Table 3.

The intervention arms of depression studies of acupuncture

Trial (first author, date)	Acupuncture Intervention
1. Luo et al. 1985 (China)	Two acupuncture points (Du 20 and Yintang) were stimulated with electro acupuncture, six sessions a week for 5 weeks. Du 20 and Yintang were points used
2. Luo et al. 1988 (China)	Two acupuncture points (Du 20 and Yintang) were stimulated with electro acupuncture, six sessions a week for 6 weeks.
3. Xiujuan et al. 1994 (China)	Acupuncture points Du 24, 20, 14, 12, Ren 17, 14, GB 20, and P6 Additional points used depending on Chinese medical diagnosis Stagnation of Liver qi = St 23, Sp6, Liv3 Stagnation of Liver blood = LI4, Liv3, Sp10 Spleen and Heart deficiency = H7, P7, Sp6, St36 Spleen and Kidney yang deficiency = K3, Sp6, St36, Ren 4 Needles inserted bi‐laterally and Du 24 and 20 stimulated with electro acupuncture (freq 80–100/second) Treatment administered for six consecutive days per week followed by a 1 day break for 6 weeks
4. Luo et al. 1998 (China)	Two acupuncture points (Du 20 and Yintang) were stimulated with electro‐ acupuncture (current 3–5 mA at a frequency of 2 Hz). Needles inserted obliquely 2–3 cm under the skin. Participants received six sessions a week for 6 weeks.
5. Allen et al. 1998 (USA)	Acupuncture based differential diagnosis according to Chinese medical concepts/theories. These were developed according to a treatment manual by the assessing acupuncturist (Schnyer). Patients were assessed by one acupuncturist whilst four others provided treatments. Practitioners were ostensibly blinded as to whether patients were receiving specific or nonspecific acupuncture, having rated their beliefs in treatment efficacy similarly for both types of intervention. Treatment involved twelve sessions over 8 weeks.
6. Roschke et al. 2000 (Germany)	Acupuncture, three times a week for 4 weeks. Delivered by 2 clinicians Standardized whole body treatment, three times per week over four consecutive weeks. Each session lasted 30 minutes, each patient being seen by the same practitioner. Points were U.B. 15, 17, 18, H7, P6, St40, Sp5, Sp6, and Lu1.
7. Han et al. 2002	All patients received daily electro acupuncture on Du 20 and Yintang for for 42 days) Patients given two additional points according to three different Chinese medical diagnoses
8. Manber et al. 2004	Acupuncture based differential diagnosis according to Chinese medical concepts/theories. These were developed according to a treatment manual developed by Schnyer. Patients were assessed monthly by one acupuncturist whilst others provided treatments. Treatment involved twelve sessions over 8 weeks. Responders received additional treatments
9. Allen et al. 2006	Acupuncture based differential diagnosis according to Chinese medical concepts/theories. These were developed according to a treatment manual developed by Schnyer. Patients were assessed by one acupuncturist whilst four others provided treatments which involved twelve sessions over 8 weeks