupuncture (EA), while the control group will receive sham acupuncture within 10 weeks period. Both groups will receive antidepressants with adjunctive medication (i.e., benzodiazepines, tricyclics, or antipsychotics) as the standard treatment. All participants will be assessed for executive functions and memory using specific cognitive tests, including the Trail Making Test B (TMT-B), Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), category delayed recall in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), and subjective reports of concern regarding concentration, memory, problem-solving, learning, communication, and quality of life (QoL) concerns using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0; sections D1.1-1.6 and H1-3), and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Thai-PHQ-9.

Conditions

• Major Depressive Disorders
• Cognitive Dysfunction

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Electroacupuncture group	The acupuncture needle was placed on the scalp at a Chinese traditional acupuncture point. Subsequently, a small electrode was attached to the needle. A minor amount of electricity runs through the electrode, producing a slight vibration or soft hum during the treatment.
PROCEDURE	Sham acupuncture	participants received acupress or a brief needle insertion at He gu on both hands during the first and 10th weeks, marking the endpoint of the study

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-12-24
• Primary completion: 2023-01-24
• Completion: 2023-01-24
• First posted: 2024-02-02
• Last updated: 2024-02-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Thailand