The Impact of Acupuncture on The Brain Function of Patients With Mild to Moderate Depressive Disorders: A Study Protocol

Abstract Introduction: Depressive disorders are common mental disease that significantly impact the daily lives of those affected. Acupuncture has shown promising therapeutic effects in the treatment of depressive disorders, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on mild to moderate depressive disorders and its influence on the brain function of patients with mild to moderate depressive disorders. Methods This study plans to recruit 118 participants, who will be randomly allocated to either the acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will undergo 8 weeks of treatment, consisting of three sessions per week, with each session lasting for 30 minutes. A follow-up period of 3 months will be conducted after the treatment. Assessments will be conducted at weeks 0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 in this study. The primary outcome measure will be self-rating depression scale (SDS), while secondary outcome measures will include the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), quality of life scale (SF-36), traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, symptom elimination rate and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain imaging. Discussion While acupuncture has been confirmed to have a certain degree of therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of depressive disorders, research on the mechanisms underlying acupuncture's treatment of depression remains limited, particularly with regards to its impact on the brain function of individuals with depression. This study aims to explore both the clinical effectiveness and treatment mechanisms of acupuncture for depressive disorders, with a specific focus on its influence on brain function. This research endeavors to provide new insights into the potential of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of depression in the future.