OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative effect of primary depression treated with the main points of Back-shu points of Five-zang and Geshu (BL 17) according to the differentiation.

METHODS: Sixty cases of primary depression were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (31 cases) and a western medication group (29 cases). In acupuncture group, Back-shu points of Five-zang and Geshu (BL 17) were applied as the main points, Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were added for stagnation of liver qi and spleen deficiency; Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were added for deficiency of both heart and spleen according to the differentiation. In western medication group, Fluoxetine Hydrochloride capsule was taken by oral administration for 20 mg, once a day. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks in both groups. After 2, 4, and 6 weeks treatment, the clinical curative effects of both groups were assessed by Hamilton Depression (HAMD) Rating Scale, HAMD Factor Analysis and Asberg Side Effect Scale.

RESULTS: After 6 weeks treatment, the total effective rate was 67.7% (21/31) in acupuncture group and 65.5% (19/29) in western medication group, indicating the close curative effects(P > 0.05). After 2, 4, and 6 weeks treatment, the HAMD score, scores of anxious somatization, sleeping and retardation factors were significantly reduced (all P < 0.01) in two groups, through the comparison at different time points between two groups, scores of anxious somatization, sleeping factors in acupuncture group were superior to those in western medication group (both P < 0.05), but score of retardation factor in western medication group was superior to that in acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The Asberg Side Effect Scale in western medication group arrived at peak at thesecond week, and then reduced slowly; the side effect in acupuncture group was low and steady, and lower than that in western medication group after 6 week treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The curative effect of depression with acupuncture based on differentiation is equal to that of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride capsule with oral administration, while the side effect is milder than that of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride capsule.