The goal of this pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial is to investigate the impact of electroacupuncture on cognitive function, quality of life (QoL), and depression severity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Primary : electroacupuncture has the potential to treat subjective cognitive complaints and cognitive impairment in MDD outpatients * Secondary : electroacupuncture has the potential to treat depressive in MDD outpatients The 60 participants will randomly be assigned to either the treatment group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group will undergo electroacupuncture (EA), while the control group will receive sham acupuncture within 10 weeks period. Both groups will receive antidepressants with adjunctive medication (i.e., benzodiazepines, tricyclics, or antipsychotics) as the standard treatment. All participants will be assessed for executive functions and memory using specific cognitive tests, including the Trail Making Test B (TMT-B), Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), category delayed recall in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), and subjective reports of concern regarding concentration, memory, problem-solving, learning, communication, and quality of life (QoL) concerns using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0; sections D1.1-1.6 and H1-3), and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Thai-PHQ-9.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
60
The acupuncture needle was placed on the scalp at a Chinese traditional acupuncture point. Subsequently, a small electrode was attached to the needle. A minor amount of electricity runs through the electrode, producing a slight vibration or soft hum during the treatment.
participants received acupress or a brief needle insertion at He gu on both hands during the first and 10th weeks, marking the endpoint of the study
Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University
Khlong Luang, Changwat Pathum Thani, Thailand
Trail making test B (TMT-B)
The TMT- B is scored based on the time (in seconds) it takes to complete the test, including corrections for errors prompted by the examiner. A shorter time implies better performance.
Time frame: Pre-intervention at the beginning point (T0) and the endpoint will be the 10th week (T10)
The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT)
SCWT used to assess the ability to inhibit cognitive interference that occurs when the processing of a specific stimulus feature impedes the simultaneous processing of a second stimulus attribute."Score" refers to the number of words achieved, and a higher number of words indicates a better score.
Time frame: Pre-intervention at the beginning point (T0) and the endpoint will be the 10th week (T10)
ADAS-cog category delayed recall
ADAS-cog category delayed recall is used to assess memory. The score reflects the number of words that can be remembered. The more words remembered, the better the score.
Time frame: Pre-intervention at the beginning point (T0) and the endpoint will be the 10th week (T10)
Subjective cognitive complaint
WHODAS 2.0; sections D1.1-1.6 and H1-3, which is a questionnaire asking about the number of days in the past 30 days when participants experienced difficulties with attention, understanding, and initiating conversation. "Score" is the rating of the number of days with issues, and a decrease in score indicates improvement or a better outcome.
Time frame: Pre-intervention at the beginning point (T0) and the endpoint will be the 10th week (T10)
Thai Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
The Thai PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) objectifies and assesses degree of depression severity via questionnaire. A lower score means better."
Time frame: Pre-intervention at the beginning point (T0) and the endpoint will be the 10th week (T10)
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