Acupuncture vs Medication for Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Issues in Chinese Adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional trial compares acupuncture to usual care with medication for adults 18–65 in China who have depressive and/or anxiety symptoms, including sleep disturbances. It aims to evaluate not only clinical outcomes but also cost-effectiveness and environmental footprint. The study uses standard screening tools to identify eligible participants and includes full treatment courses as part of the assessment. Results could inform policy and care decisions about integrating acupuncture into mainstream medical practice in China. The trial is conducted at collaborations between Duke Kunshan University and local medical centers.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Chinese nationals 18-65 years old
2. At least one of the screening scores below suggestive of depression/anxiety tendencies:

   1. Depressive state: Depression Self-Rating Scale (SDS) raw score ≥43; standard score ≥53 (27)
   2. Anxiety state: Anxiety Self-Rating Scale (SAS) raw score ≥40; standard score ≥50 (28) Note: (standard score = raw score X 1.25)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with severe comorbid physical illnesses that prevent them from completing the full course of treatment;
2. Patients with a risk of suicide;
3. Patients with a history of head trauma, loss of consciousness, or severe mental disorders;
4. Patients with drugs or alcohol abuse;
5. Patients who have received physical treatment methods within the past 3 months;
6. Patients who have received antidepressant or antipsychotic medication treatment within the past 3 months;
7. Patients with severe skin lesions or skin diseases.

Where it's running

• Kunshan Mental Health Center and Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  Kunshan, Jiangsu, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Claudia Nisa — Duke Kunshan University
• Study coordinator: Claudia F. Nisa
• Email: claudia.nisa@duke.edu
• Phone: 008618151144079

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Heartsight helps caregivers of kids after cardiac arrest manage uncertainty and fear

  This pilot trial tests if the Heartsight information program is acceptable and helpful for caregivers of children who recently had a cardiac arrest.

  Recruiting Children's Hospital of Philadelphia · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · NCT07707037

• Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy to Prevent Burnout in Spanish Healthcare Professionals

  A compassion-based program is tested to see if it can help prevent burnout in Spanish doctors and nurses, compared with a relaxation program.

  Recruiting Hospital Miguel Servet · Zaragoza, Spain · NCT07698379

• Using a weighted blanket to help cancer patients during IV therapy

  A randomized study tests whether wearing a weighted blanket during IV cancer treatment reduces anxiety, stress, and depression and increases comfort compared with standard blankets.

  Recruiting Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Center · Muscat, Seeb · NCT07653035

• Group-based ACT for psychological distress in young people

  Researchers are testing whether group-based ACT helps 16-25 year olds with depression or anxiety more than the usual individual therapy.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Sorlandet Hospital HF · Arendal, Agder and 1 other locations · NCT07617467

• Online group I-Reconstruction psychotherapy to reduce anxiety

  This trial tests whether a 10-week online group course using the I-Reconstruction method can help adults with anxiety feel less anxious.

  Recruiting International Association Psychosomatics And Health Therapy · Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast · NCT07397429

• Probiotics for Anxiety and Depression: Side by Side with an Antidepressant

  This study tests whether adding probiotics to treatment can help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in adults compared with placebo, alongside traditional therapy, and checks safety and related biological markers.

  Recruiting Moon (Guangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. · Guangzhou, Guangdong · NCT07331987

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.