Electrical acupoint stimulation for psychiatric sequelae in women victims of domestic violence: study protocol for an assessor-blind randomized controlled trial.

Researchers are studying whether electrical acupoint stimulation—a technique that applies mild electrical currents to acupuncture points—can help women survivors of domestic violence who are experiencing depression and other mental health challenges. Domestic violence is a widespread public health issue that often leads to long-lasting psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep problems. Many survivors don't respond well to standard treatments or are hesitant to try talk therapy, which creates a need for alternative approaches.

This study will involve 110 women diagnosed with depression who have experienced domestic violence. Half will receive electrical acupoint stimulation treatments both in a clinic and at home for 12 weeks, while continuing their regular care. The other half will receive only their regular care during the study period. Researchers will measure changes in depression symptoms, stress levels, PTSD symptoms, sleep quality, and overall quality of life throughout the treatment period.

This is a study protocol, meaning the research is planned but results are not yet available. The combination of clinic visits and home-based treatment may make this approach more accessible and practical for women dealing with the aftermath of domestic violence. If the results prove positive, electrical acupoint stimulation could offer a valuable additional treatment option for this vulnerable population. The treatment may be particularly helpful for those who haven't found relief with conventional approaches or who prefer non-pharmaceutical interventions. If you're interested in acupuncture or electroacupuncture treatments, seek care from a licensed acupuncturist with appropriate training and credentials.

This assessor-blinded RCT protocol describes a 12-week study evaluating electrical acupoint stimulation (EAS) for psychiatric sequelae in women domestic violence survivors with depression. The study will randomize 110 participants 1:1 to receive either clinic-based plus home-based EAS combined with routine care, or routine care alone. The intervention integrates professional treatments with self-administered protocols to enhance accessibility and treatment adherence.

The primary outcome measure is change in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scores from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes include HAMD-17, PSS-10, PCL-C for PTSD symptoms, ISI for sleep disturbances, and SF-12 for quality of life. This population presents unique challenges, as domestic violence victims often demonstrate suboptimal first-line treatment responses and low psychological intervention acceptance rates.

Clinical implications: If efficacious, this hybrid clinic-home EAS model could provide an accessible, non-pharmaceutical adjunctive treatment for trauma-related psychiatric symptoms in domestic violence survivors, particularly those resistant to or uncomfortable with conventional psychological interventions. Results pending trial completion (NCT05102253).