[Advances of clinical studies on acupuncture treatment of depression]

An increasing evidence shows that in the treatment of depression, acupuncture therapy is definitely effective. It has fewer side-effects and is extensively applicable for different types of patients. In the present paper, the authors follow the methodology of evidence-based medicine to make a systemic summary about acupuncture treatment of depression from 1) different therapeutic methods, such as electroacupuncture, acupuncture combined with psychological comforts, acupuncture combined with medication, etc. 2) different states of disease, and 3) special disease-induced psychological disorders. Moreover, the authors also make a discussion and a prospect on the treatment of depression and put forward some suggestions for clinical researches in the coming days.