Electroacupuncture for cancer-related depression

The Effect and Safety of Electroacupuncture on Treating Cancer-related Depression: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

This trial tests whether electroacupuncture can reduce depression symptoms in adults with cancer-related depression.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 86 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, immunotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Shanghai)
• Trial ID: NCT07003763 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized controlled trial comparing electroacupuncture to superficial acupuncture at non-acupoints and to standard care in adults with cancer-related depression. Participants are adults aged 18–75 with DSM-V–defined depression related to cancer and a baseline HDRS-17 score >17, able to attend in-person treatments and with ECOG ≤2. The study measures short- and long-term changes in depressive symptoms and tracks safety and tolerability of the interventions. It is conducted at the Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (18–75) whose depression began with or during cancer, meet DSM-V criteria with HDRS-17 >17, have ECOG performance status ≤2, have not previously had acupuncture, and are not scheduled for active cancer treatments during the study.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of major depressive episodes before their cancer diagnosis, significant uncontrolled cancer pain (PRI ≥4), planned surgeries or active cancer therapies during the study, very limited life expectancy, or local skin infections at acupuncture sites are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could provide a safe, non-drug option to reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with cancer-related depression.

How similar studies have performed: Small trials and observational studies of acupuncture or electroacupuncture have shown promising signals for depression and cancer symptom relief, but high-quality randomized evidence specifically for cancer-related depression remains limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of depression attributed to cancer itself or cancer-related treatments, meeting the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder（DSM-V).
2. Age between 18 and 75 years, regardless of sex.
3. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HDRS-17) total score \>17 at baseline.
4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of ≤2.
5. No previous exposure to acupuncture treatment.
6. Ability to understand the study procedures and willingness to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Planned to undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or other active cancer-related treatments during the study period.
2. History of major depressive episodes prior to cancer diagnosis.
3. Pain Rating Index (PRI) score ≥4 due to cancer-related pain.
4. Estimated life expectancy of 12 months or less.
5. Presence of severe ulcers, abscesses, or active skin infections at or near the acupuncture sites.
6. Clinically significant dysfunction of major organs, including severe cardiac, cerebral, hepatic, renal impairment; decompensated pulmonary disease; or other serious systemic illnesses.
7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
8. Participation in another clinical trial within the past 30 days.
9. Patients with a cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electronic medical devices.

Where this trial is running

Shanghai

• Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine — Shanghai, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Xuan Yin, Doctor

Conditions Depression; Cancer; Electroacupuncture; cancer; depression; randomized controlled trial