A pilot study was conducted by the University of Western Australia by the School of Neurosciences and Psychiatry. As with all pilot studies these initial findings need to be investigated further in additional studies to see if the findings of acupuncture helping with depression is reproducible. This is a very small sample size and much larger and robustly designed studies need to be undertaken to appropriately draw any conclusions of the effect of acupuncture for depression. A systematic review such as those conducted by Cochrane library are considered to be more sound indicator as they are considered the gold standard. Currently although some low level evidence was found indicating there may be an association with the reduction in the severity of depression, the quality of the studies are called into question and any effect from them should be interpreted with caution - Further info here. A need for further high quality well designed studies is required
Acupuncture Research Abstract
AIMS: Aims were to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbs as treatments for depression, and to assess beliefs, attitudes and treatment experience.
METHOD: Participants received acupuncture or acupuncture and Chinese herbs combined for five weeks. Acupuncture was given for 30min twice a week and herbs taken three times a day. A Beliefs and Attitudes questionnaire was administered at baseline and Treatment Experience questionnaire post treatment. Outcome measure was improvement in depressive symptoms at the end of treatment period.
RESULTS: Nineteen participants completed 5 weeks of treatment, 12 in the acupuncture group and 7 in the combined group. Treatment significantly improved depressive symptoms, however, there were no differences between groups. At baseline, participants were positive about the perceived effectiveness of treatment, and treatment experiences were positive.
CONCLUSION: Acupuncture was effective in reducing depressive symptoms. However, herbs did not have an additional treatment effect. Beliefs and attitudes were positive.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23059435