Acupuncture for Persistent Insomnia Associated With Major Depressive Disorder

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Electroacupuncture for Persistent Insomnia Symptoms Associated With Major Depressive Disorder

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on residual insomnia in major depressive patients.

This is a randomized single-blinded controlled trial. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups. One is the traditional acupuncture treatment group, one is the non-traditional acupuncture treatment group and the other is an acupuncture-like placebo treatment. Patients will be put into groups and then compared. The chance of getting into each group is 2:2:1.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 years or above
• A previous Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV Major Depressive Disorder
• Have a current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV diagnosis of insomnia disorder
• Insomnia more than 3 nights per week for at least 3 months
• Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI) total score higher than 15 at screening and baseline visit
• Use of antidepressants at the same dosage for at least 12 weeks prior to screening visit
• Hypnotic dosage has not been increased in the last 4 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores above 18
• Have sleep apnea or periodic limbs movement disorder detected by overnight polysomnography
• Have suicidal risk as assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale suicidal risk item
• Have previous history of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorder
• Have current alcohol or drug abuse and dependence
• Pregnant, breast-feeding, or woman of childbearing potential not using adequate contraception
• Have infection or abscess close to the site of selected acupoints and in the investigator's opinion inclusion is unsafe
• Taking Chinese herbal medicine or over-the-counter drugs which are intending for insomnia within the last 2 weeks prior to baseline or during the study
• Any acupuncture treatment during the previous 12 months prior to baseline and
• Unstable medical conditions.