Review Article

Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Perimenopausal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 2

Characteristics of included RCTs.

First author, yearSample sizePeriod of treatmentExperimental interventionControl interventionOutcome measuresAdverse events (n)Follow-up times
Active groupControl groupTypeMain acupuncture pointsActive groupControl group

Chi 201130304 weeksMADU20, EX-HN3, EX-HN1, LR-14, LR3, KI3, ST36, SP6ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD score, 5-HTOccasional subcutaneous hematomaDizziness (1), nausea (2)NR
Deng 200829294 weeksMA (AA)CV12, CV10, RN6, RN4, RN3, KI17 (left)DeanxitEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD score, KMI scoreChanges of character of stool (2), palpitation (1)Dry mouth and halitosis (9), dysphoria (6), changes of character of stool (6), dreaminess (6), breast distending pain (5)The 6th week and the 8th week
Dong 200530301 monthMABL13, BL14, BL17, BL18, BL13, BL21, BL23HRT+ ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD scoreNRNRNR
He 201330308 weeksMA (AA)CV12, CV10, RN4, RN6, KI13, Qipang (0.5 cun beside RN 6)ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, BDI scoreNRNRNR
Li 201532323 monthsMABL23, BL18, BL14, DU20, EX-HN1, DU24, EX-HN3, PC6ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD score, KMI scoreNoneNausea, vomiting, dry mouth, indigestion, diarrhea, insomnia, headache, dizziness (8)After 3 months
Lin 200840406 weeksMADU20, EX-HN3, PC6, HT7, LI4, LR3, SP6, KI3ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rateNRNRNR
Li 201811610512 weeksEARN4, EX-CA1, ST25, SP6, LI4, LR3, DU20, EX-HN3EscitalopramHAMD score, MENQOL score, FSH, E2, LHSubcutaneous hematoma (14),Dizziness, palpitation, stomachache (18)The 16th week and the 24th week
Ma 200930308 weeksMAHT7, PC7, DU20, EX-HN3, PC6, EX-HN1, ST36, SP6ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD score, TESS scoreNoneDizziness (2), nausea (4)NR
Niu 201741416 weeksMABL13, BL14, BL17, BL18, BL13, BL23ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD scoreDizziness (2), palpitation (1), dry mouth (1), nausea (3)Dizziness (1), palpitation (2), dry mouth (2), nausea (1)NR
Qiang 200830304 weeksMAEX-HN1, GB20, BL14, BL18, BL23ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD scoreNRNRNR
Qian 200933336 weeksMABL13, BL14, BL17, BL18, BL13, BL23ProzacHAMD scoreDizziness (2), palpitation (1)Insomnia (1), akathisia (1), dry mouth (1), nausea (1), palpitation (1), skin symptom (1), excitement (2)NR
Shi 2018303012 weeksEARN4, EX-CAI, ST25, SP6, LI4, LR3, DU20, EX-HN3EscitalopramEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD scoreNRNRThe 16th week and the 24th week
Skn 2015212112 weeksEARN4, EX-CAI, ST25, SP6, LI4, LR3, DU20, EX-HN3EscitalopramEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD scoreNRNRNR
Wang 201030304 weeksMA (AA)CV12, CV10, RN6, RN4, RN3, KI17 (left)DeanxitEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD scorePalpitation (1) changes of character of stool (2)Dry mouth and bitter mouth (9), breast distending pain, dreaminess, dysphoria (6)The 6th week and the 8th week
Zhang 201044463 monthsEADU20, PC6, LR3, KI3, SP6, BL13, BL14, BL18, BL13, BL23HRT+ ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD score, KMI score, FSH, E2, LHSweating, dizziness, vomiting (5)Dry mouth and halitosis (5), nausea (6), dysphoria (2), constipation (6), dreaminess (2), breast distending pain (2)NR
Zhang 201394943 monthsMASP6, BG13, DU24, EX-HN1, HT7HRT+ ProzacEffective rate, HAMD reduction rate, HAMD score, FSH, E2, LHFeeling pain when inserting needle (2)Dizziness (5), nausea and vomiting (4), hypersomnia (3)NR

EA, electroacupuncture; MA, manual acupuncture; AA, abdominal acupuncture; HRT, hormone replacement therapy; HAMD, Hamilton depression scale; MENQOL, menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire; BDI, back depression inventory; KMI, Kupperman index; NR, not reported.