Objective To observe the efficacy of regulating-spirit freeing-vessels acupuncture

electro-acupuncture（ EA） and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation（ rTMS） for geriatric depression.Methods Totally 72 cases of geriatric depression were randomized into the treatment group and control group

with 36 in each.Both groups were given EA and rTMS as the basic treatment.The patients in the control group were orally taken 20 mg of fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules once daily.The treatment group was added with regulating-spirit freeing-vessels acupuncture.Both groups were treated for 8 weeks.The scores of Hamilton Depression Scale were recorded before treatment and in the 2nd

4th

6th and 8th week after treatment.The efficacy was evaluated.Results The total effective rate of the treatment group and control group were 72.22% and 63.89% respectively

with no significant difference between groups（ P > 0.05）.The anxiety factor scores were significantly decreased in the 2nd

4th

6th and 8th week after treatment in the treatment group（ P < 0.05） and significantly decreased in the 4th

6th and 8th week after treatment in the control group（ P < 0.05）

with a significant difference between groups in the 2nd

4th

6th and 8th week（ P < 0.05）.The scores of sleep disorders factor were significantly decreased in the 4th

6th and 8th week after treatment in the treatment group（ P < 0.05） and significantly decreased in the 6th and 8th week after treatment in the control group（ P < 0.05）

with a significant difference between groups in the 4th and 8th week（ P < 0.05）.Conclusion The combo therapy of regulating-spirit freeing-vessels acupuncture

EA and rTMS is effective and safe for geriatric depression and it can obviously relieve anxiety and sleep disorders.