Effectiveness and Safety of Electro-acupuncture for Mild-to-moderate Perimenopausal Depression

Main objective: to compare the effects of electro-acupuncture and escitalopram oxalate tablets on mild-to-moderate perimenopausal depression, and to evaluate the safety of electroacupuncture stimulation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Conforms to the diagnosis standard of STRAW-10 for perimenopause, conforms to the diagnosis standard of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) for depression, and conforms to the diagnosis standard of The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) F32.0(mild depression) or F32.1(moderate depression);
• Fisrt attack during perimenopausal period;
• HAMD-17 score >7 and <23;
• Age ≥45 to ≤55;
• No hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or no antidepressant 3 months before into the group;
• Sign the consent consent, volunteered for this study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Fail to rule out the possibility of suicide in depression factor of The Symptom Checklist (SCL-90);
• Application of estrogen, progesterone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), soybean isoflavone, vitamin E or black cohosh in recent 4 weeks;
• Allergic to citalopram or escitalopram tablets;
• Taken the non selective, irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAOIs) in recent 2 weeks;
• Taken linezolid, pimozide, tryptophane,tramadol, triptans or other drugs that may cause drug adverse reactions in recent 2 weeks;
• Patient with prolongation of the QT interval or congenital long QT syndrome
• Taken herbs or products that contain isatin, pilose antler, hawthorn, fleeceflower root, common St.John's wort herb, hypericin;
• Ovarian dropsy or hysteromyoma with more than 4cm diameter, oophorectomy, or hysterectomy;
• Mandatory indications of hormonotherapy, such as surgery-induced menopause or osteoporosis;
• Patient with history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy;
• Vaginal bleeding of undetermined origin;
• Patient with coagulation disorders, or taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, or heparin;
• Patient with skin diseases, such as eczema,or psoriasis;
• Serious hepatic insufficiency or serious renal inadequacy;
• Uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease;
• Diabetic neuropathy, or malignant tumor;
• Pregnancy intention, in pregnancy or lactation;
• Regular use of sedative and anti anxiety drugs;
• The long-term smoking and/or drinking;
• Having Pacemaker or artificial joint；
• Electrolyte is disorder, serious heart disease or other potential life-threatening disease patients;
• Compliance may be poor or fear of acupuncture.