Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of the treatment of acupuncture &decoctions for depression in German patients.Methods 120 hospitalized patients with depression in Germany received individulized TCM decoctions plus acupuncture treatment based on syndrome differentiation with acupoints selected mainly from the Governor Vessel

the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin

and the Heart Meridianof Hand-Shaoyin. The scores of self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS)

dosage of antidepressants and changes of clinical symptoms were observed before and after treatment.Results Among the 120 cases treated with traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture

19 cases were markedly effective

66 cases were effective

32 cases were ineffective and3 cases were aggravated

with a total effective rate of 70.8%.At 6 months after discharge

48 cases were followed up

accounting for 40.0% of the cases.Among them

36 cases (75.0%) were continuously effective.After treatment

SDS scores of 120 cases decreased significantly

as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05).The SAS score of 90 patients with anxiety was significantly lower after treatment than before treatment (P<0.05).Among the 120 cases

70 cases (58.3%) reduced the amount of antidepressants

and 20 cases (16.7%) stopped using antidepressants.Fatigue improved in 86 cases

accounting for 71.7%;anxiety symptoms improved in 78 cases

accounting for 65.0%;sleep disorders improved in 75 cases

accounting for 62.5%.Conclusions The combination of acupuncture and decoctions is effective for depression among German patients

which is worth further study and promotion. Abstract