Electroacupuncture on Treating Cancer-related Depression

"Participants in this group will receive electroacupuncture (EA) based on a semi-standardized protocol. Each treatment session will involve needling at six main acupoints and two supplementary points, selected based on individual symptoms.~* Main acupoints: Baihui (GV20), Yintang (EX-HN3), Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), bilateral Zusanli (ST36), bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP6).~* Supplementary acupoints: Selected from Shenting (GV24), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengchi (GB20), Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI4), Shenmen (HT7), Yanglingquan (GB34), Taixi (KI3), and Taichong (LR3).~All patients will be placed in the supine position. After routine disinfection of all acupoints using 75% alcohol, needles will be inserted using a gentle tapping technique. Once Deqi sensation is achieved, three pairs of electrodes from an EA device will be connected to the handles of the needles at Baihui and Yintang, and bilaterally at Zusanli and Sanyinjiao. Each treatment session will last for 30 minutes."

"Participants in this group will receive superficial acupuncture at six pseudo-acupoints that do not correspond to any recognized meridian or traditional acupoint. These points are anatomically matched in location (head, upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk) to the main acupoints used in the electroacupuncture group but are located at non-meridian, non-acupoint sites in a horizontal position. Acupuncture needles will be connected to an electroacupuncture device with broken wires and thus no electrical stimulation is actually delivered.~All patients will be placed in a supine position. After routine disinfection of the selected sites using 75% alcohol, adhesive pads will be gently affixed to the designated locations. A blunt-tipped, retractable needle will then be used to lightly tap the pad, without penetrating the skin, until the patient perceives a tactile sensation, at which point the stimulation will be stopped. The needle will be retained for 30 minutes."

"All participants, regardless of group assignment, will receive standard care as part of routine oncological and psychological management. Standard care includes:~* Basic psychological support: General psychological counseling or emotional support provided by nursing staff or clinical psychologists as needed, without structured psychotherapy or pharmacological antidepressant interventions unless clinically indicated.~* Health education: Guidance on sleep hygiene, nutrition, and stress management, along with education about cancer-related emotional symptoms and coping strategies.~* Medication management: Participants will continue their current medications for chronic comorbidities (e.g., antihypertensives, antidiabetics) as previously prescribed. However, cancer-related medications associated with active treatment-such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or hormonal therapy-will be excluded during the trial period to avoid confounding effects."