Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure on Patients with Depression.

Objective: A systematic review of evaluating the clinical effects of auricular acupressure on patients with depression.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in various electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, CNKI, Wanfang, Embase, and VIP. The search time limit was from the establishment of the database to December, 2023. The included results were integrated and analyzed, and ReviewManager 5.4 was used for meta-analysis.

Results: A total of 13 studies with a total of 504 depression patients were included. Compared with the control group, auricular acupressure showed a significant reduction in depression scores, as reflected in the Hamilton Depression Scale (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.25~-0.75); risk rate [RR] = 1.96, 95% CI: 0.66~5.82), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SMD = -0.91, 95% CI: -1.15~-0.67), and Patient Health Questionnaire scores (SMD = -0.94, 95% CI: -1.46~-0.41; all p < 0.01).

Conclusions: The meta-analysis suggested that auricular acupoint therapy is safe and effective in treating depression, and can reduce Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. There were no obvious adverse reactions. This therapy could therefore be used as a complementary therapeutic approach for patients with depression.