Publication Name	World Journal of Psychiatry
Manuscript ID	113049
Country	China

Category	Psychiatry
Manuscript Type	Systematic Reviews
Article Title	Acupuncture on 5-hydroxytryptamine levels and clinical outcomes in depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Yi Wang, Peng-Tao Wu, Ittipalanukul Penpat, Fei-Cui Zeng, Qun Lu and Zhi-Hai Hu
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Outstanding Young Medical Talents Training Program of the Health System in Pudong New District, Shanghai PWRq2023-37
Corresponding Author	Zhi-Hai Hu, Associate Professor, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibusion, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 230, Baoding Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 200082, China. shennong923@163.com
Key Words	Acupuncture; Depression; Meta-analysis; 5-hydroxytryptamine; Sleep disturbance; Anxiety
Core Tip	This meta-analysis focused exclusively on traditional manual acupuncture, excluding electroacupuncture, to determine its independent therapeutic effect on depression. Twenty randomized controlled trials were included. The findings reveal that acupuncture significantly improves depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, and serum 5-hydroxytryptamine levels, while reducing antidepressant-related side effects. By eliminating heterogeneity caused by different acupuncture modalities, this study provides stronger evidence for the clinical application of acupuncture as an effective adjunctive therapy for depression.
Citation	Wang Y, Wu PT, Penpat I, Zeng FC, Lu Q, Hu ZH. Acupuncture on 5-hydroxytryptamine levels and clinical outcomes in depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. World J Psychiatry 2025; In press

Received	2025-09-12 08:19
Peer-Review Started	2025-09-12 08:19
To Make the First Decision
Return for Revision	2025-10-13 03:09
Revised	2025-10-27 09:54
Second Decision	2025-11-18 01:39
Accepted by Journal Editor-in-Chief
Accepted by Executive Editor-in-Chief	2025-11-18 06:43
Articles in Press	2025-11-18 06:43
Publication Fee Transferred	2025-11-03 02:49
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Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	2220-3206 (online)
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