Evaluating the effectiveness of integrated traditional Chinese and Western treatment based on symptom grading: a study protocol for a multi-center, randomized controlled trial of patients with depressive disorder.

Background: Approximately one-third of depressed individuals receive treatment globally. The application rate of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating depression globally remains relatively low. The proposed study presents a pilot trial to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions at different levels in improving depression status in community populations.