To compare the efficacy between moving cupping at Hechelu combined with rubbing method and western medication for depression of diabetes mellitus (DM).Two hundred and sixteen patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 108 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group were treated with moving cupping at Hechelu combined with rubbing method, once every: other day; six treatments were considered as one course, and totally two courses were given with an interval of: 4 days between courses. Patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules, once a day for consecutive 4 weeks. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and TCM symptom score were measured before treatment, after the treatment and in follow-up visit one and a half months after treatment. The fasting blood glucose was tested before and after treatment. The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was tested in the follow-up visit.The total effective rate was 90.9% (90/99) in the observation group, which was superior to 73.7% (70/95) in the control group (P 0.05).The Hechelu theory-based TCM treatment has better: efficacy for depression of diabetes mellitus than fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule, which has less adverse effects.