Pilot Study on the Use of Acupuncture for Postpartum Depression

Exclusion Criteria

• •Suffering from other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder or substance use disorder;
• •Serious physical illnesses or mental disorders due to a general medical condition which are judged by the investigator to render unsafe;
• •A significant risk of suicide according to the rating of HDRS17 item 3 (score higher than 2), i.e., presence of ideas or gesture of suicide;
• •A presence of idea of self-harming according to the rating of EPDS item 10 (score higher than 0);
• •A significant risk of infanticide according to the investigator assessment;
• •Any acupuncture treatment during the previous 12 months prior to baseline;
• •Valvular heart defects, bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulant drugs;
• •Infection or abscess close to the site of selected acupoints;
• •Herbal remedies or psychotropic drugs that are intended for depression are taken within the last 2 weeks prior to baseline or during the study.
• •Receiving counseling or psychological therapies at baseline or during the study;
• •Participation in any clinical trial within the previous 3 months prior to baseline;