ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points in treating postpartum depression and its effect on the quality of life. Methods Sixty patients with postpartum depression were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points, while the control group was by oral administration of Fluoxetine. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and the Short-Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) were compared before and after intervention. Results The HMAD score was significantly changed in both groups after intervention (P＜0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the HAMD score between the two groups after intervention (P＜0.05). There were significant differences in comparing the post-treatment bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), mental health (MH), and health transition (HT) between the two groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points can effectively improve the postpartum depression and the quality of life.