Objective To discuss the point selection characteristics and rules of prescription for acupuncture in treatment of depression. Method Clinical literature on acupuncture in treatment of depression in recent five years were retrieved by retrospective document research; the number of point and use frequency were calculated, and their characteristics and rules were analyzed by means of bibliometrics. Result One hundred and seventy-seven papers about acupuncture in treatment of depression were retrieved with 158 acupoints used for 1 630 times in total, including B ihuì（百会 GV 20）, Tàichōng（太冲 LR 3）, Sānyīnjiāo（三阴交 SP 6）, and Shénmén（神门 HT 7）, which were used most frequently. In view of meridians, governor vessel, the foot-taiyang bladder meridian and the foot-jueyin liver meridian were used most frequently, fiveshu points were used frequently in specific points, and the most frequently used point combination was distal and local point combination. Conclusion The primary prescription for acupuncture in treatment of depression is GV 20 in combination with distal LR 3, SP 6, HT 7, and other points.
