Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Acupuncture practice is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles of harmonization and balance, and the need to maintain unobstructed flow of energy (Qi) to attain efficient body functioning and metabolism so as to attain good mental and physical state of health. While increasing numbers of patients are seeking acupuncture treatment for depression in recent years, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for in-hospital patients with severe depressive conditions and comorbid cognitive dysfunction, who need intensive antidepression care. In this study, we propose a randomized clinical trial to test the clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment for in-hospital patients who are suffering from major depressive disorder. A total of 84 patients will be 1:1 randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups in a single-blind randomized controlled trial. The specific intervention arm involved daily augmentation TCM-style acupuncture with manual stimulation for total 10 sessions; the control arm is consisted of patients with treatment as usual (TAU), i. e. waitlist condition who will receive standard antidepressant medication with or without psychotherapies. Patients in TAU arm will be offered one free course (total 10 sessions) of acupuncture treatment in TCM outpatient clinic after they have been discharged from the ward. All patients' depressive symptoms, cognitive function, quality of life and functioning will be assessed and compared at pre-treatment (baseline), immediately after in-hospital acupuncture treatment, one-month post-treatment and 3-month post-treatment. In addition, we will analyze the association of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with the treatment effect of acupuncture. This study will be the first study to examine whether acupuncture is a viable augmentation treatment for in-hospital patients with depression. Expected outcomes will include determining the relative short and medium-term clinical effects from the most commonly used acupuncture treatment modalities in a local and multiethnic population.


Clinical Trial Description

n/a


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT05452746
Study type Interventional
Source Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
Contact Phern Chern Tor, MBBS
Phone 63892000
Email phern_chern_tor@imh.com.sg
Status Recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date June 24, 2022
Completion date May 31, 2025

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Active, not recruiting NCT05777044 - The Effect of Hatha Yoga on Mental Health N/A
Recruiting NCT04680611 - Severe Asthma, MepolizumaB and Affect: SAMBA Study
Recruiting NCT04977232 - Adjunctive Game Intervention for Anhedonia in MDD Patients N/A
Recruiting NCT04043052 - Mobile Technologies and Post-stroke Depression N/A
Completed NCT04512768 - Treating Comorbid Insomnia in Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy N/A
Recruiting NCT03207828 - Testing Interventions for Patients With Fibromyalgia and Depression N/A
Completed NCT04617015 - Defining and Treating Depression-related Asthma Early Phase 1
Recruiting NCT06011681 - The Rapid Diagnosis of MCI and Depression in Patients Ages 60 and Over
Completed NCT04476446 - An Expanded Access Protocol for Esketamine Treatment in Participants With Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) Who do Not Have Other Treatment Alternatives Phase 3
Recruiting NCT02783430 - Evaluation of the Initial Prescription of Ketamine and Milnacipran in Depression in Patients With a Progressive Disease Phase 2/Phase 3
Recruiting NCT05563805 - Exploring Virtual Reality Adventure Training Exergaming N/A
Completed NCT04598165 - Mobile WACh NEO: Mobile Solutions for Neonatal Health and Maternal Support N/A
Completed NCT03457714 - Guided Internet Delivered Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury: A Feasibility Trial
Recruiting NCT05956912 - Implementing Group Metacognitive Therapy in Cardiac Rehabilitation Services (PATHWAY-Beacons)
Completed NCT05588622 - Meru Health Program for Cancer Patients With Depression and Anxiety N/A
Recruiting NCT05234476 - Behavioral Activation Plus Savoring for University Students N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT05006976 - A Naturalistic Trial of Nudging Clinicians in the Norwegian Sickness Absence Clinic. The NSAC Nudge Study N/A
Enrolling by invitation NCT03276585 - Night in Japan Home Sleep Monitoring Study
Terminated NCT03275571 - HIV, Computerized Depression Therapy & Cognition N/A
Completed NCT03167372 - Pilot Comparison of N-of-1 Trials of Light Therapy N/A