[Acupuncture in the treatment of patients with endogenous depression]

Acupuncture as an independent method of treatment has been employed in 167 patients with depression associated with manic-depressive psychosis and schizophrenia. It has been established that as judged by the characteristics of psychotropic activity and potency of the antidepressive action this mode of treatment most resembles the administration of balanced antidepressants of the pyrasidol type. Variance, correlation and regression analysis of clinical data has allowed the identification of the predictors of therapy efficacy. The peculiarities of reversed time-course of depressive symptomatology in the process of treatment have also been investigated. The main indications for the therapy have been determined. Acupuncture was found to be effective in some patients showing resistance to antidepressants. The paper presents the results of psychological, biochemical and electrophysiologic examinations of patients in the process of the treatment.