Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of electro-acupuncture and simple needling in the treatment of first-episode mild to moderate depression. Methods A total of 50 cases of first-episode mild to moderate depression were randomly divided into an electro-acupuncture group and an acupuncture group

with 25 cases in each group. Both groups selected same acupoints of Baihui（DU20）

Sishencong（EX-HN1）

Taiyang（EX-HN5）（bilateral）

Yintang（EX-HN3）

Hegu（LI4）（bilateral）. For the electro-acupuncture group

Baihui（DU20）

Yintang（EX-HN3）

Taiyang（EX-HN5）（bilateral） were connected to an electro-acupuncture apparatus with a frequency of1 Hz and continuous wave. Both groups were treated 3 time per week

for 6 weeks and followed up after 6 months.The Hamilton depression scale（HAMD） and Self-rating depression scale（SDS） were compared before and after treatment. HAMD was scored during follow-up period. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. Results Totally 23 cases were included for statistical analysis in the electro-acupuncture group

and 22 cases were included in the acupuncture group. The total effective rate was 91. 3% in the electro-acupuncture group and 68. 1% in the acupuncture group. There was no statistical significance between groups（P = 0. 16）. After treatment

the scores of HAMD and other factors scores in electro-acupuncture group and the acupuncture group were significantly decreased than before treatment（P < 0. 05）. The comparison of sleep disturbance factor between groups before and after treatment was statistically significant（P = 0. 01）. The SDS scores of the 2 groups were decreased than those before treatment（P < 0. 05）. The comparison of SDS scores between groups before and after treatment showed no significant difference（P > 0. 05）. There was no significant difference in HAMD scores between the 2 groups after treatment and at follow-up（P > 0. 05）. Conclusion Electro-acupuncture and simple acupuncture are effective in treating firstepisode mild to moderate depression

and the effect can be maintained after 6 months of treatment. Electro-acupuncture is more advantageous in improving sleep.