Basic and clinical research on acupuncture for post-stroke depression: A narrative review

, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and oxidative stress, while modulating the brain-gut axis and homocysteine levels. Clinically, pure acupuncture, electroacupuncture, scalp/auricular acupuncture, and comprehensive therapies (combined with herbs, moxibustion, music, or rehabilitation) demonstrate efficacy in improving depressive symptoms and daily function. However, research gaps include standardized treatment protocols, mechanistic exploration, and large-scale controlled trials. This review underscores acupuncture's potential as a safe, multi-modal therapy for PSD and highlights areas for future research.