Pilot Study on the Use of Acupuncture for Postpartum Depression

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ethnic Hong Kong Chinese aged 18 years or above;
• Within 6 months of giving birth;
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (Cox et al., 1987) score higher than or equal to 12 or being diagnosed as depressed by their obstetrician;
• Meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV diagnosis criteria for major depressive disorder;
• 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17) (Hamilton, 1960) score of between 12 and 19 at screening and baseline assessment;
• Willingness to give informed consent and comply with trial protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Suffering from other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder or substance use disorder;
• Serious physical illnesses or mental disorders due to a general medical condition which are judged by the investigator to render unsafe;
• A significant risk of suicide according to the rating of HDRS17 item 3 (score higher than 2), i.e., presence of ideas or gesture of suicide;
• A presence of idea of self-harming according to the rating of EPDS item 10 (score higher than 0);
• A significant risk of infanticide according to the investigator assessment;
• Any acupuncture treatment during the previous 12 months prior to baseline;
• Valvular heart defects, bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulant drugs;
• Infection or abscess close to the site of selected acupoints;
• Herbal remedies or psychotropic drugs that are intended for depression are taken within the last 2 weeks prior to baseline or during the study.
• Receiving counseling or psychological therapies at baseline or during the study;
• Participation in any clinical trial within the previous 3 months prior to baseline;