Holistic approaches that may be helpful for depression Acupuncture may improve depression by affecting the synthesis of neurotransmitters that control mood. Controlled trials have found electro-acupuncture (acupuncture accompanied by electrical currents) equally effective as antidepressant drug therapy without causing side effects. However, a controlled trial found that both real and fake acupuncture improved depression equally well compared to no treatment. in Public bookmarkswith acupunturedepressioninsomniatreatment Note: Holistic approaches that may be helpful for depression